[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.