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H.R.3085 / 104th Congress

Hard Time for Gun Crimes Act of 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 14, 1996

Hard Time for Gun Crimes Act of 1996 - Revises the Federal criminal code to provide for mandatory prison terms for possessing, brandishing, or discharging (currently, limited to using or carrying) a firearm or destructive device during a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, with exceptions. Directs the court to sentence specified convicted persons, such as a fugitive or an unlawful user of or addict to a controlled substance, to not less than ten years in prison if the person has a prior conviction for a serious violent felony and to not less than 30 years in prison if the person has two such prior convictions.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Christensen, Jon [R-NE-2] · R–NE

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E393)

  3. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  4. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E365)

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

  7. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1491-1492)

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3085 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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