(Warwick, R.I.) Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today voiced his extreme displeasure over the passage of an amendment that will prohibit any funds from the Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Act for FY 2007 from being used to enforce the trigger lock law that went into effect on April 24.

The Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 states that all licensed manufacturers, importers and dealers must provide a trigger lock with every handgun they sell. The bill’s intent was to promote the safe storage and use of handguns by consumers and to prevent unauthorized persons, including children, from using handguns.

“This legislation, which was signed into law by the President last fall, is good common sense and would work to address the large number of firearm injuries and deaths that occur when users mistakenly fire guns they believe are not loaded,” said Langevin. “Once again, the Republicans have distorted the intentions of good legislation designed to keep Americans safe by claiming it is too expensive to mandate and enforce.”

The amendment, proposed by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO), passed 230-191 and was included in the final House passage of H.R. 5672 - Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Act for FY 2007.

H.R. 5672 must still be reconciled with the Senate’s version, to be considered later this year. “I am hopeful that the final conference report will recognize the importance of the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 and restore funding for this life-saving legislation,” said Langevin, who was paralyzed in an accidental shooting at age 16.

According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, every year more than 30,000 Americans are killed by guns, including more than 2,800 young people, and in the millions of American homes where children and firearms are present, 40 percent had at least one unlocked firearm. 

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