J.C. Watts: “for months we have engaged in a national debate or rhetoric on the issue of gun violence. Both sides of the political…”

“for months we have engaged in a national debate or rhetoric on the issue of gun violence. Both sides of the political spectrum have had their opinion on how to end gun violence in our country. Today, this body will consider common sense legislation that will be the first step to ending gun violence. Today, this Congress sends a simple and convincing message to criminals around the country. If you are a convicted felon and are in the possession of a firearm you will go to prison for at last 5 years. If you possess a firearm on school property in a threatening manner you will go to prison for at least 5 years. If you possess a firearm and illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine you will go to prison for at least 5 years. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree that tougher enforcement of gun laws is needed. We all have a common goal. Today we make our goal a reality. Today, we give our state and local governments the means to achieve this desired goal. We have the opportunity to provide $100 million dollars in grants to our states to prosecute violators of gun laws. This money will be used to hire and train judges, hire criminal prosecutors, and pay for new prisons to hold those convicted of violating our gun laws. Today we will start making our gun laws work, we will start enforcing them across the country. I urge all of my colleagues to stand together today and send a message to all criminals across America.”