[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 42 (Monday, March 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       GUN BAN REPEAL ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 22, 1996

  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my 
continued support for the assault weapons ban passed by the Congress in 
1994. Passed with the overwhelming support of national law enforcement 
organizations, this new law is working to reduce bloodshed and save 
lives.
  During the late 1980's, assault weapons accounted for about 8-10 
percent of all guns traced to crimes by law enforcement, even though 
assault weapons accounted for only about 1 percent of the guns in 
private hands. The number of assault weapons traced to crime in the 
first months of 1995 fell for the first time in recent years from the 
prior year's level. These impressive statistics indicate that the use 
of assault weapons in crime is now declining. My colleagues, this law 
is working.
  The attempt by the Republican leadership to derail the successes of 
the assault weapons ban is nothing more than poorly disguised political 
opportunism. This is a payback--pure and simple.
  But this vote should not disguise the fact that the overwhelming 
majority of the American public, including gun owners, wants assault 
weapons off our streets and out of our school yards.
  When we debated this bill 2 years ago, the legislation was narrowly 
drawn to protect the right of all law-abiding Americans to own firearms 
both for hunting and other sporting purposes, as well as for their own 
self-defense.
  Assault weapons are the weapons of choice for terrorists, mass 
murderers, drug dealers, gang members, drive-by shooters, and cop 
killers. They also continue to be used against their well-armed 
opponents--police officers.
  For the safety of our children and those who are sworn to protect 
them, vote against this bill and maintain the assault weapons ban.

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