Statement by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) on the House Floor,
and Extension of remarks in the Congressional Record.
Re: introduction of HR 1245, the Internet Gun Trafficking Act.
Date: March 24, 1999.
Source: Congressional Record, March 24, pages H1604 and E535.

(Mr. RUSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, right now gun sales take place on the Internet with no checks and balances. An illegal gun dealer can simply have his name, address, and telephone number listed on a web site, making himself available for contact by an unlicensed gun purchaser. These transactions can be executed without being subjected to any Federal regulations. Most of these sales go on unbeknownst to Federal authorities.

We have to close this gun trafficking loophole on the Internet today; and today, that is precisely what I am doing. I am introducing the Gun Trafficking Act of 1999. This legislation will place a licensed manufacturer or dealer between the seller and buyer.

As a middle man, this licensed dealer will facilitate the gun sale and will ship the gun purchases to a licensed dealer in the buyer's State. No longer will unlicensed dealers and buyers have a free reign and easy access on the Internet.

HON. BOBBY L. RUSH
in the House of Representatives
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1999

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Internet Gun Trafficking Act of 1999. Currently, unlicensed individuals are able to sell and unlicensed buyers are able to buy firearms over the Internet. Moreover, web site operators, who are not licensed gun dealers, facilitate firearms transactions between buyers and sellers. Web site operators run web sites which provide space for unlicensed individuals to post guns for sale. The web sites give names, phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses of sellers, to allow potential buyers the opportunity to contact the sellers directly for the purchase of firearms. These transactions, while facilitated by the web site operator are not monitored by the web site operator, thus occurring out of anyone's eyesight, including law enforcement. As a result, many individuals, including children and felons are able to purchase firearms illegally and evade the law.

My bill will end the unlicensed selling of guns over the Internet. Web site operators who offer firearms for sale or otherwise facilitate the sale of firearms listed or posted over the Internet, must become federally licensed firearm manufacturers, importers or dealers. Additionally, as an aid to law enforcement, licensed firearm dealers-web site operators are required to notify the Secretary of the Treasury of their web site address, as would any individual who operates a web site which offers for sale or otherwise facilitates the sale of firearms.

Furthermore, to ensure legal firearm transactions over the Internet, individuals who on behalf of other persons, lists or posts firearms for sale over the Internet will have to establish themselves as `middlemen.' All guns sold from the `middleman's' web site, must be shipped directly to the `middleman.' The `middleman' is then required to transfer the firearms to the buyer in accordance with federal firearm laws, including laws which require that firearms are shipped directly to a licensed dealer in the unlicensed buyer's state. The `middleman' is prohibited from providing any information which would facilitate direct contact between the seller and the buyer. Finally, unlicensed individuals who offer firearms for sale over the Internet may only transfer those firearms directly to the web site operator.

I hope that my introduction of the Internet Gun Trafficking Act of 1999 will call attention to the need to regulate gun sales in this new era of Internet firearm transactions.