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Peace Officers Memorial Day 5/15/89 [OA 6265] [1]
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Peace Officers Memorial Day 5/15/89 [OA 6265] [1]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13668
Folder ID Number:
13668-001
Folder Title:
Peace Officers Memorial Day 5/15/89 [OA 6265] [1]
Stack:
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Shelf:
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G
26
19
1
2
BS- # 161 officers killed in the
ling of duty in 88
Dusie Sawyer Commend
892-4100 ex. Post
Concerns I of Police Survivas (COPS)
will be receiving $ 143,000
from Justice
Badge 14072
Eddie Eyene
Photocopy-Preservation
599-0445
888-2264 888- 2264
Suzee
Javyn total police dead
including 161 a federal
X
X
Prison Population, Construction, and Funding Summary
National Institute of Corrections
April 25, 1989
Unless otherwise noted, findings are from a telephone survey done
by National Institute of Corrections and Bureau of Prisons staff
of all state Departments of Corrections as well as the District
of Columbia. This survey was conducted on April 24, 1989. The
following states did not respond to the survey: Alabama,
Kentucky, Missouri, and Nebraska.
It should be noted that not all states responded to all questions
and there may be inconsistencies between states because of
varying methods used in collecting data, etc. For example, the
years for which projected population figures are available differ
between states. In addition, states employ different definitions
of critical capacity-related data, and variances were also
evident in the categorization of the stages of construction. If
a more complete explanation is desired for any item in the
survey, NIC can reference the interview schedule for that state.
Population figures for 1983 and 1988 as well as system capacity
data for 1988 are from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Figures for "Beds Under Construction" are from a survey conducted
in 1988 by the Contact Center, Inc. for Corrections Compendium.
Prison Survey Category Definition
Prison Population - 1983 = Total of all state prison
inmates, per BJS, as of 12-31-83.
Prison Population - 1988 = Total of all state prison
inmates, per BJS, as of 12-31-88.
Projected/Year = Best projection of population growth, by
state authorities for indicated year.
Pop. Trend = General statement of state authorities on
population trend for their jurisdiction.
Capac. 1988 = Capacity of system as reported by BJS.
Local Custody = Number of inmates held in local jails
awaiting transfer to state facilities.
Court Cap = Indication of whether system is operating under
a court-ordered population ceiling.
Other Place. = Inmates contracted for service of sentence in
other jurisdictions.
Rel. Mech. = Indication if state is using alternate or early
release procedures as a population relief measure.
Beds Under Const. = Number of beds reported by "Corrections
Compendium" as of 12/88 as under construction.
Beds Planned = Number of beds indicated as presently being
planned by agency.
Additional Beds Requested = Number of beds indicated as
requested by agency in addition to those in planning stage.
Number Likely to be Funded = Estimation of number of
requested beds likely to be approved by the funding
authority.
Source of Funds = Most common source of funding for prison
construction.
Population Initiatives = Indication whether legislative or
other initiatives in the state are likely to drive further
population increases.
Jail Population and Construction Summary
National Institute of Corrections
April 24, 1989
The attached information is based on a telephonic survey of
the 60 largest jails in the United States, made by phone by
NIC Jail Center staff on April 24-25, 1989.
These institutions represent approximately 75 percent of the
total detention population in the country.
All figures supplied are as of April 24, 1989, and reflect
the local authorities' account of actual population and
capacity, figures. as well as known construction and other expansion
Based on an estimated cost of $50,000 per bed for new jail
construction, the cost of the expansion projects currently
under way is approximately $2.5 Billion.
POPULATION AND CAPACITY DATA FOR THE 60 LARGEST JAIL SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS, 4/25/89
1988
RATED
BEDS
BEDS
TOTAL
STATE
JURISDICTION
ADP
CAP
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
PLANNED
NEW BEDS
AZ
MARICOPA COUNTY
3,935
2,634
-0-
1,300
1,300
AZ
PIMA COUNTY
817
768
-0-
-0-
-0-
CA
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
1,296
689
560
120
680
CA
ALAMEDA COUNTY
2,871
2,318
1,968
350
2,418
CA
FRESNO COUNTY
1,670
1,029
424
250
674
CA
KERN COUNTY
2,260
2,032
-0-
-0-
-0-
CA
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
21,867
12,762
2,100
2,000
4,100
CA
ORANGE COUNTY
4,049
3,203
-0-
208
208
CA
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
1,629
1,103
432
325
757
CA
SAN BERNADINO COUNTY
2,261
1,377
960
-0-
960
CA
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
4,490
2,285
296
854
1,150
CA
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
1,697
1,468
3,000
-0-
3,000
CA
SAN MATEO COUNTY
1,104
876
-0-
-0-
-0-
CA
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
3,314
3,000
2,037
-0-
2,037
CA
VENTURA COUNTY
1,537
1,000
-0-
600
600
CO
DENVER COUNTY
1,200
1,020
-0-
-0-
-0-
SUB-TOTAL PAGE 1
55,997
37,564
11,777
6,007
17,884
*ADP equals Average Daily Population
PAGE 2
POPULATION AND CAPACITY DATA FOR THE 60 LARGEST JAIL SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS, 4/25/89
1988
RATED
BEDS
BEDS
TOTAL
STATE
JURISDICTION
ADP
CAP
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
PLANNED
NEW BEDS
FL
BROWARD COUNTY
3,220
3,051
-0-
444
444
FL
PINELLAS COUNTY
1,789
1,898
-0-
-0-
-0-
FL
DADE COUNTY
4,983
3,758
-0-
-0-
-0-
FL
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
1,938
1,404
1,330
-0-
1,330
FL
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
1,000
1,280
-0-
-0-
-0-
FL
DUVAL COUNTY
1,648
1,394
1,261
400
1,661
FL
ORANGE COUNTY
2,765
1,559
96
768
864
GA
DEKALB COUNTY
1,348
1,158
-0-
272
272
GA
FULTON COUNTY
2,350
1,881
2,320
-0-
2,320
GA
CITY OF ATLANTA
919
876
-0-
-0-
-0-
IL
COOK COUNTY
6,400
5,917
-0-
1,800
1,800
IN
MARION COUNTY
1,028
1,100
-0-
-0-
-0-
KY
JEFFERSON COUNTY
788
823
250
-0-
250
LA
ORLEANS PARISH
3,950
2,832
480
-0-
480
MD
BALTIMORE COUNTY
2,775
2,622
166
500
666
SUB-TOTAL PAGE 2
36,901
31,553
5,903
4,184
10,087
PAGE 3
POPULATION AND CAPACITY DATA FOR THE 60 LARGEST JAIL SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS, 4/25/89
1988
RATED
BEDS
BEDS
TOTAL
STATE
JURISDICTION
ADP
CAP
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
PLANNED
NEW BEDS
MA
SUFFOLK COUNTY
450
266
-0-
800
800
MI
WAYNE COUNTY
1,676
1,676
-0-
850
850
MO
CITY OF ST. LOUIS
622
678
-0-
-0-
-0-
MO
JACKSON COUNTY
589
520
-0-
-0-
-0-
NV
CLARK COUNTY
1,142
1,056
285
-0-
285
NJ
ESSEX COUNTY
1,500
1,200
-0-
-0-
-0-
NM
BERNALILLO COUNTY
757
666
-0-
-0-
-0-
NY
NASSAU COUNTY
1,649
1,197
200
830
1,030
NY
NEW YORK CITY
16,757
19,025
2,153
2,848
5,001
NY
SUFFOLK COUNTY
1,116
865
340
-0-
340
NY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY
1,306
1,516
740
-0-
740
OH
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
1,150
886
-0-
480
480
OH
FRANKLIN COUNTY
1,333
1,286
-0-
273
273
OH
HAMILTON COUNTY
1,400
1,466
-0-
1,200
1,200
OR
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
1,070
1,013
-0-
-0-
-0-
PA
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
975
1,013
-0-
-0-
-0-
PA
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
4,309
3,750
-0-
-0-
-0-
SUB-TOTAL PAGE 3
37,801
38,079
3,718
7,281
10,999
PAGE 4
POPULATION AND CAPACITY DATA FOR THE 60 LARGEST JAIL SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS, 4/25/89
1988
RATED
BEDS
BEDS
TOTAL
STATE
JURISDICTION
ADP
CAP
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
PLANNED
NEW BEDS
TN
DAVIDSON COUNTY
1,725
1,800
-0-
600
600
TX
BEXAR COUNTY
2,049
1,811
-0-
-0-
-0-
TX
DALLAS COUNTY
5,789
3,750
2,000
2,200
4,200
TX
EL PASO COUNTY
1,159
1,024
-0-
-0-
-0-
TX
HARRIS COUNTY
7,265
4,315
450
4,200
4,650
TX
TARRANT COUNTY
2,501
2,217
1,440
-0-
1,440
VA
FAIRFAX COUNTY
938
589
-0-
100
100
VA
RICHMOND COUNTY
940
629
-0-
100
WA
KING COUNTY
1,874
1,498
160
1,000
1,160
SUB-TOTAL PAGE 4
24,240
17,633
4,050
8,200
12,150
SUB-TOTAL PAGE 3
37,351
38,079
3,718
7,281
10,999
SUB-TOTAL PAGE 2
36,901
31,553
5,903
4,184
10,087
SUB-TOTAL PAGE 1
55,997
37,564
11,777
6,007
17,884
GRAND TOTAL
154,939
124,829
25,448
25,672
51,120
Bureau of Justice Statistics response to "Statistical Information
Requests from the White House, 17 March 1989"
Submitted March 21, 1989, updated March 24, 1989
For further information, contact Joseph M. Bessette, Acting Director,
Bureau of Justice Statistics
1. What is the percentage of crime nationally resulting from drug use?
What percentage is drug-related, not involving use?
There are no precise numbers available to calculate the percentage of
crime nationally resulting from drug use. There are, however, (1) national
estimates on arrests and convictions for drug violations, (2) data on drug
related murders, (3) survey data on the drug use behavior of prison and jail
inmates, (4) sample data on the presence or absence of drugs in the urine
of persons apprehended by police, and (5) national estimates, provided by
crime victims, of their perceptions of drug use by offenders.
(1) Arrest data, collected and reported by the FBI annually, indicate
that the number of arrests for drug violations (sales or manufacturing and
possession) increased from 580,900 in 1980 to 937,400 in 1987, an increase
of 61%. The number of these arrests for sales or manufacturing, however,
has grown more rapidly than arrests for possession--arrests for sales/
manufacturing have increased by 91% since 1980. In 1980, 18% of those
arrested for sales/manufacturing were charged with trafficking in heroin
or cocaine; in 1987, 55% of those arrested for sales/manufacturing were
charged with trafficking in heroin or cocaine.
An estimated 76,000 persons were convicted of felony drug trafficking
in State courts in 1986. This was 13% of all felony convictions in State
courts that year. An additional 10,564 persons were convicted of drug
trafficking in Federal court that year (24% of all Federal convictions).
(2) Narcotics-related murders have also increased since 1980. In 1980,
1.7% of murders were classified by the FBI as narcotics-felony murders.
In 1987, 4.9% of all murders were classified as narcotics-felony murders.
(3) Surveys of national samples of State prisoners reveal substantial
numbers with prior use of illegal drugs. In 1986, 35% of State prisoners
reported they were under the influence of drugs at the time of the crime
for which they were imprisoned. Of those who were sentenced to prison
for robbery, burglary, larceny, or a drug offense, half were daily drug
users in the month preceding their current imprisonment offense and 40%
were under the influence of an illegal drug at the time they committed
their crime. On average, inmates report their first drug use occurred at
age 15 and their first use of a major drug (heroin, cocaine, PCP, LSD)
occurred at age 17. Among those who were daily users of a major drug
prior to their current imprisonment offense, nearly 30% had at least 6
prior convictions compared to about 12% of those who had never used a
major drug.
(4) Between April and June, 1988, more than 3,500 male and female
arrestees in 11 cities were tested for drug use. Positive results for the
presence of drugs ranged from 90% of male arrestees in New York City to
54% of male arrestees in Indianapolis. Of those tested in San Diego, 56%
evidenced the presence of at least two drugs. More than half of male
arrestees tested in Lós Angeles, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago,
Washington, D.C., and New York City tested positive for the presence of
cocaine. The percentage of female arrestees testing positive for drugs
exceeded the percentage among male arrestees in San Diego, Portland,
Phoenix, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and equalled the male
percentage in Los Angeles and Dallas. In May 1984, less than 20% of
arrestees in Washington, D.C. tested positive for cocaine--four years
later more than 60% had positive cocaine tests.
(5) Based upon victim reports from the National Crime Survey (NCS),
sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, household members who
were victims of violent crimes, surveyed between July, 1986 and June,
1987, reported that they thought in about 12% of the incidents offenders
were under the influence of drugs. Rape (18%) and robbery (15%) victims
were the most likely to report perceived drug use by the offenders.
