[House Document 104-90]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]





                                     

        104th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House 
Document 104-90



                         PROPOSED LEGISLATION:
 
          ``SAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' LIVES ACT OF 1995''

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

  A DRAFT OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO SAVE THE LIVES OF AMERICA'S LAW 
                          ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS


 

    June 30, 1995.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
          Committee on the Judiciary and ordered to be printed
To the Congress of the United States:
    Today I am transmitting for your immediate consideration 
and passage the ``Saving Law Enforcement Officers' Lives Act of 
1995.'' This Act would limit the manufacture, importation, and 
distribution of handgun ammunition that serves little sporting 
purpose, but which kills law enforcement officers. The details 
of this proposal are described in the enclosed section-by-
section analysis.
    Existing law already provides for limits on ammunition 
based on the specific materials from which it is made. It does 
not, however, address the problem of excessively powerful 
ammunition based on its performance.
    Criminals should not have access to handgun ammunition that 
will pierce the bullet-proof vests worn by law enforcement 
officers. That is the standard by which so-called ``cop-
killer'' bullets are judged. My proposal would limit the 
availability of this ammunition.
    The process of designating such ammunition should be a 
careful one and should be undertaken in close consultation with 
all those who are affected, including representatives of law 
enforcement, sporting groups, the industries that manufacture 
bullet-proof vests and ammunition, and the academic research 
community. For that reason, the legislation requires the 
Secretary of the Treasury to consult with the appropriate 
groups before regulations are promulgated. The legislation also 
provides for congressional review of the proposed regulations 
before they take effect.
    This legislation will save the lives of law enforcement 
officers without affecting the needs of legitimate sporting 
enthusiasts. I urge its prompt and favorable consideration by 
the Congress.

                                                William J. Clinton.
    The White House, June 30, 1995.
           Saving Law Enforcement Officers' Lives Act of 1995

                      section-by-section analysis

    Section 1 is the short title.
    Section 2 amends section 921 of title 18, United States 
Code, which defines armor piercing ammunition. The amendment 
would add a reference to the performance standards to be 
developed by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 
3. The manufacture, importation, sale, and delivery of armor 
piercing ammunition is prohibited by current law (18 U.S.C. 
922(a)(7-8) and 923(e)).
    Section 3 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to 
determine whether a projectile that may be used in a handgun is 
capable of penetrating body armor (e.g., bullet-proof vests). 
The section authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations to 
provide for uniform testing of projectiles based on standards 
established by the Secretary.
    Before issuing such regulations, the Secretary would have 
to consult with representatives of Federal, State, county, and 
local law enforcement; organizations representing the sporting 
use of firearms; the manufacturers of ammunition and of bullet-
proof vests; and the ammunition and protective gear research 
community.
    No such regulation could take effect until 45 days after it 
was published in the Federal Register and delivered to the 
Congress. During the 45-day period, the Congress could 
repudiate such regulations by law.
    Section 4 authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may 
be necessary to develop and implement performance measures for 
armor piercing ammunition and to issue regulations for 
performance measures for armor piercing ammunition.
     A BILL To save the lives of America's law enforcement officers

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
    Section 1. Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
``Saving Law Enforcement Officers' Lives Act of 1995.''
    Sec. 2. Definition of Armor Piercing Ammunition.--Section 
921(a)(17)(B) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
          (a) by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (i);
          (b) by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) 
        and inserting ``; or''; and
          (c) by adding at the end the following:
          ``(iii) a projectile that may be used in a handgun 
        and that the Secretary determines pursuant to the 
        procedure specified in section 926(d) to be capable of 
        penetrating body armor.''
    Sec. 3. Determination of the Capability of Projectiles to 
Penetrate Body Armor.--Section 926 of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d)(1) The Secretary shall determine whether a projectile 
is capable of penetrating body armor, in accordance with 
regulations which the Secretary may prescribe. Such regulations 
shall provide for uniform testing of projectiles against the 
Body Armor Exemplar, based on standards developed by the 
Secretary.
    ``(2) As used in paragraph (1), the term `Body Armor 
Exemplar' means body armor that the Secretary determines meets 
minimum standards for protection of law enforcement officers.
    ``(3) Before promulgating regulations under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall select and consult with 
representatives of:
          ``(A) Federal, State, county, and local law 
        enforcement;
          ``(B) organizations representing the sporting use of 
        firearms;
          ``(C) the industries involved in the manufacture of 
        ammunition and of articles of protective gear generally 
        known as `bullet-proof vests'; and
          ``(D) members of the ammunition and protective gear 
        research community.
    ``(4) No regulation promulgated pursuant to this subsection 
shall take effect until 45 days after it is published in the 
Federal Register and delivered to the Congress, during which 
time the Congress may by law repudiate such regulation.''.
    Sec. 4. Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Treasury 
such sums as may be necessary to--
          (a) develop and implement performance measures for 
        armor piercing ammunition; and
          (b) promulgate regulations for performance measures 
        for armor piercing ammunition.