Buddy Roemer on Gun Control

Stricter penalties for firearm use during felonies

Redefines such offense as using a firearm to commit a felony or carrying a firearm during such a felony involving violence. Deletes the requirement that the firearm be carried "unlawfully".

Increases the additional penalty imposed for such offense to not less than five years' imprisonment for a first offense (currently, one to ten years) and ten years for a second or subsequent offense (currently, two to 25 years).

Extends to first offenders the stipulations, currently applicable only to second offenders, that the court not suspend any sentence, grant probation, or impose concurrent sentences.

Makes a first offender ineligible for parole for five years & a second or subsequent offender ineligible for ten years.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the executive prosecute vigorously such offenses.

Federal gun controls cannot override state gun laws

• Amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 to declare that no provision shall be construed to preempt a State law on the same subject matter, unless there is a direct and positive conflict between the laws which cannot be reconciled.
• Declares that Congress does intend to preempt any local government law which prohibits or regulates the ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition, unless the local law is created by Federal or State law.
• Makes any local government which enacts a law conflicting with this Act ineligible to receive Federal funds for law enforcement.