2. What is the percentage of Federal/State breakdown of crimes
involving guns?
Data on gun use in crimes come from two sources: the National Crime
Survey (NCS) of the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Uniform Crime
Reports (UCR) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (NCS data include
crimes reported by victims to survey interviewers, whether or not such
crimes were reported to police, but exclude homicides and commercial
crimes such as robberies of banks or stores. UCR data include all crimes
reported to law enforcement authorities.)
NCS victims reported that 13% of violent crimes during 1987 involved
an offender with a gun. By type of crime, 8% of rape victims, 18% of all
robbery victims, and 12% of all assault victims (aggravated and simple
assault) reported that the offender had a gun.
NCS data reveal that between 1973 and 1982 about 10% of victims
confronted by an offender with a gun sustained gunshot injuries.
Altogether, approximately 1% of violent crime victims in the U.S. were
shot by their assailants during 1979-86.
According to UCR data, 59% of the 20,100 homicide victims in 1987
were killed by firearms. In 1987, 21% of all aggravated assaults reported
to police, and 33% of all robberies reported to police were committed by
offenders with guns.
No data are currently available to provide the percentage of Federal
crimes that involve guns. However, the number would be relatively small
since only 5% of Federal offenders convicted in 1986 were charged with a
violent crime. We could provide an estimate of this figure, but this would
require computer runs by an outside contractor (Abt Associates, who
manage the Integrated Federal Database for BJS).
3. How many States have mandatory penalties for use of guns
in commission of a crime? Give examples.
Mandatory minimum sentence, as the term is used here, means the
minimum sentence that must be given by a judge or jury on conviction,
without an option for probation, suspended sentence, or immediate parole
eligibility. Mandatory minimum sentencing legislation is a very recent
phenomenon. With the exception of Washington State, which started in
1909, and three States which first enacted mandatory sentencing in the
early 1970's, mandatory sentencing came into being during 1975 and
later. As of 1986, 30 States provided mandatory terms of imprisonment
for use of a firearm in the commission of a crime.
Examples:
New Hampshire's mandatory minimum sentencing legislation provides that
a person who commits or attempts to commit any felony when armed with
any firearm shall be guilty of a class B felony and a class A felony for any
subsequent offense. A person convicted of the felonious use of a firearm
shall, in addition to the punishment for the underlying felony, be given a
minimum mandatory sentence of 1 year for a first offense and 3 years for
any subsequent offense. Neither the whole nor any part of such additional
sentence shall be suspended nor served concurrently with any other
sentence.
California's penal code provides that any person armed with a firearm in
the commission of a drug trafficking offense shall, upon conviction of that
offense, be punished by a term of imprisonment of four years in addition
and consecutive to the punishment prescribed for that offense.
4. What States have the best record on gun-use related crime? How does
the record correlate with any gun control or mandatory sentencing laws
in such States?
See attached.
5. Provide a list of States that restrict maximum load in clips/magazines.
Give specific examples.
This information has been requested from the Bureau of Alcohol
Tobacco and Firearms (BATF). We expect it by close of business March
24.
6. Provide a list of States that have gun registration laws. Give specific
examples on types of weapons, waiting periods, etc.
As of July 1986, 20 States (or at least one major urban area in the
State) required an application and some waiting period prior to purchase
of a firearm. See attached tables from the NRA and from BATF.
7. Are there any statistics or examples of cases where semi-automatic
weapons have been converted to full automatic and then used in the
commission of crimes?
This information has been requested from the Bureau of Alcohol
Tobacco and Firearms (BATF). We expect it by close of business March
24.
8. What empirical data exist on effective deterrents to crime?
Evidence on crime deterrence was reviewed by a panel of the National
Academy of Sciences and summarized in the panel report, Deterrence and
Incapacitation: Estimating the Effects of Criminal Sanctions on Crime
Rates (Blumstein, et al., Eds., 1978). The report focused on what are
called the "deterrent" and "incapacitative" effects of criminal sanctions.
Deterrence was defined as the inhibiting effect of sanctions on the
criminal activity of people other than the sanctioned offender.
Incapacitation was defined as the effect of isolating an identified
offender from the larger society, thereby preventing him or her from
committing crimes in that society.
Regarding deterrence, the studies that were reviewed dealt with the
question of whether increasing the risk or severity of sanctions reduces
levels of crime. The sanction risks usually studied are apprehension,
conviction, imprisonment, or execution. Sanction severity is usually
measured by prison sentence length or time served. The panel concluded
that, taken as a whole, the evidence supported deterrence--which predicts
that when sanction levels are high (e.g., high arrest rates, high rates of
conviction, high rates of imprisonment), crime rates are low. However,
the panel did not conclude that high sanction levels necessarily cause low
crime rates, only that there was a negative relationship between sanction
levels and crime rates.
Regarding incapacitation, the panel stated: "As long as there is a
reasonable presumption that offenders commit crimes if they had
remained free, there is unquestionably a direct incapacitative effect"
(p. 9). Studies reviewed by the panel varied greatly in terms of the size
of the incapacitation effect.
Data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics are relevant to
assessing the size of the incapacitation effect. Findings from a three-
year followup study of persons released from prisons in 11 large and
medium-sized States in 1983 (final numbers to be released April 2)
indicate high rates of recidivism, especially by young offenders with long
prior records. Overall, 63% of released offenders were rearrested within
3 years, 47% were reconvicted, and 41% were reincarcerated. Among
offenders age 24 or less at release with 11 or more prior arrests,
94% were subsequently charged with new crimes. Of the 108,000
prisoners released in the 11 States, 68,000 were rearrested and charged
with a total of 326,000 new felonies and serious misdemeanors within 3
years of release. Including arrests that occurred prior to their release
from prison in 1983, these 108,000 offenders accounted for 1.3 million
arrests for felonies and serious misdemeanors during their criminal
careers. These high rates of offending indicate that incapacitation has
significant crime control effects. (The offenders released in 1983 had
served a median of 1 year and 2 months in prison.)
Two recent studies on domestic violence illustrate the impact of
deterrence. The first is known as the Minneapolis experiment, in which
police responses to domestic assaults were studied. It was found that
police arrests of suspects were more effective in reducing recurrences of
violence than less forceful responses. (See Sherman and Berk, "The
specific deterrent effects of arrest for domestic assault," American
Sociological Review, no. 49, 1984).
The second study used data from the National Crime Survey sponsored
by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The study found that female victims
of domestic violence who called the police were less likely to be repeat
victims than female victims who did not call the police (Preventing
Domestic Violence Against Women, NCJ-102037, 1986).
Bureau of Justice Statistics response to "Statistical Information
Requests from the White House, 17 March 1989
Submitted March 24, 1989
4. What States have the best record on gun-use related crime? How does the record
correlate with any gun control or mandatory sentencing laws in such States?
The FBI annually collects data on weapon use for the offenses of murder and nonnegli-
gent manslaughter, robbery and aggravated assault. In 1987, 59% of murders and non-
negligent manslaughters, 33% of robberies, and 21% of aggravated assaults involved the
use of a firearm. On a per capita basis, in 1987 there were 4.88 firearm murders and
nonnegligent manslaughters, 70.18 robberies with a firearm, and 75.18 aggravated
assaults with a gun per 100,000 population. Altogether, violent firearm crimes occurred
in 1987 at a rate of 150.24 per 100,000 population. By contrast, in 1980 the murder and
nonnegligent manslaughter rate by firearms was 6.37, the gun-related robbery rate was
101.19, and the firearm-involved rate for aggravated assaults was 71.33 per 100,000
population. The total gun-crime rate in 1980 was 178.89, about 19% higher than the 1987
rate of 150.24.
Individual jurisdictions in 1987 varied considerably from the national gun-crime rate,
ranging from a high of 474.76 violent firearms crimes per 100,000 in Washington, D.C., to
a low of 4.82 in North Dakota (see attached tables 1 and 2). Thirty-two jurisdictions of
the 49 for which data are available had total gun-crime rates below the national rate.
Among the States there is wide variation in the types of laws, regulations, and
restrictions which apply to the purchase or transfer of firearms or selected types of
firearms. Classifying these restrictions necessarily obscures the individual details with
respect to purchaser restraints, dealer restraints, and the various types of weapons to
which specific requirements apply. Based upon information obtained from the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF), States were catalogued with respect to the
absence or presence of a mandatory waiting period prior to the purchase of a firearm. In
addition, BJS had previously commissioned a study of mandatory sentencing laws across
the States in 1986 which was carried out by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency. These two sources of data revealed that 20 States had provisions for a
waiting period prior to firearm purchase and 30 States had provisions for mandatory
terms of imprisonment for use of a firearm in the commission of a crime. (Ten States
had both measures.)
The table below shows a cross-classification of these two types of gun measures with the
1987 total gun-crime rates. As can be seen, States with gun-crime rates below the
national rate were considerably more likely (28.1%) to have neither gun-control measure
than were States with higher gun-crime rates (5.9%). (Put differently, 9 of the 10 States
with neither measure fell below the national rate.) Moreover, States with lower rates
were less likely to have a waiting period only or mandatory sentence only than States
with higher rates. However, low-rate States were somewhat more likely (21.9%) than
high-rate States (17.6%) to have both measures.
Number and percent of States with waiting periods
or mandatory sentences for gun crimes, 1987
States below
States above
the national
the national
Type of gun
gun-crime rate
gun-crime rate
control measure
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total
32 States
100.0%
17 States
100.0%
Waiting period only
5
15.6
5
29.4
Mandatory sentencing only
11
34.4
8
47.1
Both measures
7
21.9
3
17.6
Neither measure
9
28.1
1
5.9
Note: Two States, Kentucky and Montana, did not report complete data for 1987 and
are excluded. In 1987, the National gun-crime rate was 150.24 per 100,000 popula-
tion. Gun crimes are those murders and nonnegligent manslaughters, robberies, and
aggravated assaults in which a firearm was used.
The effect of gun-control measures is probably more rigorously assessed by use of a
research design which examines gun-crime rates before and after a gun-control measure
has been introduced in a particular locale. The National Institute of Justice has funded,
since 1978, studies of various gun measures and their effects in 6 cities (Detroit, Tampa,
Miami, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia). Generally, the results of these
studies have been inconclusive. Researchers examined violent crime rates before and
after the laws were passed and have found inconsistent patterns. Results of studies in
Michigan and Pennsylvania are typical. After passage of a mandatory minimum two-year
sentence for committing a felony with a gun in Michigan, the gun-homicide rate fell but
gun robberies and gun assaults did not decline. Two studies of Pennsylvania's five-year
mandatory sentence law appear to be contradictory--one study found reductions in
robberies and assaults and the other found a reduction in homicide but not in robberies
and assaults. The study of the Michigan law concluded that the Gun Law was not found
to have had a "discernible effect on the level or pattern of violent crime in Detroit."
Similarly, researchers who studied the Florida Felony Firearms Law concluded that
"there is little evidence that the introduction of the Florida gun law was followed by a
systematic decline in violent gun crimes in the cities that we examined." The violent
crime with the most consistent pattern across the six cities was gun homicide, which
showed small, and in some cases statistically insignificant, decreases after mandatory
sentencing was introduced. It should be noted in evaluating such studies that the passing
of tough mandatory sentencing laws does not necessarily lead to their intended
implementation.
Together, the pre-post study designs and the cross-sectional analysis presented above
seem to indicate that there is little direct empirical evidence of a correlation between
low gun-crime rates and gun-control measures from the currently available research and
statistics. However, a recently published study indicates a somewhat different finding.
In November 1988 the New England Journal of Medicine (Vol. 319, No.19) published a
study comparing handgun regulations and gun crimes in Seattle, Washington, and
Vancouver, British Columbia. The study received substantial press attention at the
time. The authors concluded that their study "suggests that the modest restriction of
citizens' access to firearms (especially handguns) is associated with lower rates of
homicide." There are several problems with this conclusion: (1) a comparison of only
two cities cannot be the basis for broad public policy generalizations; (2) the authors
themselves recognize that other factors unrelated to the gun-control laws might account
for the crime differences; and (3) there are many American cities, such as Washington,
D.C., that have strict gun-control laws but high levels of gun crimes.
The chief problem in assessing the relationship of gun-control measures to gun crime is
determining the cause and effect. On the one hand, measures such as mandatory
sentences or waiting periods may reduce gun crime from levels that would have existed
without such laws. On the other hand, it is States and cities which have high gun-crime
rates that are more likely to adopt such gun-control measures. Thus, high gun-crime
rates may coexist with stiff restrictions or penalties, even if such measures have a
positive effect in reducing gun violence.
