I
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3155
To amend title 18, United States Code, to impose stiffer penalties on persons
convicted of lesser drug offenses.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 4, 1998
Mr. GOODLING (for himself and Mr. MANTON) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to impose stiffer
penalties on persons convicted of lesser drug offenses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROHIBITION AGAINST POSSES-
SION OF A FIREARM BY, OR TRANSFER OF A
FIREARM TO, PERSONS CONVICTED OF A
DRUG CRIME.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 922 of title 18, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the follow-
ing:
HR 3155 IH
‘‘(y)(1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it
shall be unlawful for any individual who has been con-
victed in any court of a drug crime to possess a firearm
during the period described in subparagraph (B).
‘‘(B) The period described in this subparagraph is the
period that begins with the date the individual is convicted
of the drug crime and ends—
‘‘(i) 5 years later; or
‘‘(ii) if, during such 5-year period, the individ-
ual is convicted of violating any Federal or State law
relating to firearms, 5 years after such later convic-
tion.
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to
convictions occurring on or before the date of the enact-
ment of this subsection.
‘‘(z)(1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it
shall be unlawful for any person to transfer a firearm to
any individual knowing or having reasonable cause to be-
lieve that the individual is under indictment for a drug
crime.
‘‘(B)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall
be unlawful for any person, during the period described
in clause (ii), to transfer a firearm to any individual know-
ing or having reasonable cause to believe that the individ-
ual has been convicted in any court of a drug crime.
HR 3155 IH
‘‘(ii) The period described in this clause is the period
that begins with the date the individual is convicted of
the drug crime and ends—
‘‘(I) 5 years later; or
‘‘(II) if, during such 5-year period, the individ-
ual is convicted of violating any Federal or State law
relating to firearms, 5 years after such later convic-
tion.
‘‘(2) The second sentence of subsection (d) shall
apply in like manner to paragraph (1) of this subsection.’’.
(b) PENALTY.—Section 924(a)(1)(B) of such title is
amended by inserting ‘‘(y)(1), or (z)(1)’’ before ‘‘of section
922’’.
SEC. 2. ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION OF A
FIREARM DURING A DRUG CRIME.
Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(p) Whoever, during and in relation to a drug crime
(including a drug crime which provides for an enhanced
punishment if committed by the use of a deadly or dan-
gerous weapon or device) for which he may be prosecuted
in a court of the United States, possesses a firearm, in
addition to the punishment provided for such drug crime,
may be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 15
days and not more than 2 years, and shall be fined not
HR 3155 IH
less than $2,500 and not more than $10,000, and if the
firearm is a machinegun, or is equipped with a firearm
silencer or firearm muffler, shall be sentenced to imprison-
ment for 15 years. In the case of a second or subsequent
conviction under this subsection, such person shall be sen-
tenced to imprisonment for not less than 15 days and not
more than 2 years, and shall be fined not less than $2,500
and not more than $10,000, and if the firearm is a ma-
chinegun, or is equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm
muffler, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for 30 years.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court
shall not place on probation or suspend the sentence of
any person convicted of a violation of this subsection, nor
shall the term of imprisonment imposed under this sub-
section run concurrently with any other term of imprison-
ment including that imposed for the drug crime in which
the firearm was possessed.’’.
SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF DRUG CRIME.
Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(34) The term ‘drug crime’ means any offense
(other than a drug trafficking crime) punishable by im-
prisonment under—
‘‘(A) any Act specified in section 924(c)(2); or