[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book II)]
[July 24, 2000]
[Page 1452]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Department of Health and Human Services Report on the 
Decline in Youth Gun Deaths
July 24, 2000

    The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released promising 
new data today showing that the number of children killed by gunfire in 
America continues to decline. The HHS report shows that 3,792 children 
and teens were killed with guns in 1998--a 10 percent decline from the 
year before. The reduction is even more significant when compared to 
1994: 2,000 fewer young people were killed by gunfire in 1998 than in 
1994--a 35 percent decrease. Our combined efforts to reduce gun violence 
and save lives are indeed having an impact.
    While these figures are encouraging, there is no question that gun 
violence is still far too prevalent in our Nation. Despite our progress, 
10 young people are killed with guns every day in America. All of us 
must work together toward a solution. Parents must ensure that guns are 
stored safely to prevent accidental shootings. Schools and communities 
must give children positive alternatives to steer them away from guns 
and violence. Law enforcement must crack down on gun traffickers who 
supply young people with firearms and armed criminals who commit 
violence against our children. And the gun industry must responsibly 
design, distribute, and market its products to make sure that they do 
not fall into the wrong hands.
    Congress has an important role to play as well by fully funding my 
$280 million national gun enforcement initiative and by passing the 
stalled commonsense gun safety legislation that can help keep guns out 
of the hands of children and criminals. Working together, we can keep 
gun violence on the decline and the prospects for our children's future 
going up.