Table 1. Gun control measures in States with gun-crime
rates lower than the national rate, 1987
Gun-control measure
Mandatory
Waiting
Total gun-
State
sentencing
period
crime rate
North Dakota
1
4.82
New Hampshire
1
14.83
Maine
15.17
South Dakota
1
21.47
Iowa
1
28.92
West Virginia
1
29.47
Vermont
29.93
Hawaii
1.
1
39.52
Idaho
1
41.04
Utah
41.61
Wyoming
46.41
Nebraska
53.24
Rhode Island
1
1
54.67
Minnesota
1
55.93
Delaware
1
56.01
Wisconsin
1
60.48
Pennsylvania
1
1
64.32
Virginia
1
74.07
Washington
1
81.66
Connecticut
1
1
82.59
Indiana
1
1
82.78
New Jersey
1
1
91.22
Arkansas
99.62
Ohio
99.65
Kansas
1
105.43
Oklahoma
107.94
Alaska
111.95
Colorado
1
115.59
Mississippi
1
119.97
Oregon
1
121.53
North Carolina
1
1
131.47
Massachusetts
1
138.40
National rate
150.24
Note: Total gun crime rate is the number of
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
homicides, robberies, and assaults in which a
Delinquency in 1986. Data on waiting periods
gun was used per 100,000 persons in juris-
are from State Laws and Published Ordinances-
dictions which reported this data in the
Firearms, BATF, 18th edition, pp. iv-vi.
Uniform Crime Reports. Raw data were
Kentucky and Montana are not included
supplied by the FBI. Data on mandatory
because of insufficient data.
sentencing are from a special survey done
for the Bureau of Justice Statistics by the
Table 2. Gun control measures in States with gun-crime
rates higher than the national rate, 1987
Gun-control measure
Mandatory
Waiting
Total gun-
State
sentencing
period
crime rate
National rate
150.24
Alabama
1
153.09
New Mexico
1
158.68
Nevada
1
161.33
South Carolina
1
168.28
Texas
182.68
Missouri
1
1
190.34
California
1
199.64
Arizona
1
200.70
Maryland
1
1
210.76
Georgia
1
212.28
Illinois
1
220.79
New York
1
224.67
Tennessee
1
235.45
Michigan
1
239.21
Louisiana
1
265.29
Florida
1
301.59
Washington, DC
1
1
474.76
Note: Total gun crime rate is the number of
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
homicides, robberies, and assaults in which a
Delinquency in 1986. Data on waiting periods
gun was used per 100,000 persons in juris-
are from State Laws and Published Ordinances-
dictions which reported this data in the
Firearms, BATF, 18th edition, pp. iv-vi.
Uniform Crime Reports. Raw data were
Kentucky and Montana are not included
supplied by the FBI. Data on mandatory
because of insufficient data.
sentencing are from a special survey done
for the Bureau of Justice Statistics by the
top
last your - 7,000 people
Davey Stohes
Ludis and
For Discussion
614-221-0120 502-451-2700
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 2, 1989
301-888-2264
Pres. Ladier and
Susie therefor COMBATTING VIOLENT CRIME
semithers for families
May 2, 1989
I.
Assault Weapons
A.
Ban a specified list of assault weapons -- Metzenbaum
and DeConcini
Work with the Congress to develop a list.
Provide the Secretary of the Treasury with
Grace
authority to recommend but not extend additional
weapons to that list.
Mastelli
A.
Wait until the Treasury review on suspended imports is
DOJ
concluded and make those weapons that fail to pass the
633-4787
sporting purposes test and are genuinely assault
weapons permanently banned for purposes of imports.
Bill or cook whet days this many
Amend current law to prohibit the domestic
manufacture, sale or transfer of weapons suspended
for imports.
B.
Seek legislation prohibiting the importation,
manufacturing, transfer or sale of gun magazines of
find more out
over 20 rounds.
honor story?
Ca?
II. Limiting Access to Weapons by Felons
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 requires the Attorney
General to develop a system for the immediate and accurate
identification of felons and others disqualified by law
attempting to purchase firearms.
A.
Direct the Attorney General to expand the National
Criminal Records Identification System Implementation study
to include a review and evaluation of state and local
procedures which have effectively limited criminal access to
firearms, and based on that review develop recommendations
for model state legislation to complement and enhance
efforts to reduce felons access to firearms. Local
procedures should be included in the review to the extent
that they can be identified.
This legislation might impose a waiting period, or use
other devices to facilitate accuracy in determining
whether an individual seeking to purchase a weapon from
R
2
a licensed gun dealer fits one or more of the
prescribed disqualifying characteristics included on
Treasury's form 4473:
1.
Convicted of a crime punishable by
imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
2.
Currently under indictment
3.
A fugitive from Justice;
4.
Addicted to a controlled substance or have
# of meapons
been committed to a mental institution;
used in crime
5.
An illegal alien;
that are bought illegally
6.
Adjudicated a mental defective or have been
committed to a mental institution;
7.
Dishonorably discharged from the armed
forces;
8.
Renounced one's U.S. citizenship.
B.
Require states to transfer felony conviction records to
the proper Federal authorities in a manner to be
determined by the Attorney General.
C.
Modify existing federal law to further control access
to weapons by felons and other ineligible individuals.
Add "convicted of a drug offense" to the Form 4473
question concerning whether the applicant is an
"unlawful user of, or addicted t.o" marijuana, or a
depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug.
Double the current penalty for a knowing or
materially false statement on Form 4473 to a
maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment and a
maximum fine of $10,000.
Enact provisions to close loopholes and clarify
offenses related to the sale or transfer of
firearms:
to facilitate the prosecution of unlicensed
gun dealers engaged in illegal weapons
transfers to aliens or transients;
--
to expand federal jurisdiction to permit
3
prosecution of transactions in stolen
firearms and weapons lacking serial numbers
in cases where the firearms have previously
moved in interstate or foreign commerce,
(present law requires the firearms be moving
in interstate commerce at the time of the
offense) ;
--
to provide a uniform standard to determine
whether or not a person is under federal
firearms disabilities based upon state
convictions;
--
to require that persons convicted under state
law of a serious drug offense or violent
felony apply to federal authorities in order
to have their firearms rights restored;
--
to amend provisions regarding the disposal of
forfeited firearms;
--
to clarify the definition of burglary in the
Armed Career Criminal Act to eliminate
loopholes caused by differing state laws.
III. Crime Control and Criminal Justice System Reforms
A.
Strengthening Current Laws
1.
Enact constitutionally sound procedures for
imposing federal death penalty provisions that now
2nd in
appear in many federal statutes for homicide,
espionage, and treason; standards include an
speed
aggravating factor for capital murder sentencing
which would permit the death penalty to be imposed
if the defendant used an automatic or semi-
automatic firearm in committing the offense, or
had previously been convicted of a violent felony
involving a firearm.
2.
Enact habeas corpus reform to establish a general
one-year time limit on federal applications by
honor stiries
state prisoners, require deference in federal
proceedings to the results of fair and reasonable
state court determinations. This will correct the
still filing after years
existing system of review, under which over 10,000
it costs to handle 3.
cases are annually filed.
what $ manhouss as
Establish a general "good faith" exception to the
exclusionary rule, under which evidence would be
processions, judges
admitted if the officers carrying out a search or
honor story!
4
seizure acted with an objectively reasonable
belief that their conduct was in conformity with
the Fourth Amendment; and clarify that courts may
not exclude evidence on the basis of non-
constitutional violations in the absence of
statutory authority for doing so.
4.
Enhanced penalties for federal firearms violations
read
Double the mandatory penalty under 18 U.S.C.
924 (c) for the use of a semi-automatic
CHECK
inten
firearm during the commission of a violent
fuely
crime or drug felony from five to ten years.
automatic
states
Allow for pre-trial preventive detention of
honor
defendants in cases involving certain serious
story
firearms and explosive offenses.
Authorize criminal penalties and mandatory
minimum sentences for theft of a firearm.
Enhance penalties for smuggling firearms into
the United States while engaged in, or in the
furtherance of, drug trafficking.
Amend the Armed Career Criminal statute to
count as predicate offenses acts of juvenile
heck
deliquency which if committed by an adult
would constitute a serious drug offense.
or
(N.B. Many youthful repeat offenders
more
presently escape coverage of the enhanced
games?
career criminal penalties because most of
their prior offenses were charged as juvenile
delinquency.)
5.
Urge all states to adopt model state legislation
providing mandatory minimum sentences for criminal
offenses involving firearms.
(Option - Condition eligibility for certain
federal grants on state compliance with enactment
pronde
of mandatory minimum sentences.)
1
6.
Amend the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to provide
y
that upon completion of the first year of the
hower
eight district pilot test regarding drug testing
as mandatory condition of federal supervised
plus
story
release or parole, that Attorney General be
directed to submit legislation to implement such
toch
not privoity ingh
mandatory testing on a national basis; in
assiste
addition, urge states to adopt similar mandatory
drug testing programs as a condtion of parole.
5
B.
Enhancing Enforcement
1.
Increase funds for the Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms Bureau to provide for the hiring,
training and equipping of 250 ATF special agents,
inspectors and support personnel to investigate
#
assault weapon and other firearms violations by
armed career criminal and repeat offenders.
get
2.
Increase funds for the U.S. Marshals to provide
for about 100 additional positions for the
money
Marshals Fugitive Investigations and Court Orders
frgures
Program. This would direct greater Federal
efforts to seizing fugitives and career criminals.
% increases?
3.
Increase funds for the FBI to provide for about
200 additional positions for the Bureau's Violent
Crime and Major Offenders Program. In part, this
would assist States and localities improve their
efforts in fighting violent crime through greater
Federal/State cooperation.
4.
The new BATF special agents and other federal law
enforcement agents will be dedicated to federal,
get
state and local cooperative Task Forces, including
more
five which will be headquartered in major cities
with serious crime problems, to target and
investigate violent and career criminals who are
add AG/Sec Treas.
subject to prosecution as repeat offenders under
Federal firearms laws and related statutes.
coord. language
The Task Forces will be based on a proven concept
-- the mobilization of Federal, state and local
law enforcement in cooperative efforts to get
violent and dangerous criminals off the streets.
5.
The Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury
will be directed to develop a coordinated strategy
for the deployment of these additional federal
resources for working with state and local
authorities.
6.
Urge states and local law enforcement authorities
to increase their enforcement resources devoted to
identification and apprehension of violent
criminal offenders.
1
C.
Enhancing Prosecution
1.
Increase funds for the U.S. Attorneys to support
weapons
Mouses
LOCK 5 OF PROSE
offottor
6
privoritis
1,600 additional positions to litigate drug cases
0% incense
money laundering and procurement fraud cases, and
weapons offenses in various U.S. Attorney offices.
polatial # of uses
defendents 2.
Increase funds for the Criminal Division to
offenses
support 168 additional positions to be applied to
organized crime, fraud, narcotics and dangerous
drug cases.
primity and other
Additional funds for the support of Federal
prisoners to provide U.S. Marshals with more space
associated with pre-sentenced prisoners resulting
from additional arrests and prosecutions
(approximately 300,000 more jail days).
4.
Direct the Attorney General to issue and fully
implement guidelines for federal prosecutors
regarding plea bargaining under the Sentencing
Reform Act to assure that the exercise of
prosecutorial discretion in charge selection and
bargaining effectively reflects the seriousness of
the defendant's conduct and the Department's
commitment to statutory sentencing goals and
procedures. Also to urge state and local
prosecutors to examine and consider reforming
their plea bargaining practices.
5.
Enhance support to the Judiciary by $40 million
for FY 1990 to cover costs associated with
processing increased numbers of criminal
defendants and for additional federal criminal
prosecutions.
D.
Expanding Prison Capacity
Fedrial
State
% increase1
Seek legislation to authorize the construction of
over 26,000 new federal prison beds for $1.5
# of new prisons
billion.
duy prison
2.
Direct the Attorney General to work with the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Education,
not ?
and the Administrator of the General Services
Administration to identify properties and
facilities suitable for conversion to use as
federal prisons.
3.
Direct the Attorney General to recommend means by
which the deportation of convicted criminal aliens
might be expedited.
4.
Commend and encourage state prison construction.
inser Hirm 70,000
April
7
D.
Expanding Prison Capacity
1.
Seek legislation authorizing an additional $1
billion for prison construction, bringing the
total 1990 budget to $1.5 billion. This will
increase prison capacity by about 85 percent,
adding over 26,000 new federal prison beds.
Present rated federal prison capacity is 30,951
beds, the present federal prison population is
48,000, or 54 percent overcrowded.
2.
Direct the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of
Education, and the Administrator of the General
Services Administration to work with the Attorney
General to identify expeditiously properties and
facilities suitable for conversion to use as
federal prisons or jails.
3.
Direct the Attorney General to recommend means for
expediting the deportation of convicted criminal
aliens.
4.
Commend and encourage state prison construction
efforts.
O
States have already funded over 79,000 new
bedspaces to be constructed by 1994.
