[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 26 (Monday, June 29, 1998)]
[Pages 1178-1179]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Handgun Control Legislation

June 19, 1998

    The Justice Department's report on background checks is further 
proof that the Brady

[[Page 1179]]

Law is working. Since its passage, law enforcement officials have 
stopped hundreds of thousands of felons, fugitives, and stalkers from 
buying handguns every year. By keeping guns out of the hands of 
criminals--and putting more police in our communities--we have helped 
cut the crime rate to its lowest point in a generation. We must now 
extend the Brady Law's provisions to violent juveniles and bar them from 
owning guns for life. I call on Congress once again to pass this needed, 
commonsense legislation.

Note: This statement was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on June 19 but was embargoed for release until 4:30 p.m., June 
21. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.