[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 32 (Monday, August 16, 1993)]
[Page 1605]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Memorandum on Importation of Assault Pistols

 August 11, 1993

Memorandum for the Secretary of the Treasury

Subject: Importation of Assault Pistols

    A category of pistols commonly referred to as assault pistols has 
increasingly become the weapon of choice for drug dealers, street gang 
members, and other violent criminals. These pistols, generally 
characterized by their bulky military-style appearance and large 
magazine capacity, include domestically manufactured TEC-9's and MAC-
10's as well as imported models like the Uzi pistol and the H&K SP-89. 
Their popularity appears to stem from their intimidating appearance and 
their considerable firepower.
    These weapons have been used to harm and terrorize many Americans, 
particularly our children, in recent years. As a result, it is no longer 
possible to stand by and witness the deadly proliferation of these 
weapons without acting to protect our communities.
    Although addressing the domestic production of these weapons 
requires a change in the statute, which I support, existing law already 
bans the importation of firearms unless they are determined to be 
particularly suitable for or readily adaptable for sporting purposes. I 
am informed that shortly after enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968, 
the Treasury Department adopted a factoring system to determine whether 
handguns were importable pursuant to this standard. The system entails 
the examination of the firearm against a set of criteria, with points 
being awarded for various features. A minimum score is required before 
importation is approved. The criteria and weighted point system were 
designed to address the crime gun of the day, the cheap, easily 
concealable ``Saturday Night Special.'' Under this 25-year old system, 
small caliber, easily concealable handguns score few points and are 
banned from importation. However, assault-type pistols--the new crime 
gun of the day--because of their large size, weight, and caliber, easily 
score the necessary points to qualify for importation even though none 
of these pistols appears to have any legitimate sporting purpose. 
Accordingly, it is time to reassess how the present regulatory approach 
can be made more effective in achieving the legislative directive to 
preclude importation of firearms that are not particularly suitable for 
or readily adaptable for sporting purposes.
    I hereby direct you to take the necessary steps to reexamine the 
current importation factoring system to determine whether the system 
should be modified to ensure that all nonsporting handguns are properly 
denied importation. You have advised me that the Bureau of Alcohol, 
Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) will issue a notice of proposed rule-making 
in the near future that will propose changes to the factoring system to 
address the assault pistol problem. You have further advised me that 
effective immediately action on pending applications to import these 
weapons will be suspended, and that final action on any application will 
be delayed until this review process is completed.
    Nothing herein shall be construed to require actions contrary to 
applicable provisions of law. You are hereby authorized and directed to 
publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
                                            William J. Clinton