The states are also considering constructing
70,000 additional bedspaces.
8
E.
Resource Enhancement Summary
Penalties:
State Grant Bonus
$ 6.0 million
Enforcement:
BATF
$12.5 million
U.S. Marshals
$ 8.0 million
FBI
$13.0 million
Prosecution:
U.S. Attorneys
$50.0 million
Criminal Division
$ 5.0 million
Unsentenced Prisoner Support
$13.0 million
Courts
$40.0 million
Prisons:
Federal Prison Construction
$ 1.0 billion
(This will bring the total 1990 prison construction budget
to $1.5 billion, which includes $115 million available from
the Special Forfeiture Fund available to the Office of
National Drug Control Policy, and $401 million in the
original Bush Budget.)
9
FACT SHEET ON SPENDING ASSOCIATED
WITH THE
COMBATTING VIOLENT CRIME INITIATIVE
The President proposes to add $1 billion to the 1990
Budget for prison construction, bringing the total 1990
Budget for prison construction to $1.5 billion. This
will increase Federal prison capacity by about 85
percent, creating over 26,000 additional bedspaces for
convicted criminals. The Federal prison system, rated
at a capacity of 30,951, presently houses a prisoner
population of 48,000 -- a 54 percent overcrowding rate.
Implementation of the President's proposal will assure
elimination of revolving door justice at the Federal
level. Never again can a lack of Federal prisons space
be allowed to discourage investigators from
apprehending criminals or prevent prosecutors from
seeking, or judges from ordering tough sentences.
S/3 4pm
BACK-UP TABLE TO CRIME INITIATIVE
CO1-8WO:A8-INBS
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
1990 CRIME INITIATIVE
Original
1989 Enacted
1990 Bush 1/
Crime Initiative
Program
BA Outlays
BA
Outlays
BA Outlays
Comments Regarding Initiative
Prison Construction
388
203
401 2/
317
+1,000
+70
Over 18,000 new prison beds for a total of over 26,000 in the 1990 budget.
Housing Unsentenced
110
89
147
143
+13
+8
Prisoners
300,000 added jail days for unsentenced prisoners.
US Attorneys
460
450
500
466
+50
+44
1,600 additional positions to litigate drug cases,
money laundering and procurement fraud, and weapons offenses.
Gen'l Legal Activities
245
227
297
292
+5
+5
(Criminal Division)
168 additional positions to investigate and litigate organized crime, fraud,
narcotic and dangerous drug cases, and to increase internal security.
FB1
1,439
1,463
1,558
1,484
+13
+10
200 additional positions for the Violent Crime and Major Offenders Program.
Marshals
205
206
230
230
+8
+7
100 additional positions to increase Federal efforts to sieze
fugitives and career criminals.
Judiciary
1,506
1,478
1,541
1,513
+40
+39
Processing additional criminal prosecutions.
Alchohol, Tobacco,
and Firearms
241
239
236
248
+13
+12
250 additional special agents and associated personnel.
TOTAL 3/
4,594
4,355
4,910
4,693
+1,142
+195
1/ Does not include $50 million budget amendment to address financial institution fraud soon to be transmitted to the Hill.
2/ Also available is $115 million from the Special Forfeiture Fund of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
3/ 1990 estimates include funding from the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Account which, in 1989, was funded from within the programs shown.
4567739:#
DRAFT 5/11
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 1989
"When it comes to criminal justice, our first priority must
be to keep the criminals away from the good and decent
people who want to raise their families in peace and
safety.
"
Vice President George Bush
August 9, 1988
Erie, Pennsylvania
"I believe strongly that swift and sure punishment is a
deterrent. Criminals need to know that they will pay a
price
Vice President George Bush
October 6, 1988
Fort Worth Texas
FACT SHEET
COMBATTING VIOLENT CRIME
The President outlined today a comprehensive program to
combat violent crime. The program is designed to strengthen the
nation's criminal justice system and the federal, state and local
law enforcement partnership.
The program is grounded in the President's belief that
greater certainty of apprehension, prosecution, and punishment
will help deter crimes of violence. It includes proposals to
strengthen current Federal, State and local laws, to step up
enforcement, and to hold perpetrators of crimes fully
accountable for their actions.
Although the overall rate of crime increased only 1.4% in
1987, the incidence of violent crimes, including firearms
offenses, has grown more rapidly.
The wanton and random "wilding" in Central Park, the
shooting of the children in the schoolyard in Stockton,
California, and the violent, drug related turf battles being
fought in our nation's Capital, underscore the need for law
enforcement officials to have additional resources and legal
are held tully accountable for their actions it 1S
essential to eliminate certain gaps in existing law and to
strengthen some existing statutes.
A.
Enhanced penalties for firearms violations
The President proposed seven changes in Federal
firearms laws which would:
1.
Double the mandatory penalty from five to ten
years under 18 U.S.C. 924 (c) for the use of a
semi-automatic firearm during the commission of a
violent crime or drug felony.
2
tools to more vigorously and effectively enforce the Federal,
State and local statutes and put an end to revolving door justice
caused by crowded prisons, overburdened prosecutors, and legal
loopholes.
The President is proposing a common sense approach to crime
with initiatives to limit access to weapons by criminals, to
reform the criminal justice system, to enhance enforcement and
prosecution, and to expand prison capacity to assure both the
certainty and severity of punishment.
Four principles underlie the goals of our criminal justice
system and the means for accomplishing them.
A primary purpose of government is to protect citizens
and their property. Americans deserve to live in a
society in which they are safe and feel secure.
Those who commit violent criminal offenses should, and
must, be held accountable for their actions.
Our criminal justice system must have as its objective
the swift and certain apprehension, prosecution, and
incarceration of those who break the law.
Success in accomplishing our criminal justice system
goals requires a sustained, cooperative effort by
Federal, State and local law enforcement authorities.
The President today proposed a comprehensive four part
program to strengthen current laws, enhance enforcement and
apprehension of criminals, facilitate prosecutions, and expand
federal prison capacity.
I.
STRENGTHENING CURRENT LAWS
To assure that those who commit violent criminal offenses
are held fully accountable for their actions it is
essential to eliminate certain gaps in existing law and to
strengthen some existing statutes.
A.
Enhanced penalties for firearms violations
The President proposed seven changes in Federal
firearms laws which would:
1.
Double the mandatory penalty from five to ten
years under 18 U.S.C. 924(c) for the use of a
semi-automatic firearm during the commission of a
violent crime or drug felony.
3
2.
Amend the Armed Career Criminal statute to count
as predicate offenses acts of juvenile delinquency
which if committed by an adult would constitute a
serious drug offense. Many youthful repeat
offenders presently escape coverage of the
enhanced career criminal penalties because most of
their prior offenses were charged as juvenile
delinquency.
3.
Allow for pre-trial preventive detention of
defendants in cases involving certain serious
firearms and explosive offenses.
4.
Authorize criminal penalties and mandatory minimum
sentences for theft of a firearm.
5.
Enhance penalties for smuggling firearms into the
United States while engaged in, or in the
furtherance of, drug trafficking.
6.
Require mandatory revocation of supervised release
for those possessing a firearm anytime before the
term of their supervised release expires.
7.
Double the current penalty for a knowing or
materially false statement on ATF Form 4473 to a
maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment and a
maximum fine of $10,000.
The President also urged all states to adopt model
legislation providing mandatory minimum sentences for
criminal offenses involving firearms to parallel
Federal mandatory minimum provisions. He directed the
Attorney General to provide the States with related
technical assistance through the Law Enforcement
Coordinating Committees (LECCs) At present, thirty
states have some provision for mandatory terms of
imprisonment for use of firearms in the commission of a
crime.
The President proposed providing a 5 percent bonus to
the formula law enforcement grants received by those
states which adopt this model legislation.
4
B.
Restricting Plea Bargaining
If our criminal justice system is to achieve its
objective of assuring that those who commit violent
offenses are held fully accountable for their actions,
plea bargaining practices nationwide must be reformed.
Too often, serious felons walk away from court after
pleading guilty to minor offenses and misdemeanors
because overburdened prosecutors have accepted plea
agreements rather than going to trial. The lesser
charges result in lesser sentences or probation and
repeat offenders continue to beat the system. To speed
an end to such plea bargaining:
1.
The President directed the Attorney General to
issue and fully implement guidelines for federal
prosecutors regarding plea bargaining under the
Sentencing Reform Act to assure that Federal
charges always reflect both the seriousness of the
defendant's conduct and the Department's
commitment to statutory sentencing goals and
procedures.
2.
The President urged state and local governments to
reform their plea bargaining and sentencing
practices along similar lines and to devote
increased resources to prosecutions.
C.
Enacting Death Penalty Procedures
The criminal justice system must accord paramount
importance to the protection of innocent life. The
murderous "assault weapon" armed gang member, the
terrorist, the traitor and the assassin, who threaten
American lives and the nation's security must know that
they will face the death penalty for their crimes.
The President proposed to restore an enforceable death
penalty for the most aggravated Federal crimes. His
proposal includes adequate standards and
constitutionally sound procedures for imposing the
federal death penalty provisions that now appear in
federal statutes for homicide, espionage, and treason.
It would also authorize the death penalty for a number
of new offenses, such as murder for hire. In direct
response to the increase in firearms-related violence,
the proposal would authorize capital punishment in
murder cases where the killer uses a fully- or semi-
automatic firearm in committing the offense, or has
previously been convicted of a violent felony involving
a firearm.
5
D.
Restricting Imported Weapons
When the Treasury Department study of imported weapons
is completed the Administration will make permanent the
temporary suspension on imported asssault weapons that
fail to meet the criteria specified in the Gun Control
Act of 1968 (18 USC 925).
E.
Preventing Circumvention of Import Laws
The President will propose an amendment to ensure that
actions taken under the provisions of the Gun Control
Act of 1968 shall not be circumvented by domestic
assembly of such weapons or any combination of domestic
and foreign assembly of such weapons.
F.
Restricting Gun Magazines
The President will propose legislation prohibiting the
importation, manufacture, transfer, or sale of gun
magazines of over 15 rounds for use by private
citizens.
G.
Limiting Access to Weapons by Criminals
In addition to greater penalties for misusing firearms
it is also important to limit access to weapons by
criminals. This can be facilitated in three ways:
1.
Strengthening and Expanding Prohibitions on
Access to Weapons by Criminals
a.
The President proposed to bar the sale of
firearms to, or possession of firearms by,
persons convicted of any violent offense,
expanding the existing prohibition to cover
individuals convicted of violent misdeamor
offenses, such as some of those on Partick
Purdy's criminal record.
b.
The President also proposed to bar the sale
of firearms to, or possession of firearms by,
persons convicted of any serious drug
offense.
2.
Improving Mechanisms for Identifying Criminals Who
Attempt to Purchase Firearms
The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 requires the
Attorney General to develop a system for the
immediate and accurate identification of felons
and others who attempt to purchase firearms but
6
are barred by federal law [18 U.S.C. 922 (g) (1) ]
from buying or possessing firearms. The initial
stage of the study must be completed by November
18, 1989.
a.
The President directed the Attorney General
to expand the National Criminal Records
Identification System Implementation study to
include a review and evaluation of State and
local procedures which have effectively
limited criminal access to firearms, and
based on that review and in consultation
with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and
Firearms, to develop recommendations for
model state legislation and procedures to
complement and enhance efforts to reduce
felons access to firearms.
Model legislation or procedures might
include a reasonably structured waiting
period, or use other devices to facilitate
accuracy in determining whether an individual
seeking to purchase a weapon from a licensed
gun dealer is ineligible by reason of
federal law. At present, more than twenty
States have waiting periods or other
requirements.
b.
The President urged States to transfer
criminal history conviction, sentencing, and
other case disposition records to the proper
Federal authorities. He also directed the
Attorney General to recommend additional
improvements in the criminal records data
system. The quality of criminal history data
is a critical factor in crime control and
prevention. At present, the only criminal
history records consistently reported by
States and localities are arrest records.
Timely and accurate reporting of conviction,
sentencing and other case disposition records
is essential to the effective operation of
the nation's criminal justice system. To
improve the national data base, States should
make such criminal record reporting mandatory
and take steps to insure that centralized
State criminal history repositories are
adequately funded and managed. In addition,
States should maintain records and report on
all serious crimes committed by juveniles who
frequently continue their criminal careers
into adulthood, but often escape early
7
identification as repeat offenders and
recidivists because their juvenile records
are not reported.
3.
