Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, re-introduced legislation to prevent guns from getting into the hands of dangerous sex offenders.  While it is against federal law for a person convicted of a felony to buy, sell or possess guns or ammunition, it is perfectly legal if he or she has been convicted of one or more misdemeanor sex crimes against a minor.  The Keep Kids Safe Act of 2011 would make it illegal under federal law for someone convicted of a misdemeanor sex crime against a minor to transfer, receive or possess firearms or ammunition.

“Today, there is still a dangerous and inappropriate gap in our law when it comes to keeping Americans safe from predators with guns,” said Nadler.  “Let’s once and for all act to prevent people convicted of misdemeanor sex crimes against children from having access to dangerous weapons.”

The Keep Kids Safe Act targets dangerous criminals who have already shown a propensity to prey upon children.  The bill is modeled after the firearms ban which applies to those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes.  This ban, enacted in 1996, prevented almost 14,000 criminals from gaining access to firearms in 2009 alone, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.  The bill would also make it a crime for anyone to provide offenders with firearms or ammunition.  Defendants’ due process would be protected, as the bill contains provisions covering trial by jury, right to counsel, pardons, and conviction expungement or set aside.  The legislation has the support of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the Violence Policy Center, and Mayors Against Illegal Guns.