    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [May 14, 1999]
    [Pages 765-766]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Senate Action on Gun Control Legislation
    May 14, 1999

        Good morning. It is now clear that the tragedy at Littleton has
    helped to create a broad national consensus that we must act together to
    protect our children from violence, including taking efforts to keep
    guns away from children and away from criminals. The question is whether
    Congress will write that national consensus into law or block it. Thus
    far, the Senate has not fully lived up to its responsibility.
        I am very pleased that on Wednesday a bipartisan majority in the
    Senate passed two important measures I proposed 2 weeks ago. First, they
    agreed to ban the import of high-capacity ammunition clips that are used
    to evade the 1994 ban on assault weapons. Second, they

    [[Page 766]]

    agreed to ban juvenile possession of semi-automatic assault weapons and
    large-capacity magazines, weapons used--designed only for mayhem.
    There's no good reason for a child to own an AK-47 or a 15-round ammo
    clip.
        I applaud the Senate for taking these two steps. However, on
    Wednesday a narrow majority squandered an important opportunity to close
    the gun show loophole through which tens of thousands of guns are sold
    each year without background checks. Yesterday I called on the Senate to
    reconsider that vote. It makes no sense to let criminals continue to use
    legitimate gun shows as a convenience store for their weapons.
        Today the Senate will vote again on a measure purporting to address
    this issue. However, the new Senate Republican bill is still riddled
    with high-caliber loopholes. It won't stop criminals from buying guns at
    gun shows. At the same time, it will open up a new pawnshop loophole
    that lets convicted felons get guns at a local pawnshop. That's actually
    worse than current law.
        I simply can't believe the Senate will make the same mistake twice.
    So once again, I ask them to reject this phony proposal and to pass real
    legislation that requires the background checks necessary to prevent
    criminals from buying guns at gun shows which they cannot buy at gun
    stores. This should be a moment for national unity.
        I was so pleased today to receive a letter from the major gun
    manufacturers reiterating their support for our efforts to pass real,
    enforceable, mandatory background checks at gun shows. They recognize
    that law-abiding citizens don't need a gun show loophole, only criminals
    do.
        For 6 years, we have made strong, steady progress against crime by
    elevating results over ideology. Today we have a chance to put aside
    partisanship, political divisions, and draw special interest power that
    has dominated our politics on this issue for too long. For the sake of
    our children, I hope the Senate changes its mind and does the right
    thing.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:45 a.m. in the South Portico at the White
    House, prior to his departure for Seattle, WA.