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Public Law105th CongressCrime and Law Enforcement
S. 191Became Law

A bill to throttle criminal use of guns.

This bill became law

Filed
Comm.
Floor
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Law

What it doesSummary passed house amended (Oct 9, 1998)

Amends the Federal criminal code to set: (1) a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for possession of a firearm in furtherance of (currently, for using or carrying a firearm during) the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; (2) a seven-year mandatory minimum sentence if the firearm is brandished; and (3) a ten-year mandatory sentence if the firearm possessed, used, or carried is discharged.

Provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 (currently, 20) years for second or subsequent convictions of such an offense.

Redefines "serious violent felony" to cover possession of such firearms. Defines "brandish" to mean displaying all or part of a firearm, or otherwise making the presence of the firearm known to another person, in order to intimidate, regardless of whether it is directly visible to that person.

What just happenedNov 13, 1998

Became Public Law No: 105-386.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC](R-NC)Sponsor
16 cosponsors16 R
Read on Congress.gov
16cosponsors2committees29actions3related bills15subjects
  1. Nov 13, 1998PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 105-386.

  2. Nov 13, 1998BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 105-386.

  3. Nov 13, 1998PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. Nov 13, 1998BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Nov 2, 1998FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Nov 2, 1998President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Oct 15, 1998Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Oct 15, 1998ResolvingDifferences

    Senate agreed to House amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12631)

  9. Oct 15, 1998NotUsed20500

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12631)

  10. Oct 10, 1998Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

  11. Oct 9, 1998FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  12. Oct 9, 1998FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  13. Oct 9, 1998Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  14. Oct 9, 1998FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  15. Oct 9, 1998FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10329-10331)

  16. Oct 9, 1998FloorH30300

    Mr. McCollum moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  17. Jan 30, 1998CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  18. Jan 27, 1998IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  19. Jan 27, 1998Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  20. Jan 27, 1998FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  21. Nov 13, 1997Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12711-12712)

  22. Nov 13, 1997Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12711-12712)

  23. Nov 6, 1997Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 266.

  24. Nov 6, 1997Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  25. Nov 6, 1997Committee14000

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  26. Nov 6, 1997Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Judiciary Committee
  27. May 8, 1997Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-119.

    Judiciary Committee
  28. Jan 22, 1997IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  29. Jan 22, 1997IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed House amendedOct 9, 199836

Amends the Federal criminal code to set: (1) a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for possession of a firearm in furtherance of (currently, for using or carrying a firearm during) the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; (2) a seven-year mandatory minimum sentence if the firearm is brandished; and (3) a ten-year mandatory sentence if the firearm possessed, used, or carried is discharged.

Provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 (currently, 20) years for second or subsequent convictions of such an offense.

Redefines "serious violent felony" to cover possession of such firearms. Defines "brandish" to mean displaying all or part of a firearm, or otherwise making the presence of the firearm known to another person, in order to intimidate, regardless of whether it is directly visible to that person.

Passed Senate amendedNov 13, 199735

Amends the Federal criminal code to set: (1) a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for possession of a firearm in furtherance of (currently, for using or carrying a firearm during) the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime; and (2) a ten-year mandatory sentence if the firearm possessed, used, or carried is discharged.

Provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 (currently, 20) years for second or subsequent convictions of such an offense.

Redefines "serious violent felony" to cover such firearms possession.

Introduced in SenateJan 22, 199700

Amends the Federal criminal code to set a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for possessing (currently, for using or carrying) a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime, to set a ten-year mandatory sentence if the firearm is discharged, to impose a sentence of life imprisonment or death if the death of any person results, and to require a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 (currently, 20) years for second or subsequent convictions of such an offense.

A bill to throttle criminal use of guns. — Informed