[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
[March 5, 1997]
[Page 239]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on Child Safety Lock Devices for Handguns
March 5, 1997

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: Child Safety Lock Devices for Handguns

    Every day, firearms claim the lives of too many children. Firearms 
cause 12 percent of fatalities among American children and teens, and 
one of every four deaths of teenagers ages 15 to 19. These numbers 
represent not only violent crimes, but also tragic gun accidents. 
Firearms are now the fourth leading cause of accidental deaths among 
children ages 5 to 14. Moreover, firearms have become the primary method 
by which young people commit suicide.
    According to a Centers for Disease Control study released earlier 
this month, the rate of firearm deaths among children up to 14 years old 
is nearly 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other 
industrialized countries combined. The Center also estimates that nearly 
1.2 million unsupervised children return from school to a home that has 
a loaded or unlocked firearm.
    Recently, my Administration sent to the Congress our ``Anti-Gang and 
Youth Violence Act of 1997,'' draft legislation that includes a 
provision requiring all Federal Firearms Licensed dealers to provide a 
safety lock device with every firearm sold. Safety lock devices will 
help to reduce the unauthorized use of handguns by a child at play or a 
teen who wants to commit a crime. Just as important, safety lock devices 
can also help deter gun theft.
    I have urged the Congress to move this legislation quickly. In the 
meantime, the Federal Government can serve as an example of gun safety 
for the Nation by taking an important step to reduce handgun accidents 
and protect our children from injury and death.
    Every year, the Federal Government issues thousands of handguns to 
our law enforcement agents. While some agencies have already adopted a 
policy of distributing safety locks for these handguns, this policy 
should be universally adopted across the Federal Government. That is why 
I direct you to develop and implement a policy requiring that a safety 
lock device--as defined in our draft legislation--be provided with any 
and every handgun issued by your agency to law enforcement officers. You 
should ensure that all Federal law enforcement officers are informed of 
this policy and that all issued safety lock devices are accompanied by 
instructions for their proper use.
    All Americans have a responsibility to ensure that guns do not fall 
into the hands of our children. Your response to this directive will 
help ensure that this does not happen. Taking this simple step can have 
a dramatic impact on saving the lives of our children. You should 
proceed as quickly as possible to carry out this directive.

                                                      William J. Clinton