[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 108 (Monday, September 13, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE EXPIRATION OF THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 13, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, today I come to the floor to protest the 
Republican leadership's refusal to renew the assault weapons ban. I 
have heard from law enforcement agencies across the country and 
citizens from my district urging Congress to take action and renew the 
assault weapons ban. It is unconscionable that this ban has been 
allowed to lapse and that we may again see assault style weapons on our 
street corners.
  The assault weapons ban did not have to expire. There are several 
bills in both the House and Senate that would have extended the assault 
weapons ban and continued to protect our law enforcement officers from 
these dangerous weapons. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2038, the Assault 
Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003, and H.R. 3831, 
Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2003. Either of these bills 
would have successfully and seamlessly continued the protection 
established by the original assault weapons ban in 1994.
  The Assault Weapons Ban has proven remarkably effective in reducing 
the use of assault weapons in crime. Since 1994, the proportion of 
assault weapons traced to crimes has fallen by a dramatic 66 percent. 
In addition, opinion polls show that 75 percent of the public supports 
the renewal of the assault weapons ban. This legislation takes a 
commonsense approach that successfully protects the rights of those who 
collect or hunt and use weapons for legitimate recreational purposes, 
while also guarding the safety of our law enforcement officers.
  On this issue, the Congressional Republican leadership has ignored 
the will of the public, the professional opinion of law enforcement 
agencies across the country, and even the views of President Bush who 
publicly stated his willingness to sign an extension of the assault 
weapons ban into law. I am saddened by this failure and I will continue 
working to reinstate the assault weapons ban and to provide our law 
enforcement officers with the greatest protection possible.

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