I
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5869
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 22, 2008
Mr. Rodriguez (for himself, Mr. Engel, and Mr. Reyes) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To authorize additional resources to identify and eliminate illicit sources of firearms smuggled into Mexico for use by violent drug trafficking organizations, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Southwest Border Violence Reduction
Act of 2008
.
Project gunrunner
In general
The Attorney General shall dedicate and expand the resources provided for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals involved in the trafficking of firearms across the international border between the United States and Mexico.
Activities
In carrying out this section, the Attorney General shall—
assign additional agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to the area of the United States adjacent to the international border between the United States and Mexico to support the expansion of Project Gunrunner;
establish not fewer than 1 Project Gunrunner team in each State along the international border between the United States and Mexico; and
coordinate with the heads of other relevant Federal law enforcement agencies and State and local law enforcement agencies to address firearms trafficking in a comprehensive manner.
Additional staff
The Attorney General may hire additional persons to be Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agents for, and may use such other resources as may be necessary to adequately support, Project Gunrunner.
Authorization of Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to carry out this section.
Enhanced international cooperation
In general
The Attorney General, in cooperation with the Secretary of State, shall—
assign agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to the United States mission in Mexico, specifically in areas adjacent to the international border, to work with Mexican law enforcement agencies in conducting investigations relating to firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises;
provide the equipment and technological resources necessary to support investigations and to trace firearms recovered in Mexico; and
support the training of vetted Mexican law enforcement officers in serial number restoration techniques and canine explosive detection.
Authorization of Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $9,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to carry out this section.