[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 70 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E971]]
SAN MATEO COUNTY POLICE CHIEFS' AND SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION ENDORSES H.R. 
                                  1428

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 14, 1999

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I recently received a letter from Mr. John 
Stangl, Police Chief of the City of San Mateo, California, and the 
President of the San Mateo County Police Chiefs' and Sheriff's 
Association, informing me that ``without reservation, the membership of 
the San Mateo County Policy Chiefs' and Sheriff's Association voted to 
endorse and support H.R. 1428, the David Chetcuti Firearm Modification 
Act.''
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1428, which I introduced earlier this year, would 
close the existing loop-hole which permits felons to have access to 
firearm components which they can use to assemble assault weapons. My 
legislation is simple and does not require any additional law 
enforcement effort than currently law requires. Quite simply, this 
legislation would extend the provisions of existing gun control 
legislation to those components which criminals can and do use to make 
assault weapons.
  H.R. 1428 is called the David Chetcuti Firearm Modification Act, Mr. 
Speaker, in honor and in recognition of Officer Chetcuti who was killed 
one year ago by a felon who legally could not purchase a gun, but who 
was able to purchase a series of firearm components which he then used 
to assemble the kind of gun that he could not purchase.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
legislation, and I ask that the letter of Police Chief John Stangl be 
placed in the Record.

         San Mateo County Police Chiefs' and Sheriff's 
           Association,
                                       San Mateo, CA, May 6, 1999.
     Congressman Tom Lantos,
     San Mateo, CA.
       Dear Congressman Lantos: Without reservation, the 
     membership of the San Mateo County Police Chiefs' and Sheriff 
     Association voted to endorse and support H.R. 1428, the David 
     Chetcuti Firearm Modification Act. In its unanimous decision, 
     the association recognized the need to extend firearm laws to 
     gun components and restrict the manner in which they can be 
     acquired.
       The use of firearms to resolve conflict or perform an 
     illegal act has become a daily part of our lives. While it 
     can be debated that no amount of legislation will eliminate 
     this tragic reality, it does not make sense to provide an 
     open market for high powered, multi round weapons.
       It is obvious that the existing law must be amended to 
     provide the protection to society that was originally 
     intended. We thank you for your efforts and appreciate having 
     the opportunity to work with you.
           Respectfully,
     John Stangl,
       Police Chief, City of San Mateo, President, San Mateo 
     County Police Chiefs' And Sheriff's Association.

     

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