    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 10 (Monday, March 10, 1997)]
    [Pages 287-288]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Memorandum on Child Safety Lock Devices for Handguns

    March 5, 1997

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Child Safety Lock Devices for Handguns

        Every day, firearms claim the lives of too many children. Firearms
    cause 12 percent of fatalities among American children and teens, and
    one of every four deaths of teenagers ages 15 to 19. These numbers
    represent not only violent crimes, but also tragic gun accidents.
    Firearms are now the fourth leading cause of accidental deaths among
    children ages 5 to 14. Moreover, firearms have become the primary method
    by which young people commit suicide.
        According to a Centers for Disease Control study released earlier
    this month, the rate of firearm deaths among children up to 14 years old
    is nearly 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other
    industrialized countries combined. The Center also estimates that nearly
    1.2 million unsupervised children return from school to a home that has
    a loaded or unlocked firearm.
        Recently, my Administration sent to the Congress our ``Anti-Gang and
    Youth Violence Act of 1997,'' draft legislation that includes a
    provision requiring all Federal Firearms Licensed dealers to provide a
    safety lock device with every firearm sold. Safety lock devices will
    help to reduce the unauthorized use of handguns by a child at play or a
    teen who wants to commit a crime. Just as important, safety lock devices
    can also help deter gun theft.
        I have urged the Congress to move this legislation quickly. In the
    meantime, the Federal Government can serve as an example of gun safety
    for the Nation by taking an important step to reduce handgun accidents
    and protect our children from injury and death.
        Every year, the Federal Government issues thousands of handguns to
    our law enforcement agents. While some agencies have already adopted a
    policy of distributing safety locks for these handguns, this policy
    should be universally adopted across the Federal Government. That is why
    I direct you to develop and implement a policy requiring that a safety
    lock device--as defined in our draft legislation--be provided with any
    and every handgun issued by your agency to law enforcement officers. You
    should ensure that all Federal law enforcement officers are informed of
    this policy and that all issued safety lock devices are accompanied by
    instructions for their proper use.
        All Americans have a responsibility to ensure that guns do not fall
    into the hands of our children. Your response to this directive will
    help ensure that this does not happen. Taking this simple step can have
    a dramatic impact on saving the lives of our children. You should
    proceed as quickly as possible to carry out this directive.
                                                William J. Clinton

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