Eliminating Loopholes and Clarifying Existing
Offenses
The President also proposed to eliminate
loopholes and clarify existing offenses related to
the sale or transfer of firearms, in order to:
a.
facilitate the prosecution of unlicensed gun
dealers engaged in illegal weapons transfers
to aliens or transients;
b.
expand federal jurisdiction to permit
prosecution of transactions in stolen
firearms and weapons lacking serial numbers
in cases where the firearms have previously
moved in interstate or foreign commerce,
(present law requires the firearms be moving
in interstate commerce at the time of the
offense) ;
C.
provide a uniform standard to determine
whether a person is under federal firearms
disabilities based upon state convictions;
d.
require that persons convicted under state
law of a serious drug offense or violent
felony apply to federal authorities in order
to have their firearms rights restored;
e.
amend provisions regarding the disposal of
forfeited firearms; and
f.
clarify the definition of burglary in the
Armed Career Criminal Act to eliminate
loopholes caused by differing state laws.
H.
Drug Testing as a Condition of Release
The President also proposed to authorize and fund
nationwide 1990 implementation of drug testing as a
mandatory condition of federal probation, parole or
supervised release. It is estimated that 81,500 people
will be on some form of Federal supervised release in
1990. The Justice Department and the Federal Judiciary
will coordinate implementation of this program.
The President urged states to adopt similar mandatory
drug testing programs as a condition of parole.
8
II. AUGMENTING ENFORCEMENT
A primary purpose of government is to protect citizens and
their property. This requires the sustained cooperative
commitment of Federal, State and local law enforcement
officials. Apprehending violent offenders requires
increased enforcement personnel, improved cooperation among
law enforcement authorities, and not permitting the
exclusion of evidence on legal technicalities.
A.
Additional ATF Special Agents
The President proposed to increase funds for the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to provide for the
hiring, training and equipping of 375 ATF special
agents, inspectors and support personnel to investigate
assault weapon and other firearms violations by armed
career criminal and repeat offenders.
B.
Additional U.S. Marshals
The President proposed to increase funds for the U.S.
Marshals to provide for about 150 additional positions
for the Marshals Fugitive Investigations and Court
Orders Program. This would direct greater Federal
efforts to capturing fugitives and career criminals.
C.
Additional FBI Agents
The President proposed to increase funds for the FBI to
provide for about 300 additional positions for the
Bureau's Violent Crime and Major Offenders Program and
Organized Crime Program and to assist States and
localities improve their efforts in fighting violent
crime through greater Federal/State cooperation.
D.
Coordinated Task Forces
The President directed the Attorney General and
Secretary of the Treasury to develop a coordinated
strategy for the deployment of the additional U.S.
Marshals, ATF and FBI agents. Their deployment will
emphasize working closely with state and local
authorities in task forces to target and investigate
career criminals who are subject to prosecution as
repeat offenders under Federal firearms laws and
related statutes.
9
E.
State and Local Resources
The President urged State and local authorities to
increase their law enforcement resources devoted to
identifying and apprehending violent criminal
offenders.
F.
Exclusionary Rule Reform
The President proposed to establish a general "good
faith" exception to the exclusionary rule which would
permit evidence to be admitted if the officers carrying
out a search or seizure acted with an objectively
reasonable belief that their conduct was in conformity
with the Fourth Amendment. The reform legislation
would clarify that courts may not exclude evidence on
the basis of non-constitutional violations in the
absence of statutory authority for doing so.
III. ENHANCING PROSECUTION
In order to assure that criminals are held accountable for
their offenses, certainty of prosecution must accompany
severity of punishment. Federal, State and local
authorities must expand and coordinate their prosecutorial
efforts.
Nt
NUSA
A.
Additional Assistant U.S. Attorneys
NF
support
The President proposed to increase funds for the U.S.
Attorneys to support 1,600 additional positions to
handle the increased number of federal defendants and
to prosecute more drug cases, weapons offenses, and
other priority matters.
B.
Additional Criminal Division Attorneys
The President proposed to increase funds for the
Justice Department Criminal Division to support 168
additional positions to be applied to drug cases,
weapons offenses, and other priority matters, including
activities to foster State and local cooperation and
coordinated law enforcement strategies.
C.
Additional Housing for Unsentenced Prisoners
The President proposed additional funds for U.S.
Marshals to provide transportation and 300,000 added
jail days for unsentenced prisoners and pre-trial
detainees.
10
D.
Additional Judicial Branch Resources
The President proposed increasing support to the
Judiciary by $40 million for FY 1990 to cover costs
associated with processing increased numbers of
criminal defendants and for additional federal criminal
prosecutions.
E.
Habeas Corpus Reform
The President proposed immediate enactment of habeas
corpus reform to establish a general one-year time
limit on federal applications by state prisoners; and
to require deference in federal proceedings to the
results of fair and reasonable state court
determinations. This will correct the existing system
of review, under which over 10,000 cases are annually
filed consuming the equivalent of approximately 40
federal judge-years.
IV. EXPANDING PRISON CAPACITY
Prison overcrowding remains a national problem. The most
acute problem is at the Federal level. At both the
Federal and State level prison overcrowding is a factor in
sentencing. At the State and local levels it is often
responsible for the early release of convicted criminals.
A.
Expanding Federal Prison Construction
The President proposed an additional $1 billion for
Federal prison construction, bringing the total 1990
budget to over $1.5 billion. This will increase prison
capacity by about 85 percent, adding over 26,000 new
federal prison beds. Present rated federal prison
capacity is 30,951 beds, the present federal prison
population is approximately 48,000.
B.
Converting Unused Federal Properties
The President directed the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of Education, and the Administrator of the
General Services Administration to work with the
Attorney General to identify expeditiously properties
and facilities suitable for conversion for use as
federal prisons or jails.
C.
Deporting Criminal Aliens
The President proposed to provide the Attorney General
with additional resources for the Immigration and
11
Naturalization Service (INS) and the Executive Office
for Immigration Review in order to expedite the
deportation of convicted criminal aliens.
Crimes committed by aliens are rising
disproportionately in relation to the general
population and entailing more violent and drug-related
crime.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has identified 9,254
aliens in its facilities, 20.6 percent of its total
inmate population.
D.
Encouraging State Prison Construction
The President commended and encouraged State prison
construction efforts. States currently have
construction of 63,452 new bedspaces underway. An
additional 78,094 bedspaces are planned and funding has
been secured for their construction. Moreover, States
have requested construction of 72,190 additional
bedspaces.
12
Funding Summary
Enforcement:
BATF
$19.0 million
U.S. Marshals
$12.0 million
FBI
$20.0 million
Prosecution:
U.S. Attorneys
$50.0 million
Criminal Division
$ 5.0 million
Unsentenced Prisoner Support
$13.0 million
Courts
$40.0 million
Drug Testing:
Mandatory Testing
$11.0 million
Criminal Alien Deportation:
INS
$13.0 million
EOIR (Executive Office for
Immigration Review)
$ 1.0 million
State Grant Bonus:
Office of Justice Programs (Bonus)
$ 6.0 million
SUBTOTAL (non-prison)
$190.0 million
Prisons:
Federal Prison Construction
$1.0 billion
This will bring the total 1990 prison construction budget to
over $1.5 billion, which includes $115 million available
from the Special Forfeiture Fund available to the Office of
National Drug Control Policy, and $401 million in the
original Bush Budget.
TOTAL
$1.702 billion*
*This total can be accommodated within the overall domestic
discretionary spending cap set in the Bipartisan Budget
Agreement.
NEW YORK POST
METRO EDITION
16,
1989
Rain,
55-60
today)
of
rain,
Page
2
40
New
York
Gy
50t
elsewhere
'TAKE BACK
THE
Bush unveils $1.2B
program to fight
the war on crime
STREETS'
Plan includes money for jails, limits on semiautomatics: Page 4
From suburbs
to slammer
By DON BRODERICK
N.J. coed's crack
Laurie Cuzzolino's fall
from a suburban "girl
habit leads to
next door" to a murder
charge and jail cell
cabbie slay rap
began gradually - and
then accelerated in a har-
18-year-old senior, ac-
rowing, crack-induced
cused with her boyfriend
spiral, her friends said
in the slaying of a New
yesterday.
York cabbie, was intelli-
gent - maybe too intelli-
Classmates at New Jer-
gent.
PAUL HERNANDEZ
sey's Scotch Plains-Fan-
She earned good grades
Boyfriend under arrest.
wood HS agreed that the
Continued on Page 5
LAURIE CUZZOLINO: "Laurie does what Laurie wants."
NEW YORK POST, TUESDAY, MAY 1989
Ku CRIME
FOR EDDIE BYRNE
By DEBORAH ORIN Bureau Chief
weapons permanent and didn't extend
the ban to U.S.-made attack weapons.
WASHINGTON President Bush
Instead, he called for laws to limit the
yesterday held up the badge of
number of bullets a semiantomatic can
slain New York rookie cop Edward
fire by outlawing "unjustifiably large
Byrne as he unveiled a $1.2 billion
magazines" or gun elips that fire more
than 15 rounds without reloading.
anti-crime package with tougher
Skeptics of the Bush approach includ-
penalties for criminals who use at-
ing some administration officials - be-
tack weapons.
Heve it will be a lot easter for criminals to
"We're going to take back the streets
get illegal gum citps than to get illegal
by taking criminals off the streets,"
guns.
Bush said, speaking behind a bullet-
Bush held up Byrne's badge and read
the number 14072 - as be noted the
proof shield at a Capitol Hill ceremony
slain cop was wearing it the day be was
for the-161 cops killed nationwide last
gunned down by "a gang of cocaine de-
year.
ards" in Queens.
EDWARD SYRNE
But be delayed making his temporary
He addressed the slain cop's father,
Bush flashes his budge.
ban on imports of semiautomatic attack
Matthew, who gave him the badge during
last fall's election cam-
paign, saying:
"Your son's badge, as I
Bush dedicates crime war
have told you, is kept in
my desk at. the Oval Of-
fice."
to officer slain in Queens
Bush, in effect, dedicated
his crime package to
Byrne, slain while guard-
asked.
ing a drug case witness,
Continued from Page 4
Administration insiders say
saying it is "for Eddie
murder-for-hire. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-
White House chief of staff John
Byrne, for every [alain]
Sununu urged Bush to focus on
officer we honor here
Mass.). a leading gun-control ad.
gun magazines instead of the ac-
today. and for America."
vocate, praised parts of the pack-
tual weapons to reduce opposi-
He also evoked the
age, but said Bush "pulled his
tion from gun-lovers.
memories of both the
punch" on semiautomatics and
should have extended the ban to
Handgun Control. the gun-con-
brutal assault on a Central
trol lobby. said Bush showed
Park jogger and the How-
U.S.-made weapons.
leadership by recognizing that
and Beach attack by a
The ban on imports covers only.
"the weapons themselves are a
white gang that killed a
25 percent of attack weapons
problem" - not just criminals
black man in calling for
75 percent of which are made in
who use them.
new anti-crime action.
the United States.
Sen. Alfonse D'Amato (R-N.Y.)
"Whether it's the brutall-
But National Rifle Assn.
said he favors tougher limits on
ration of a young runner in
spokesman Wayne LaPierre
semiautomatics, but banning
a park or terrorizing a
blasted Bush for urging limits on
U.S.-made weapons requires
young man onto a crowded
gun clips.
legislation and Congress may
highway, these are acts
not have the votes.
that cannot be excused or
"Does the Bush administration
Bush had been expected to
explained away," Bush
seriously think that criminals
make his temporary ban on Im-
said.
who smuggle tons of cocaine and
marijuana into our country
ports permanent yesterday -
The Bush plan also in-
won't also smuggle in as many
but held off, saying a study of
cludes: $1 billion in new
firearms and high-capacity
whether the guns are suitable for
money for prisons, calls
magazines
as
they
want?"
be
hunting is continuing.
for criminals who carry
semiautomatics to get at
least 10 extra years in jail
Agence
and urges the death pen-
PRESIDENTIAL HANDSHAKE: President Bush greets whesichair-bound Offi-
alty for such crimes as
cer Paul Kelly at ceremony for the 161 cops killed last year in the line of duty.
Continued on Page 21
How prez would combat thugs
violent federal firearms of-
By DEBORAH ORIN
would review court orders
Model
legislation
fenses if the resulting sen-
Bureau Chief
to relieve jail overcrowd-
would be promoted amon]
tence would be less than
ing, gauging their impact
the states - and it migh
WASHINGTON - Here
the mandatory minimum.
on public security.
include
mandator
are key elements of the
for the crime committed.
