THE WHITE HOUSE AT WORK



Thursday, September 9, 1999

PRESIDENT CLINTON:
WORKING TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM GUN VIOLENCE

"No one asks you when you're a victim of a crime whether you're a Republican or a Democrat. It is an American issue beyond the confines of the Capital City and it should become America's cause as Congress returns to work."

President Bill Clinton
Thursday, September 9, 1999

Today at the White House, President Clinton, joined by mayors and police chiefs from across the nation, urged Congress to help keep our communities safe from gun violence by quickly passing common-sense gun legislation The President also unveiled new reports showing the effectiveness of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; a $15 million gun buy-back initiative; and nearly $147 million in COPS grants to help communities hire an additional 1,600 police officers for our streets and schools.

Keeping Guns out of the Wrong Hands President Clinton announced the findings of two new reports by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms showing the importance of the Brady background checks and cooperation in enforcement of our gun laws:

Giving Communities Tools to Reduce Gun Violence. The President announced two important initiatives to help communities combat crime and gun violence: Fighting for Common-Sense Gun Legislation. The President renewed his call on Congress to pass sensible gun legislation supported by a bipartisan coalition of mayors and police chiefs. The President urged Congress to complete work on juvenile crime legislation and pass a bill that includes the common-sense gun provisions passed in the Senate to close the gun show loophole, require child safety locks for handguns, block the importation of large-capacity ammunition clips, and ban violent juveniles from owning guns for life.


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