[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 109 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9515-S9516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REPORT OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION ENTITLED ``THE SAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT 
    OFFICERS' LIVES ACT OF 1995''--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT--PM 60

  The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message 
from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying 
report; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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 

[[Page S9516]]
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.

                          ____________________