    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [September 19, 1997]
    [Page 1193]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1193]]

    Statement on the Study by the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence
    September 19, 1997

        Today's study released by the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence
    confirms what we have known all along: that the Brady law is helping to
    keep guns out of the hands of criminals. The study also gives us more
    good news about the Brady law--that it has worked to help disrupt
    illegal gun trafficking patterns, making it more difficult for gun
    traffickers to do business.
        While States are no longer required to conduct Brady background
    checks in light of the Supreme Court's recent decision, I am pleased
    that State and local law enforcement agencies around the country are
    overwhelmingly continuing to do these checks on a voluntary basis. Our
    goal remains unchanged: no background check, no handgun purchase.
        I have pledged to do everything in my power to make sure that we
    continue to keep handguns out of the hands of criminals--including
    extending Brady background checks to violent juveniles who should not be
    able to buy a gun on their 21st birthday. Today's study further makes
    the case that for the safety of our communities and of all Americans,
    Brady background checks must continue.