Import, manufacture,
waiting periods for gu
$1.2 billion anti-crime
The death penalty for
transfer and sale of gun
purchase.
package that President
murder-for-hire would be
clips that hold over 15
All federal prisoner
Bush proposed yesterday:
added to federal statutes.
rounds would be banned.
allowed out of jall 0:
The mandatory federal
The Bureau of Alcohol,
(This will require Congres
probation. parole or super
penalty for using a semi-
Tobacco and Firearms
to pass legislation.)
vised release would b
automatic weapon during
would continue its study on
Sale of firearms to
tested for drugs.
a violent crime or drug
imports of semiautomatic
those convicted of violent
A total of 375 new AT!
felony would be doubled -
attack weapons.
misdemeanors would be
agents, 150 new U.S. mai
from five to 10 years -
When it is done, the cur-
barred - as they now are
shals and 300 FBI agent
with parole and probation
rent temporary ban will
for those convicted of vio-
would be commissioned t
barred.
become permanent on "the
lent felonies. (This would
fight violent crime and 01
Pre-trial detention
imported weapons, If any,"
close the loophole that let of
ganized crime, and 1,60
would be permitted for
that are found to have no
disturbed California man
new U.S. attorneys woul
people accused of serious
justifiable sporting use.
buy the assault weapon he
focus on drug and weapon
federal firearms and ex-
Another $1 billion
used to kill five children.)
charges.
plosive offenses.
would be available for fed-
Sale of firearms to any-
The attorney general
eral prisons, making a
one convicted of serious
Prez earned 156G on
would direct prosecutors
total of $1.5 billion for 1990.
drug offenses would be
Investments/Page 2:
to end plea-bargaining for
The attorney general
prohibited.
Tuesday, May 16, 1969
DAILY NEWS
'Ta wack the SU eets
By FRANK JACKMAN
News Washington Burnets.
WASHINGTON
Bush declares his $1.2B war on crime
Presi-
dent Bush yesterday unveiled
streets by taking the crimi-
Islation, to outlaw U.S.-made
a $1.2 billion anti-crime plan
able magazines" that hold as
nals off the streets."
NEW
prosecutors
$
convict
models of semi-automatic
to "take back the streets" by
many 23 50 or 100 rounds.
Bush postponed a decision
them, and new prisons to
weapons, even though many
building more federal jails,
The Uzi and AK-47 hold
hold them.
- pending completion of a
are identical to foreign guns.
about 30.
hiring more lawmen and
study - on whether to make
Instead, he proposed legis-
prosecutors and increasing
Speaking to relatives of
The badge be keeps
permanent the temporary
lation to ban the manufac-
prison sentences.
some of the 161 police offi-
ban be imposed March 14
Bush singled out Matthew
ture, transfer or sale of gun
Outlining his proposals to &
foreign-made semi-automatic
cers killed in the line of duty
Byrne, father of slain New
magazines that hold more
rain-drenched crowd at a po-
last year, Bush described his
assault weapons such as the
York City Police Officer Ed-
than 15 bullets. A senior
lice memorial service outside
Chinese AK-47 and the Israe-
program as on attack against
White House official said
ward Byrne, saying, "Matt,
the Capitol, Bush said:
lawbreakers on "four fronts
li Uzt.
your son's badge, as I have
some assault-type semiauto-
"We're going to take back the
He did not ask for new leg-
new laws to punish them,
told you, is kept in my desk at
maties have "large detach-
new agents to arrest them,
the Oval Office: And during
the debate on gun-related vi-
The First Lady has the last word
olence
neither it, nor what
it represents, has ever been
far from my mind"
Bush identified the badge
as the one young Byrne was
wearing when he was gunned
down in Jamaica, Queens, by
a "gang of cocaine cowards."
Bush said "people must be
held accountable for their ac-
tions" and sought to drama-
tize the point with references
to both the gang-rape of a jog-
ger in Central Park and the
1988 racial attack on three
black men in Howard Beach,
Queens.
"Whether it's the brutaliza-
tion of a young runner in a
park or terrorizing a young
man onto a crowded highway,
these are acts that cannot be
excused or explained away,"
Bush said.
Stronger penalties
Bush called on Congress to
expand the federal death
penalty to cover any murder
committed with an automatic
or semi-automatic weapon
and to double to 10 years the
minimum sentence for those
convicted of using such a
weapon while committing a
violent or drug-related crime.
Most of the money - $1 bil-
lion - in Bush's plan would
go to increase federal prison
capacity by 26,000 beds, a
nearly 80% increase.
He also wants to hire 300
more FBI agents, 150 more
federal marshals, 375 new of-
ficers for the Bureau of Alco-
BARBARA BUSH has the floor at commencement day for Bennett
hol. Tobacco and Firearms
college board of trustace, seems to be delighted to lend an ear. Mrs.
College, Greensboro, N.C., and Robert Chiles, chairman of the
Bush went on to give principal commencement speech Sunday.
and 1,600 new prosecutors
and staff in U.S. attorneys' of-
fices around the nation.
Gotti men get big break in trial
By RUBEN ROSARIO
The charge, also known as
neglia still face 50 years," he
jury tampering. A mistrial
ing ring in the early 1960s.
the "848 count," has been
said.
was declared in the second
Ruggiero and six other co-
The federal judge presid-
used successfully in the past
Defense lawyers hailed the
trial last July after a different
defendants have been sev-
ing over the racketeering and
to prosecute the leaders of
decision as a major victory.
set of jurors found them-
drug-trafficking retrial of re-
ered from the case and await
drug rings. Conviction carries
The defendants declined to
selves deadlocked.
trial
puted Gambino mobsters
a prison term of 10 years to
speak to reporters.
Gene Gotti and John Carneg-
life, with no hope of parole.
"Our position all along has
Bartels, the third judge to
The lawyers also contend-
lia shocked prosecutors yes-
been that there was no evi-
hear the case, issued his rul-
ed that the government had
terday when he tossed out the
Defense sees victory
dence presented to substanti-
ing during a post-trial motion
failed to prove their clients
most serious charge in the
Gotti and Carneglia still
ate that charge," said Gotti's
hearing in the four-week-old
employed or controlled five
case.
face a Racketeer Influenced
attorney. Ronald Fischetti.
case.
or more alleged ring mem-
The decision by Brooklyn
and Corrupt Organizations
Gotti, 42, and Carneglia, 44,
(RICO) charge, punishable by
were among 10 people indict-
Fischetti and Carneglia
bers, as required under the
Federal Judge John Bartels
charge.
to dismiss a charge of operat-
up to 20 years in prison, and
ed in 1983 on drug-running
lawyer Gerald Shargel had
charges.
moved to dismiss the count
Ing a continuing criminal en-
two drug-distribution counts,
"While Gotti and Carneglia
by arguing that the govern-
terprise for lack of evidence
each carrying up to 15 years.
may have been partners with
came on the eve of closing ar-
Post-trial motion
ment had introduced no
Brooklyn U.S. Attorney An.
Ruggiero, they did not take
guments in what has been de-,
The first of three 8128
proof the two defendants
drew Maloney -dectioned to
an active role in organizing
scribed as the longest pend-
were equal and active. part-
comment on the ruling or its
under way in spring 1987. A
supervising of managing the
ners with reputed
ing criminal case in the
effect on the government's
organization Bartels said.
mistrial was declared nine
capo Angelo Ruggiero in nim-
nation's federal courts.
case. "Mr. Gotti and Mr. Car-
"The defendants' inotion 'is'
months later amid charges of
ning a major heroin-traffick-
hereby granted.'
Los Angeles Times
sistion: 1,118,649 Daily/1,433,739 Sunday
Tuesday, May 16, 1989
Pages Copyright 1989/The Times Mirror Company Daily 50c
nes
who headed the Justice Depart-
ly those who repeatedly violate
Unveils 1-Billion Crime Package
ment's criminal division in the
federal firearms laws, aides said.
Jimmy Carter Administration.
But White House officials were 80
"The question," Heymann said,
Intent on keeping details of the
Bush Vows Harsher Penalties for Gun Violence
"is whether they have something
package from leaking out early
intelligent in mind to do with the
that many law enforcement agen-
increased resources."
cies, including the FBI and the
The Administration does not
Marshals Service, were not con-
By Times Staff Writer
have anything specific in mind yet.
sulted before it was drawn up,
ASHINGTON resident
under existing law.
Washington apartments used as
and enforcement agents-may be
Bush plans to ask the Justice and
officials said.
Bush 100 Monday announced a
Bush's package also contains a
crack houses. The federal mar-
severely constrained by another of
Treasury departments to draw up a
Staff writers Ronald J. Ostrow
long-anticipated package of mea-
series of criminal justice measures
shals, who perform the function of
Bush's priorities, cutting the defi-
plan for using the new resources to
and Dougles Johl contributed to
sures to combat violent crime,
long sought by conservatives, in-
county sheriff in Washington, had
cit.
target career criminals, particular-
this story.
sidesteriping the controversial is-
cluding a widening of the federal
spent several weeks developing the
A senior White House official,
sue of gun control but pledging to
death penalty, which has not been
new operation, comparing routine
speaking to reporters Monday on
Increase penalties for gun-related
used in a generation, and new
housing violation lists with police
condition that he not be named,
violence and to spend $1 billion on
restrictions on the so-called exclu-
intelligence about crack houses SO
said the $1.2-billion cost of the new
more prosecutors and prisons.
sionary rule, which bare prosecu-
they could target their eviction
personnel and prison construction
We prepared to match rheto-
lors from using Illegally seized
efforts to disrupt drug trafficking.
could be accommodated by the
glc with resources." Bush said, but
evidence in criminal cases. Nearly
Outside Washington, however,
budget agreement reached earlier
he did not say where the resources
all of the ideas in that portion of the
the federal role in crime fighting is
this year. That agreement allowed
are to come from without worsen-
package have been proposed-and
far more limited. a problem Bush
domestic spending to increase $3.6
Ing the federal deficit. Nor does the
defeated-In Congress several
Inadvertently highlighted when he
billion over current levels.
Administration have a detailed
times.
cited two particularly notorious
That $3.6 billion, however. al-
plan yet for how to use the extra
Bush's plan drew mixed reac-
crimes in his speech. "Whether it's
ready has been committed to sev-
money if it can be obtained, offi-
tions. Gun control advocates ex-
the brutalization of a young runner
eral other programs. including oth-
cials conceded.
pressed disappointment that he had
in a park or terrorizing a young
er Administration initiatives such
On guns. Bush rejected the ad-
not gone further, and several mem-
man onto a crowded highway,
as education and drug fighting,
vice of drug policy chief William J.
bers of Congress questioned how
Bush said, criminal acts "cannot be
congressional budget officials said.
Bennett and others who had pro-
Bush planned to fit his new propos-
excused or explained away."
If Bush is to gel his extra money for
posed broad new restrictions on
al into the budget.
The two crimes Bush was de-
crime without worsening the defi-
semiautomatic desault guns, which
White House aides have been
scribing, the recent gang-rape of a
cit, "something else will have to be
have become the guns of choice for
anticipating Bush's crime package,
young woman jogger in New
cut," a senior House budget staff
many drug. gang members and
which has been under Internal
York's Central Park and the death
member said.
street criminals: Rather than limit
debate since March, as the biggest
of a black man who was chased into
Criminal-justice experts agree,
the guns, Bush proposed to control
domestic policy Initiative of the
the path of a car by white thugs in
however, that new prisons will be a
the clips that hold their ammunt-
spring. The unveiling of the pro-
New York's Howard Beach neigh-
necessity if the Administration 18
tion-banning the sale or manufac-
posals was repeatedly delayed as
borhood, were prosecuted in state,
serious about crime fighting.
ture of magazines that hold more
Bush advisers thrashed out the
not federal, courts. Neither crime
"Without increased prison space, If
than 16 rounds.
details and sought an appropriate
would have been affected by
you sentence a lot more people, you
symbolic backdrop. In the end,
Bush's proposals.
would simply have to release a lot
Law Governing Imports
they chose a Capitol Hill memorial
of others," said Philip B. Heymann,
Bush pledged to enforce the
for stain law enforcement officers
10-Year Mandatory Sentence
a Harvard Law School professor
current law that bans the importa-
to serve as Bush's forum.
Bush's plan would increase pen-
tion of guns deemed unsuitable for
Standing in a slow drizzle on the
alties for many federal offenses
sport, a subject under study by the
steps of the Capitol and surrounded
Involving guns, including a new
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
by uniformed police, Bush called
10-year mandatory minimum sen-
Firearms. But he rejected the Idea
for a "common-sense approach to
tence for violent crimes committed
of applying the same test to domes-
crime" and pledged that the federal
using a semiautomatic weapon.
lically produced weapons.
government would "lead the way"
Those penalties would not apply,
Limiting domestically produced
to "take back the streets by taking
however. In state courts, where
weapons would have required the
criminals off the streets."
most violent crimes are handled.
