[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 32 (Friday, March 12, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2773-S2774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, last week, the Senate passed a 10-year 
extension of the assault weapons ban. We passed the assault weapons ban 
in 1994 because law enforcement agencies asked for it, and we extended 
it last week at their urging.
  Studies have shown that the assault weapons ban works. According to 
National Institute of Justice statistics reported by the Brady Campaign 
to Prevent Gun Violence, gun trace requests for assault weapons 
declined 20 percent in the first calendar year after the ban took 
effect, dropping from 4,077 in 1994 to 3,268 in 1995. This statistic 
indicates that fewer of these weapons were making it onto the streets.
  As my colleagues know, the 1994 law banned the production of certain 
semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. 
The 1994 law banned a list of 19 specific weapons as well as a number 
of other weapons incorporating certain design characteristics such as 
pistol grips, folding stocks, bayonet mounts, and flash suppressors. 
This law should not be allowed to sunset on September 13, 2004. This 
law does not need to sunset. Our Nation's law enforcement officers 
support this legislation, the President even has expressed his support, 
and the Senate passed an extension.

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  If the law is not reauthorized, the production of assault weapons can 
legally resume. Restarting production of these weapons will increase 
their number and availability and inevitably lead to a rise in gun 
crimes committed with assault weapons. The Senate has shown bipartisan 
majorities for renewing the assault weapons ban. President Bush should 
demand that Congress act this year to extend the ban.

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