    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 20, 2000]
    [Page 497]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Gun
    Safety Legislation
    March 20, 2000

    Dear Mr. Chairman:
        Since last summer, I have repeatedly urged the Congress to finish
    its work on juvenile crime legislation and pass a balanced, bipartisan
    bill with strong gun measures to keep guns out of the hands of children
    and criminals. However, I am troubled by your recent comments that you
    are considering stripping the Senate-passed commonsense gun provisions
    out of the final conference report. Legislation intended to address the
    problem of youth violence simply cannot ignore the most devastating
    problem facing our youth--gun violence.
        Let me be clear: I will not sign juvenile crime legislation that
    fails to move forward in our efforts to make guns safer, and to keep
    them out of the hands of children and criminals.
        Last summer, the Senate passed reasonable gun provisions that would
    help do just this, by closing the gun show loophole, requiring child
    safety locks for handguns, barring violent juveniles from owning guns as
    adults, and banning the importation of large capacity ammunition clips.
    These measures can help save lives and should be enacted without further
    delay.
        Last week, my Administration, joined by many cities and states,
    reached a landmark agreement with Smith and Wesson under which the
    company will change the way it designs, distributes, and markets its
    products. That pact--which includes important provisions on gun shows,
    child safety locks, and large ammunition clips--is proof that when
    reasonable people choose to sit down and negotiate, they can find common
    ground and protect the public interest. I hope Congress can now build on
    that example.
        Nearly a year has passed since the tragedy at Columbine High School,
    and gunfire continues to take the lives of nearly a dozen young people a
    day. That is why I urge you once again to finish the job you started
    last year and send me a comprehensive juvenile crime bill that contains
    the Senate-passed gun safety measures. No task could be more urgent.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: This letter was sent to Orrin G. Hatch, chairman, Senate Committee
    on the Judiciary. An original was not available for verification of the
    content of this letter.