Administration to confront the
As Bush spoke, teams of federal
Those Bush initiatives that
powerful National Rifle Assn. in a
marshale fanned out across the
would have the most visible Im-
battle over new legislation. For-
capital In the first of a series of
pact-building new prisons and
eign-made weapons can be handled
eviction raids designed to target
hiring more federal prosecutors
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY
U.S. CAPITOL -- WEST FRONT
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
12:00 NOON
LAST FALL, A RETIRED NEW YORK POLICE LIEUTENANT
GAVE ME BADGE NUMBER 14072 -- THE BADGE HIS SON WORE
THE DAY HE WAS GUNNED DOWN BY A GANG OF COCAINE
COWARDS. MATTHEW BYRNE ASKED ME TO KEEP EDDIE'S BADGE
AS A "REMINDER OF ALL THE BRAVE POLICE OFFICERS. WHO
PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US EVERY DAY." "
- 2 -
MATT, YOUR SON'S BADGE IS KEPT IN MY DESK IN THE
OVAL OFFICE. DURING THE DEBATE ON GUN-RELATED VIOLENCE
THAT HAS RAGED IN THIS COUNTRY THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS,
NEITHER IT, NOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS, HAS EVER BEEN FAR
FROM MY MIND. I'VE HEARD THE MANY VOICES, THE
COURAGEOUS AND THE CORRUPT, THE WOUNDED AND THE
WIDOWED.
- 3 -
WE GATHER TODAY TO RESPOND TO THOSE VOICES, AND TO
HONOR THE FALLEN BY LAUNCHING A NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY
-- A PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICA'S CITIES AND STATES -- TO
TAKE BACK THE STREETS.
IT CALLS FOR A RETURN TO COMMON SENSE. AND IT
BEGINS WITH A CLEAR-EYED VISION OF THE KIND OF PROBLEMS
WE FACE, THE KIND OF PEOPLE WE ARE, THE KIND OF VALUES
WE HOLD -- AND THE KIND OF NATION WE INTEND To BEQUEATH
TO OUR CHILDREN.
- 4 -
THE PROBLEM IS VIOLENT CRIME -- AND, IN PARTICULAR,
THE BLOOD THAT'S BEEN SHED BY INCREASINGLY
SOPHISTICATED GUNS IN THE HANDS OF A NEW CLASS OF
CRIMINALS. USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, THE DEATHS ARE
TIED TO A CYCLE OF DOLLARS AND DRUGS AND DEPENDENCY.
THE PRINCIPLES ARE SIMPLE. MY GENERATION WELL
REMEMBERS WHAT SOME BELIEVE WAS F.D.R.'s FINEST SPEECH:
THE "FOUR FREEDOMS" ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF
CONGRESS.
- 5 -
THE LAST, OFTEN FORGOTTEN, BUT ARGUABLY MOST
FUNDAMENTAL OF THOSE FREEDOMS WAS SIMPLY THIS: FREEDOM
FROM FEAR. OUR SWORN DUTY TO "INSURE DOMESTIC
TRANQUILITY" IS AS OLD AS THE REPUBLIC ITSELF, PLACED
IN THE CONSTITUTION'S PREAMBLE EVEN BEFORE THE COMMON
DEFENSE AND THE GENERAL WELFARE. WHEN WE ASK WHAT KIND
OF SOCIETY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE, OUR GOAL MUST
BE A NATION IN WHICH LAW ABIDING CITIZENS ARE SAFE AND
FEEL SAFE.
- 6 -
To ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, PEOPLE MUST BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. THAT'S COMMON SENSE.
MOST AMERICANS ARE LAW ABIDING, AND MOST BELIEVE THAT
THERE IS SUCH A THING AS RIGHT AND WRONG -- GOOD AND
EVIL. WHETHER IT'S THE BRUTALIZATION OF A YOUNG RUNNER
IN A PARK OR TERRORIZING A YOUNG MAN ONTO A CROWDED
HIGHWAY, THESE ARE ACTS THAT CANNOT BE EXCUSED, OR
EXPLAINED AWAY.
- 7 -
A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO CRIME MEANS THAT IF WE
ARE GOING TO AFFECT PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR, WE MUST HAVE A
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN WHICH THERE IS AN
EXPECTATION THAT:
-- IF YOU COMMIT A CRIME, YOU WILL BE CAUGHT.
-- AND IF CAUGHT, YOU WILL BE PROSECUTED.
-- AND IF CONVICTED, YOU WILL DO TIME.
- 8 -
FOR FAR TOO LONG, A PRIVILEGED CLASS OF VIOLENT AND
REPEAT OFFENDERS HAVE CALCULATED THAT CRIME REALLY DOES
PAY -- THAT OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS A CRAPSHOOT
WHERE THE RISKS ARE WORTH THE REWARDS. WELL, IT'S TIME
WE CHANGE THE ODDS -- AND UP THE STAKES ENORMOUSLY.
WE WILL LEAD THE WAY. WE WILL DO OUR PART -- AND
THEN SOME. BUT NO FEDERAL EFFORT CAN SUCCEED WITHOUT
THE FULL PARTNERSHIP OF THE CITIES AND STATES YOU
REPRESENT.
- 9 -
UNFORTUNATELY, NOWHERE IS YOUR FRONT LINE ROLE MORE
EVIDENT THAN IN THE HONOR ROLL THAT WILL BE READ TODAY:
OF THE 161 OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY LAST
YEAR, 152 WERE STATE OR LOCAL COPS. You ARE THE FIRST
LINE OF DEFENSE -- AND YOUR RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS HAVE
AN OBLIGATION TO ADOPT TOUGH LEGISLATION AND PROVIDE
THE RESOURCES -- IN POLICE, PROSECUTORS AND PRISONS --
TO FULLY BACK YOU UP.
- 10 -
AT THE TRIAL OF EDDIE BYRNE'S EXECUTIONERS, THERE
WAS TESTIMONY THAT THE HIT WAS ORDERED FROM PRISON TO
SEND A "MESSAGE" TO THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BADGE. ONE
WITNESS SAID THEY HOPED TO SEE THE ATTACK ON THE TV
NEWS AT RIKER'S ISLAND.
TODAY WE HAVE A MESSAGE OF OUR OWN: WE'RE GOING TO
TAKE BACK THE STREETS, BY TAKING CRIMINALS OFF THE
STREETS.
- 11 -
IT'S AN ATTACK ON ALL FOUR FRONTS -- NEW LAWS TO
PUNISH THEM, NEW AGENTS TO ARREST THEM, NEW PROSECUTORS
TO CONVICT THEM, AND NEW PRISONS TO HOLD THEM.
I AM ANNOUNCING TODAY A COMPREHENSIVE NEW OFFENSIVE
FOR COMBATTING VIOLENT CRIME. FOR EDDIE BYRNE, FOR
EVERY OFFICER WE HONOR HERE TODAY, AND FOR AMERICA.
- 12 -
THE FIRST FRONT OF THIS CAMPAIGN -- NEW LAWS --
STARTS WITH THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC AND SO-CALLED "ASSAULT"
WEAPONS THAT CRIMINALS HAVE TAKEN AS THEIR GUN OF
CHOICE.
AGAIN, COMMON SENSE HAS TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART
IN THIS DISCUSSION. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, NEARLY
HALF THE HOUSEHOLDS IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE GUNS. THE
GUNS ARE ALREADY OUT THERE.
- 13 .
AND THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY ARE LEGITIMATELY OWNED
FOR LEGITIMATE PURPOSES.
BUT IN CONTRAST TO LEGITIMATE GUN OWNERSHIP IS THE
CHILLING FACT THAT SOMETHING LIKE 80 PERCENT OF ALL
FIREARMS USED BY FELONS ARE STOLEN OR OTHERWISE
UNLAWFULLY OBTAINED. THROUGHOUT OUR NATION'S HISTORY,
THE HARD LESSON WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT CRIMINALS WILL
GET GUNS.
- 14 -
So LET ME BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT OUR RESPONSE: THE
RIGHT TO OWN GUNS IS NOT A LICENSE TO HARM OTHERS.
FIRST, I AM CALLING ON CONGRESS TODAY TO DO FOR
DANGEROUS FIREARMS WHAT IT HAS WISELY DONE FOR
DANGEROUS DRUGS -- TO DOUBLE THE MANDATORY MINIMUM
PENALTIES FOR THE USE OF SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPONS IN
CRIMES INVOLVING VIOLENCE OR DRUGS.
- 15 -
THE MATH IS SIMPLE. ANYONE WHO USES A SEMI-
AUTOMATIC FOR CRIME -- OR so MUCH AS HAS ONE ON THEM
DURING A CRIME -- WILL DO AN AUTOMATIC 10 EXTRA YEARS
IN FEDERAL PRISON. No PROBATION. No PAROLE. No
MATTER WHICH JUDGE THEY GET.
SECONDLY, WE JUST CAN'T PLEA BARGAIN AWAY THE LIVES
OF OUR COPS AND KIDS.
- 16 -
I AM DIRECTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ADVISE AMERICA'S
PROSECUTORS TO END PLEA BARGAINING FOR VIOLENT FEDERAL
FIREARMS OFFENSES. THOSE WHO USE GUNS WILL DO TIME --
HARD TIME.
THIRD -- WHEN A CRIMINAL CARRIES A GUN -- AND
SOMEONE DIES -- THEY MUST PAY WITH THEIR OWN LIVES.
- 17 -
WE ARE CALLING ON CONGRESS TODAY TO ENACT THE STEPS
NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE DEATH PENALTY -- AND TO
NEWLY DESIGNATE THE USE OF A FIREARM AS AN "AGGRAVATING
FACTOR" FOR DETERMINING WHETHER THE DEATH SENTENCE
SHOULD BE IMPOSED.
- 18 -
AND I CALL ON AMERICA'S GOVERNORS To MATCH THIS
FEDERAL INITIATIVE AND PROPOSE THESE SAME THREE
STANDARDS AT HOME -- MANDATORY TIME, NO DEALS WITHOUT
COOPERATION, THE DEATH PENALTY WHERE APPROPRIATE. YOUR
STATES OWE IT TO THOSE HERE TODAY.
FOURTH -- TWO MONTHS AGO, AT MY DIRECTION, THE
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS SUSPENDED THE
IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN, SO-CALLED "ASSAULT" WEAPONS.
- 19 -
4
ATF IS CONTINUING ITS EXAMINATION TO DETERMINE WHICH - --
IF ANY -- OF THESE WEAPONS ARE ACCEPTABLE UNDER THE
STANDARDS IN EXISTING LAW. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS
THREE MONTH STUDY -- AND AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION --
WE WILL PERMANENTLY BAN THOSE IMPORTS THAT DON'T
MEASURE UP TO THESE STANDARDS.
- 20 -
RECENTLY, THE U.S. NEWS COVER STORY ON GUNS SUMMED
UP A RELATED CHALLENGE -- "THE DIFFICULTY IN DRAFTING
LAWS THAT WILL SEPARATE ASSAULT WEAPONS USED IN CRIME
FROM SEMI-AUTOMATICS FREQUENTLY USED" FOR LEGITIMATE
HUNTING AND SPORT.
THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL CONTROVERSY AND DEBATE ON THIS
POINT. BUT ONE THING THAT WE DO KNOW ABOUT THESE
"ASSAULT" WEAPONS IS THAT THEY INVARIABLY ARE EQUIPPED
WITH UNJUSTIFIABLY LARGE MAGAZINES.
- 21 -
THE NOTORIOUS AKS-47, FOR EXAMPLE, COMES WITH A
MAGAZINE THAT PUMPS OFF 30 EXPLOSIVE BURSTS WITHOUT
RELOADING.
AND THAT IS WHY -- FIFTH -- WE STAND ON THE STEPS
OF CONGRESS AND ASK ITS SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION
PROHIBITING THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE, SALE, OR
TRANSFER OF GUN MAGAZINES OF MORE THAN 15 ROUNDS.
- 22 -
THE CURRENT DEBATE WAS FIRST SPARKED WHEN AN
UNSTABLE GUNMAN IN STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA PURCHASED AN
AKS-47 OVER THE COUNTER -- AND USED IT TO LAY WASTE TO
AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND.
PATRICK EDWARD PURDY HAD NO BUSINESS BUYING THAT
GUN. HE WAS ARRESTED ON HIS FIRST WEAPONS CHARGE
BEFORE HIS 15TH BIRTHDAY. BY HIS FOURTH FIREARMS
ARREST, PURDY HAD FINALLY TURNED 18, AND WITH IT
CHALKED UP THE FIRST OF TWO ADULT CONVICTIONS.
- - 23 -
ALTHOUGH FOR VIOLENT AND WEAPONS OFFENSES, BOTH
CONVICTIONS WERE MISDEMEANORS. PURDY CRAWLED THROUGH
THE LOOPHOLE THAT BARS ONLY FELONS FROM BUYING GUNS --
AND GOT THAT DEADLY AKS-47. THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS.
AND THEREFORE, WE ALSO PROPOSE THAT CONGRESS CLOSE
THE PURDY LOOPHOLE, AND OTHERS LIKE IT THAT ALLOW
DEADLY WEAPONS TO FALL INTO DEADLY HANDS. AGAIN,
THAT'S JUST COMMON SENSE.
