Introducing the Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking Crime Prevention Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I proudly introduce The Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking & Crime Prevention Act of 2016, the House companion legislation to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's bill in the Senate.

This legislation would establish gun trafficking as a federal crime. Specifically, it increases the penalties for those directly involved in the illegal movement of guns across state lines, those who organize the gun trafficking rings and those who conspire to traffic guns.

Additionally, this legislation enforces gun trafficking as a federal crime punishable of up to twenty years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines under Title 18. This legislation tackles firearm trafficking at each stage by also increasing the penalties for all personnel involved in the illegal movement of guns, including those who participate in trafficking rings and those who conspire to traffic guns.

Only 1 out of 10 guns used in a crime is wielded by the original purchaser and 1 in 3 guns used in criminal acts cross state lines. Ninety percent of guns found at crime scenes in New York City were originally purchased out of state and illegally brought to the city. Unfortunately, current crime laws are arbitrary: the act of selling guns without the necessary federal license carries the same punishment as trafficking chickens and cows across state lines. This critical legislation would not only make gun trafficking a federal crime, but it will also provide tools to law enforcement to get illegal guns off the streets, away from criminal networks and street gangs, and prosecute those who traffic firearms.

The bill was named after Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard--two high school students who were killed in recent years. In both cases, the individuals were killed by people that were in illegal possession of a firearm. Hadiya Pendleton was killed in Chicago, when shots were fired into a crowd of people. The shots were intended for members of the shooter's rival gang. Nyasia Pryear was killed in Brooklyn, while with friends. Witnesses said the shooting was gang related.

The Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking & Crime Prevention Act of 2016 is common sense legislation that should be supported by all Members of the House. I ask my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this legislation.

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