FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO
AG
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 1999
(202) 514-2007
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
TDD (202) 514-1888
"Just over an hour ago, I was informed that another school shooting has occurred -- this time at a high school in Conyers, Georgia. We are still gathering the details. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and the school community this morning. Federal agents are standing by ready to provide any assistance that the local authorities might need.
"This morning, I was planning to talk about the gun debate taking place in the Senate today. I have stated many times that no one law could ever prevent a culture of violence. But that does not mean we should let slip by an opportunity to improve the laws we have."
* * *
"Today, the Senate has another opportunity to close the gun show loophole.
"Over the last few days, the Senate has been moving in the right direction. But it must not stop until it finishes the job. That's because a law is only as strong as the loopholes it is riddled with, and right now, this law has far too many -- even if the amendment offered last night were passed.
- First, it would allow thousands of guns to be sold without any background checks. That is because it would use a definition of 'gun show' so narrow, that many events -- like some flea markets where hundreds of guns are for sale -- would not even be covered.
- Second, it would create a new loophole by weakening the Brady background checks that already do take place at gun shows. It would do this by cutting down the amount of time the FBI or a state has do a background check from three business days to just 24 hours. This means that a criminal who shops for his gun on a Saturday would be able to get the gun at a gun show, even though he could not get it at a gun store.
- Third, it would turn back the clock 30 years by letting gun dealers sell weapons across state lines -- for the first time since 1968.
- Fourth, it preserves a safe harbor where gun traffickers and those with criminal intent can buy guns that they know cannot be traced by law enforcement.
- And fifth, it would allow countless amateur sellers and intermediaries to conduct background checks on other citizens.
"I hope the Senate will act in a bipartisan manner and pass a bill that moves us one step forward without also taking us three steps backward. I hope they do not let this opportunity slip by."
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99-198