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McCain urges Congress to Help Parents Protect Kids from Violence
May 10, 1999
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today said Congressmust help parents protect children from the growing problem of youth violence and
announced new legislation to address the situation.
"The recent tragedy in Colorado has shaken our nation's collective conscience and brought home the degree to which we are failing to protect our children," said McCain. "While primary responsibility lies with families, parents need help protecting children who are assaulted daily with a tide of violence that pervades our society. We must press the fight against youth violence on every front."
McCain has introduced the "Youth Violence Prevention Act of 1999," S. 991, which would extend earlier efforts to keep guns out of the hands of children and protect kids from violent offenders who would prey on them. Specifically, McCain's legislation would prevent juveniles from illegal access to weapons and punishes those who would assist them in doing so. The bill also prohibits juveniles who commit acts
of gun violence from purchasing guns in the future; sentences juveniles convicted of violent crimes under adult guidelines; and punishes juveniles who illegally carry or use handguns in schools.
"The malady of youth violence that is eating at the soul of this nation is a complex disease that will require a multi-faceted cure," said McCain. "We need to focus on halting the spread of violent crime and punishing violent criminals who abuse their Second Amendment rights, while preserving those same rights for
law-abiding Americans."
McCain has already offered two other measures to combat the growing violent trend among youths. He joined several colleagues to successfully urge the White House to convene a summit on media violence and he has called on the Surgeon General to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of media violence.
"What we must have, if there is any hope, is the unqualified commitment of all Americans to raise our children, to put them first. I urge all Americans to get involved in their kids' lives. Ask questions, listen to their fears and concerns, their hopes and their dreams," McCain said.
BILL SUMMARY ATTACHED
"Youth Violence Prevention Act" S. 991 Introduced by Senator John McCain
Section 2: Juvenile Brady Provision:
* Extends the Gun Control Act Prohibited Purchases Provisions to Include Juveniles:
* Currently, juveniles who have committed serious violent felonies are permitted under federal law, to be able to legally purchase weapons once they turn eighteen. This legislation would prohibit them from doing so.
Section 3: Enhanced Straw Purchases Penalties:
* Whoever illegally purchases a weapon for another individual, knowing that the recipient intends to commit a violent felony, may be imprisoned up to 15 years. Currently, the maximum term is 10 years for a simple straw purchase.
* Whoever illegally purchases a weapon for a juvenile, knowing that the recipient intends to commit a violent felony may be imprisoned up to 20 years. This is a 10 year maximum sentence increase over a simple straw purchase for juvenile offense.
Section 4: Juvenile Weapons Penalties:
* If a juvenile illegally possesses a handgun, and violates the Gun Free School Zone law with the intent to carry, or otherwise possess or discharge or otherwise use the handgun or ammunition in the commission of a violent felony, they may be imprisoned to up to 20 years.
* If a person transfers a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile knowing that the juvenile intends to commit a violent felony, they may be imprisoned up to 20 years.
* Where a juvenile has committed a violent offense that would constitute a "violent felony" if they were an adult that juvenile will be sentenced as an adult, and would not be eligible to be paroled simply because they turn eighteen.
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