[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 55 (Monday, May 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       PUBLIC SAFETY AND RECREATIONAL FIREARMS USE PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. THOMAS J. MANTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 1994

  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
4296, the Assault Weapons Ban Act.
  Mr. Chairman, we have a very clear choice today. We can listen to a 
single issue special interest group and reject this bill, or we can 
heed the call of our Nation's law enforcement officers and the 
overwhelming majority of law-abiding citizens and pass the assault 
weapons ban today.
  We will hear much debate and disagreement about exactly how many 
assault weapons will be banned by this bill. We will hear many 
arguments about the constitutional right to bear arms. But the facts 
are as clear as the choice we have today. This bill would ban 19 
specific semiautomatic assault weapons. And nothing in the Constitution 
guarantees the right of a drug lord or a street punk to possess a 
grenade launcher or an AK-47.
  Technical arguments regarding the scope of the bill and legal 
arguments regarding the constitutionality of the bill are nothing more 
than a smokescreen designed to complicate and confuse what is a very 
clear choice: are you on the side of the police or are you on the side 
of the gun lobby.
  Mr. Chairman, as a former New York City police officer the choice for 
me is not only clear but it is simple. I will vote to ban these 
grotesque weapons whose only purpose is to inflict human pain and 
suffering. I urge my colleagues to ignore the special interests and 
listen to the American people. Vote for H.R. 4296, the Assault Weapons 
Ban Act.

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