[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.