    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [May 16, 1999]
    [Page 793]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on National Crime Statistics
    May 16, 1999

        Today the FBI released preliminary data showing that crime fell
    another 7 percent in 1998, with an 8 percent decline in murder and an 11
    percent decline in robbery. Crime is now down for a remarkable seventh
    year in a row. More community police on our streets and fewer guns in
    the hands of criminals have helped make our communities the safest they
    have been in a generation.
        But tragic events like the Littleton shooting remind us that our
    work is far from done. We in Washington have a responsibility to support
    law enforcement officers and pass commonsense gun legislation. We should
    start by closing the gun show loophole that allows criminals and
    juveniles to buy guns at gun shows without so much as a background
    check. In this way, we can keep the crime rates coming down.

    Note: This statement was embargoed for release until 6 p.m.