I
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6178
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 26, 2006
Mr. McGovern (for himself and Mr. English of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To prohibit the procurement of victim-activated landmines and other weapons that are designed to be victim-activated.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Victim-Activated Landmine Abolition
Act of 2006
.
Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
Victim-activated landmines and other weapons that are designed to be victim-activated indiscriminately threaten lives in more than 80 countries. Civilians, including tens of thousands of children, have been the primary victims of these weapons.
Victim-activated landmines and other weapons that are designed to be victim-activated have killed and maimed United States and coalition troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere.
The United States was the first nation to call for a comprehensive ban on antipersonnel landmines in 1994 and has not exported antipersonnel mines since 1992, produced antipersonnel landmines since 1997, or used antipersonnel landmines since 1991.
The United States sets an example for the world by remaining a global leader in funding for mine clearance, mine risk education, and mine survivor assistance.
The United States has acquired reliable technology that enables all weapons to be equipped with man-in-the-loop targeting and triggering capabilities, meaning that the device can be activated only in response to an intentional act by a person.
Sense of Congress
The United States Government should continue to set an example for other countries by banning procurement of victim-activated landmines and other weapons that are designed to be victim-activated.
Prohibition
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Government may not procure victim-activated landmines or any other weapon designed to be victim-activated in any circumstance.