To reauthorize the ban on undetectable firearms.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3348) to reauthorize the ban on undetectable firearms, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3348, the bill currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, in the last few years, we have had to make a lot of adjustments in security for our Nation's airports, government buildings, and ports. We have recognized that this heightened security is necessary to protect the United States from terrorist threats. However, even before the events of September 11, 2001, Members of Congress

recognized the possibility of threats from terrorists, both from within and without our borders.

In 1988, Congress passed a ban on undetectable firearms to prevent the manufacture, sale, importation, shipping, possession, transfer, or receipt of firearms that could not be detected by metal detectors or x- ray machines. Since passengers are not permitted to bring firearms on to planes and individuals cannot bring firearms into government buildings, it only makes sense that we ensure that the firearms purchased in this country are detectable by the security machines in those places.

The Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 provided a sunset on the ban after 10 years to take into account any changes in technology of security machines or firearms. The ban was extended in 1998 for an additional 5 years, and H.R. 3348 would extend this ban for an additional 10 years. The penalties will remain the same: any violation of the ban is punishable by a fine or imprisonment up to 5 years.

It is easy to see why this ban, now more than ever before, must be extended. This is not the time to put our Nation's airports in jeopardy by allowing individuals to pass through security with undetected firearms. Plastic firearms, which are real guns that can do real harm, can breach this security. We can prevent that by prohibiting the manufacture of plastic firearms in the first place, and that is what this bill does.

I would point out that both the National Rifle Association and the U.S. Department of Justice support this legislation. I would like to read into the Record a letter which I received 2 days ago from Chuck Cunningham, director of Federal affairs for the NRA:

Dear Chairman Sensenbrenner: On behalf of our 4 million

members, I am writing to express our support for H.R. 3348,

your legislation to extend the sunset of the restriction of

undetectable firearms.

``It is very important to be absolutely clear about the

history of this legislation. When originally passed in 1988,

the Undetectable Firearms Act did not ban any existing

firearm. The extension of this restriction would also not

prohibit any firearm in production today. This legislation

was and still is purely preventive. The sunset provision was

included as a way to balance the possible future development

of nonmetallic firearms against likely improvements in

detection technology. The statute also allows the executive

branch to reduce restrictions under the bill to adapt to

those changes.

``Based on the current state of firearms and detection

technology, we believe that a straight 10-year extension is

an appropriate way to allow continued flexibility, while

removing the issue beyond current political debates. Please

let me know if we can be of assistance in the speedy passage

of this legislation.

This is signed, ``Charles H. Cunningham, Director of Federal Affairs'' for the National Rifle Association.

I believe that this is commonsense legislation. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, it is gratifying that Congress is finally acting to renew one of the Nation's essential protections against terrorism.

The Undetectable Firearms Act--also known as the ``plastic gun'' law--makes it illegal to manufacture, import, possess, or transfer a firearm that is not detectable by walk-through metal detectors or airport x-ray machines. Only firearms necessary for certain military and intelligence uses are exempt.

This law was first enacted in 1988, long before the attacks on 9/11, and it is more important than ever now. It has been extended once since it was first enacted, but it is scheduled to expire on December 10th. Its expiration would result in Americans in all parts of the Nation becoming needlessly vulnerable to gun violence in airlines, airports, schools, office buildings, and many other places, and even to terrorist attacks.

The technology of gun manufacturers has significantly improved since the 1980's--and the determination of terrorists to attack Americans has soared. We know that terrorists are exploiting the weaknesses and loopholes in our gun laws. In 2000, a member of the Middle East terrorist group Hezbollah was convicted in Detroit on gun charges and conspiracy to ship guns and ammunition to Lebanon. He had purchased many of those weapons at gun shows in Michigan. In the war in Afghanistan, American soldiers discovered a terrorist training manual entitled ``How Can I Train Myself for Jihad'' in a house in that country. One part of the manual stated: ``In other countries, e.g. some states of USA . . . it is perfectly legal for members of the public to own certain types of firearms. If you live in such a country, obtain an assault rifle legally . . . learn how to use it properly and go and practice in the areas allowed for such training.''

Last month, I introduced a bill, S. 1774, to renew the Undetectable Firearms Act and repeal the sunset provision. The bill now before us, H.R. 3348, extends the sunset provision for another 10 years. The danger to security from undetectable firearms won't sunset, and the law that bans them shouldn't sunset either. Nevertheless, I am encouraged that Congress is taking action, and I look forward to the renewal of this gun ban being signed into law.

This measure is only one of several steps that Congress should take to protect our citizens from gun violence. We also need to strengthen criminal background checks for gun purchases under the Brady Law, renew the assault weapons ban, and close the ``gun show loophole'' once and for all. Each of these gun-safety measures is needed to protect our people in communities across the country. I urge my colleagues to support the pending bill, and to act on these other vital measures as well.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary for his leadership on this issue. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, we need to do much more to prevent dangerous firearms from falling into the hands of would-be terrorists and other violent criminals.

We could start by renewing the current assault weapons ban. We could also strengthen criminal background checks and close the gun show loophole so that rogue gun dealers will not be able to evade the current spirit of the law and sell guns to criminals and suspected terrorists. Finally, we need to protect us from firearms that cannot be detected by metal detectors or x-ray machines.

The bill before us today achieves the last of these objectives. It renews the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988, also known as the Plastic Gun Law, which makes it illegal to manufacture, import, possess, or transfer a firearm that is not detectable by walk-through metal detectors or airport x-ray machines.

Renewing the ban on plastic guns is vital. The gun industry clearly has the technology to manufacture firearms that cannot be detected by metal detectors or x-ray machines. As early as 1986, the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment determined that the ``technology does exist to manufacture certain firearms which would be completely or almost completely nonmetallic'' and that ``plastic handguns may be available on the commercial market quite soon.''

Indeed, shortly thereafter, in 1986, an attempt was made by Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi to purchase more than 100 firearms produced in Austria and constructed almost entirely out of hardened plastic.

With the ongoing war on terrorism, it is even more important than ever that we take an aggressive stance against dangerous weapons that make our society vulnerable to future terrorist-related attacks. H.R. 3348 was introduced with this in mind; and while I would strongly prefer to make this bill permanent and not just an extension, I think the extension is an important step in the right direction, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3348 which is at the desk.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.