[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 68 (Thursday, May 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, last week many of our Nation's police 
officers joined together in Washington, DC to celebrate National Police 
Week. It began Monday, May 13 with a candlelight vigil at the National 
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The week-long tribute to our 
Nation's Federal, State and local police officers honors those who died 
in the line of duty and those who continue to serve and protect us 
everyday at great personal risk.
  According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in 
2001 there were 230 police officers killed in the line of duty. While 
many of the officers who were killed in the line of duty over the past 
year died as a result of the tragic events of September 11, there were 
many other officers who died because of gun violence. Of the 230 police 
officers killed in the line of duty last year, 68 were killed by a 
firearm.
  To help stem the tide of gun violence, Senator Reed introduced the 
Gun Show Background Check Act. I cosponsored that bill because I 
believe it is an important tool to help to prevent guns from getting 
into the hands of criminals. This bill simply applies existing law 
governing background checks to persons buying guns at gun shows. It is 
supported by a variety of law enforcement organizations including the 
International Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs of 
Police, National Black Police Association, Police Foundation and 
National Troopers Coalition. We should stand with our Nation's law 
enforcement community and take this common sense step to reduce gun 
violence.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of gun safety 
legislation. This is one step we can take to try to make sure guns do 
not get into the hands of criminals and others prohibited by law.

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