[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 31 (Monday, August 7, 2000)]
[Pages 1753-1754]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Gun Buyback Initiative

July 30, 2000

    I am pleased that Secretary Cuomo and the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development (HUD) are moving forward with their successful gun 
buyback initiative. By teaming up law enforcement, local authorities, 
and citizens in the fight to reduce gun violence, the HUD gun buyback 
program has already helped remove over 17,000 guns from our communities. 
Today's announcement that BuyBack America will continue will ensure the 
removal of thousands more guns, preventing an untold number of gun 
accidents, suicides, and crimes. Despite

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HUD's clear authority to carry out this important program, the gun lobby 
and other opponents of commonsense gun safety measures continue to 
challenge this initiative. We remain committed to carrying out BuyBack 
America, and I call on HUD to continue to offer this vital assistance to 
communities seeking our support in addressing their local gun violence 
problems.
    HUD's gun buybacks are an important part of my administration's 
comprehensive strategy to reduce gun violence in America. While we are 
making progress in this fight, gun violence remains far too high. 
Congress can do its part by finally passing the stalled commonsense gun 
safety legislation to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and 
children and fully funding my $280 million gun enforcement initiative to 
crack down on gun criminals. Congress should put the public safety 
interests of American families above those of the gun lobby and support 
these efforts instead of working to undermine them. If we work together, 
we can continue to bring down gun crime, reduce gun violence, and save 
lives.