[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CHILD SAFETY LOCKS

  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, today eight of the largest gun manufacturers 
voluntarily agreed to include safety locks with every handgun they 
sell. I rise today to commend the President and the gun industry for 
their historic efforts.
  This agreement addresses a very serious problem. Every year, many 
hundreds of children die from accidental shootings and thousands more 
try to take their own lives with guns. Encouraging parents to use 
safety locks will not save all of these young lives, to be sure, but it 
will save many of them. It will make a difference.
  This deal, however, would not have been possible without the public 
outcry over these tragedies and the growing momentum for bipartisan 
child safety lock legislation. Our measure, which lost by a single vote 
in the Judiciary Committee this summer, requires the sale of a safety 
lock with every handgun.
  Mr. President, in my opinion voluntary action is always better than 
Government regulation. For that reason, when we entered into 
negotiations with gun manufacturers, we asked them to take this 
dramatic step on their own initiative. Today we are very pleased that 
most of the industry has responded so that 80 percent of all handguns 
manufactured in the United States will now be sold with child safety 
locks. But we will continue to push until the half million more 
handguns, including those manufactured abroad, are also covered.

  We will also continue to encourage voluntary compliance, but until we 
have the support of the entire industry, we will move to enact our 
legislation. It should be easier now because most of the industry is 
already on board.
  Mr. President, today's announcement is an important step for safety 
and a victory for families and children everywhere. We should all be 
grateful.
  I thank you and yield the floor.
  Mr. D'AMATO addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New York is recognized.

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