- 24 -
BUT WE NEED TO DO MORE THAN JUST ENACT NEW LAWS.
IN A RECENT MOVIE ABOUT THE L.A. GANG WARS, A WOMAN
SHOUTS ENCOURAGEMENT TO A COP ON PATROL, TELLING HIM:
"You GET THEM OFF THE STREET." HE ANSWERS: "LADY,
WE'RE TRYING." AND THE WOMAN OFFERS A FOUR WORD
SOLUTION: "You NEED MORE HELP."
BELIEVE ME, WE KNOW IT. OUR POLICE NEED MORE HELP.
- - 25 -
AND I'M HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT WE'RE PREPARED TO
MATCH RHETORIC WITH RESOURCES -- AND CALL ON OUR CITIES
AND STATES TO DO THE SAME.
THE SECOND FRONT OF OUR NEW OFFENSIVE CALLS FOR
INCREASED MANPOWER AND A NEW STRATEGY ON GUNS -- A
STRATEGY BASED ON MODELS OF PROVEN EFFECTIVENESS.
- 26 -
I HAVE DIRECTED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE TREASURY
SECRETARY, WORKING TOGETHER WITH STATE AND LOCAL
ENFORCEMENT, TO LAUNCH A COMPREHENSIVE, COORDINATED
OFFENSIVE AGAINST OUR NATION'S MOST VIOLENT CRIMINALS.
I AM REQUESTING FUNDING FOR HIRING 825 NEW FEDERAL
AGENTS AND STAFF -- 375 AT ATF, 300 AT THE FBI, AND 150
DEPUTY U.S. MARSHALS,
- 27 -
MANY OF THESE HIRINGS WILL PERMIT EXPERIENCED
INVESTIGATORS FROM ALL THREE AGENCIES TO PROMPTLY
COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME IN THE FIELD.
OF COURSE, ARRESTING THESE THUGS DOESN'T HELP IF WE
DON'T HAVE THE MUSCLE TO PROSECUTE EACH CRIMINAL TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. THAT'S WHY THE THIRD FRONT
OF THIS CAMPAIGN CALLS FOR CONGRESS TO BACK UP THESE
NEW TROOPS WITH 1,600 NEW PROSECUTORS AND STAFF -- THE
LARGEST INCREASE IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.
- 28 -
Now, THERE PROBABLY ISN'T A COP HERE WHO HASN'T
SEEN A CASE WHERE A DANGEROUS FELON -- PROPERLY
ARRESTED, FULLY PROSECUTED, AND SENTENCED TO THE
MAXIMUM -- WALKED OUT OF JAIL EARLY, SOMETIMES YEARS
EARLY, BECAUSE STATE PRISONS ARE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS.
THAT'S NOT RIGHT.
- 29 -
PART OF OUR COMMON SENSE APPROACH IS A SIMPLE
RECOGNITION THAT IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD TO PROVIDE NEW
FEDERAL AGENTS, NEW ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEYS, AND NEW
LAWS WITH LONG-TERM PENALTIES -- IF WE DON'T HAVE THE
PRISON CELLS TO KEEP CRIMINALS WHERE THEY BELONG. A
CHAIN IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS WEAKEST LINK.
- 30 -
AND so, AS THE FOURTH FRONT IN THIS COMPREHENSIVE
EFFORT, I AM CALLING ON CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE AN
ADDITIONAL $1 BILLION --OVER AND ABOVE THE $500 MILLION
ALREADY SLATED FOR 1990 -- FOR FEDERAL PRISON
CONSTRUCTION. THESE 24,000 NEW BEDS WILL NEARLY DOUBLE
FEDERAL PRISON CAPACITY.
NOT SINCE LINCOLN HAS A PRESIDENT STOOD IN FRONT OF
THE CAPITOL AND BEEN JUST A FEW MILES FROM THE FRONT
LINE OF A WAR.
- 31 -
NEVER WAS THE TOLL MORE VISIBLE THAN IN THE FACES OF
THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN -- THE FAMILIES -- GATHERED
HERE TODAY. AND WHEN I FIRST STOOD HERE AS PRESIDENT
-- ONLY MOMENTS AFTER TAKING THE OATH -- I MADE A
PROMISE: "THIS SCOURGE WILL STOP." AND THAT'S A
PROMISE WE INTEND TO KEEP.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I OFFER MY CONDOLENCES FOR
YOUR FALLEN LOVED ONES AND FELLOW OFFICERS. I SALUTE
YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR COURAGE.
- 32 -
AND AS A CITIZEN GRATEFUL FOR THE PROTECTION YOU HAVE
PROVIDED FOR MY FAMILY AND MY COUNTRYMEN, I THANK YOU
AND WISH YOU GODSPEED. AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
#
#
#
Teleprompter
(McNally/Simon) 7pm
May 14, 1989, dozp.m.
Draft Five
(B: CRIME)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY
U.S. CAPITOL -- WEST FRONT
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
12:00 NOON
Last fall, a retired New York police lieutenant gave me
badge number 14072 -- the badge his son wore the day he was
gunned down by a gang of cocaine cowards. Matthew Byrne asked me
to keep Eddie's badge as a "reminder of all the brave police
officers who put their lives on the line for us every day."
Matt, your son's badge is kept in my desk in the Oval
Office. During the debate on gun-related violence that has raged
in this country the past several months, neither it, nor what it
represents, has ever been far from my mind. I've heard the many
voices, the courageous and the corrupt, compassionate the wounded and the
widowed.
We gather today to respond to those voices, and to honor the
fallen by launching a new national strategy -- a partnership with
America's cities and states -- to take back the streets.
It calls for a return to common sense. And it begins with a
clear-eyed vision of the kind of problems we face, the kind of
people we are, the kind of values we hold -- and the kind of
nation we intend to bequeath to our children.
The problem is violent crime -- and, in particular, the
blood that's been shed by increasingly sophisticated guns in the
3
For far too long, a privileged class of violent and repeat
offenders have calculated that crime really does pay -- that our
criminal justice system is a crapshoot where the risks are worth
the rewards. Well, it's time we change the odds -- and up the
stakes enormously.
We will lead the way. We will do our part -- and then some.
But no federal effort can succeed without the full partnership of
the cities and states you represent. Unfortunately, nowhere is
your front line role more evident than in the honor roll that
will be read today: of the 161 officers killed in the line of
duty last year, 152 were state or local cops. You are the first
line of defense -- and your respective governments have an
obligation to adopt tough legislation and provide the resources
-- in police, prosecutors and prisons -- to fully back you up.
At the trial of Eddie Byrne's executioners, there was
testimony that the hit was ordered from prison to send a
"message" to the people behind the badge. One witness said they
hoped to see the attack on the TV news at Riker's Island.
Today we have a message of our own: We're going to take
back the streets. By taking criminals off the streets.
It's an attack on all four fronts -- new laws to punish
them, new agents to arrest them, new prosecutors to convict them,
and new prisons to hold them.
I am announcing today a comprehensive new offensive for
combatting violent crime. For Eddie Byrne, for every officer we
honor here today, and for America.
2
hands of a new class of criminals. Usually, but not always, the
deaths are tied to a cycle of dollars and drugs and dependency.
The principles are simple. My generation well remembers
what some believe was F.D.R.'s finest speech: The "Four
Freedoms" address to a joint session of Congress. The last,
often forgotten, but arguably most fundamental of those freedoms
was simply this: freedom from fear. Our sworn duty to "insure
domestic Tranquility" is as old as the republic itself, placed in
the Constitution's preamble even before the common defense and
the general welfare. When we ask what kind of society the
American people deserve, our goal must be a nation in which law
abiding citizens are safe and feel safe.
To achieve this goal, people must be held accountable for
their actions. That's common sense. Most Americans are law
abiding, and most believe that there is such a thing as right and
wrong -- good and evil. Whether it's the brutalization of a
young runner in a park or terrorizing a young man onto a crowded
highway, these are acts that cannot be excused, or explained
away.
A common sense approach to crime means that if we are going
to affect people's behavior, we must have a criminal justice
system in which there is an expectation that:
-- If you commit a crime, you will be caught.
-- And if caught, you will be prosecuted.
-- And if convicted, you will do time.
4
The first front of this campaign -- new laws -- starts with
the semi-automatic and so-called "assault" weapons that criminals
have taken as their gun of choice.
Again, common sense has to play an important part in this
discussion. The fact of the matter is, nearly half the
households in this country have guns. The guns are already out
there. And the overwhelming majority are legitimately owned for
legitimate purposes.
But in contrast to legitimate gun ownership is the chilling
fact that something like 80 percent of all firearms used by
felons are stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained. Throughout
our nation's history, the hard lesson we've learned is that
criminals will get guns.
So let me be very clear about our response: The right to
own guns is not a license to harm others.
First, I am calling on Congress today to do for dangerous
firearms what it has wisely done for dangerous drugs -- to double
the mandatory minimum penalties for the use of semi-automatic
weapons in crimes involving violence or drugs.
The math is simple. Anyone who uses a semi-automatic for
crime -- or so much as has one on them during a crime -- will do
an automatic 10 extra years in federal prison. No probation. No
parole. No matter which judge they get.
Secondly, we just can't plea bargain away the lives of our
cops and kids. I am directing the Attorney General to advise
5
America's prosecutors to end plea bargaining for violent federal
firearms offenses. Those who use guns will do time -- hard time.
Third -- when a criminal carries a gun -- and someone dies
-- they must pay with their own lives.
We are calling on Congress today to enact the steps
necessary to implement the death penalty -- and to newly
designate the use of a firearm as an "aggravating factor" for
determining whether the death sentence should be imposed.
And I call on America's Governors to match this federal
initiative and propose these same three standards at home --
mandatory time, no deals without cooperation, the death penalty
where appropriate. Your states owe it to those here today.
Fourth -- two months ago, at my direction, the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms suspended the importation of
certain, so-called "assault" weapons. ATF is continuing its
examination to determine which of these weapons are not
acceptable under the standards in existing law. At the
conclusion of this three month study -- and after careful
consideration -- we will permanently ban those any imports that don't
measure up to these standards.
Recently, the U.S. News cover story on guns summed up a
related challenge -- "the difficulty in drafting laws that will
separate assault weapons used in crime from semi-automatics
frequently used" for legitimate hunting and sport.
There is substantial controversy and debate on this point.
But one thing that we do know about these "assault" weapons is
6
that they invariably are equipped with unjustifiably large
magazines. The notorious AKS-47, for example, comes with a
magazine that pumps off 30 explosive bursts without reloading.
And that is why -- fifth -- we stand on the steps of
Congress and ask its support for legislation prohibiting the
importation, manufacture, sale, or transfer of gun magazines of
more than 15 rounds.
The current debate was first sparked when an unstable gunman
in Stockton, California purchased an AKS-47 over the counter --
and used it to lay waste to an elementary school playground.
Patrick Edward Purdy had no business buying that gun. He
was arrested on his first weapons charge before his 15th
birthday. By his fourth firearms arrest, Purdy had finally
turned 18, and with it chalked up the first of two adult
convictions. Although for violent and weapons offenses, both
convictions were misdemeanors. Purdy crawled through the
loophole that bars only felons from buying guns -- and got that
deadly AKS-47. That's outrageous.
And therefore, we also propose that Congress close the Purdy
loophole, and others like it that allow deadly weapons to fall
into deadly hands. Again, that's just common sense.
But we need to do more than just enact new laws. In a
recent movie about the L.A. gang wars, a woman shouts
encouragement to a cop on patrol, telling him: "You get them off
the street." He answers: "Lady, we're trying." And the woman
offers a four word solution: "You need more help." "
7
Believe me, we know it. Our police need more help. And I'm
here today to tell you that we're prepared to match rhetoric with
resources -- and call on our cities and states to do the same.
The second front of our new offensive calls for increased
manpower and a new strategy on guns -- a strategy based on models
of proven effectiveness. I have directed the Attorney General
and the Treasury Secretary, working together with state and local
enforcement, to launch a comprehensive, coordinated offensive
against our nation's most violent criminals.
I am requesting funding for hiring 825 new federal agents
and staff -- 375 at ATF, 300 at the FBI, and 150 Deputy U.S.
Marshals. Many of these hirings will permit experienced
investigators from all three agencies to promptly combat violent
crime in the field.
Of course, arresting these thugs doesn't help if we don't
have the muscle to prosecute each criminal to the fullest extent
of the law. That's why the third front of this campaign calls
for Congress to back up these new troops with 1,600 new
prosecutors and staff the the largest increase in our nation's
history.
Now, there probably isn't a cop here who hasn't seen a case
where a dangerous felon -- properly arrested, fully prosecuted,
and sentenced to the maximum -- walked out of jail early,
sometimes years early, because state prisons are bursting at the
seams. That's not right.
8
Part of our common sense approach is a simple recognition
that it doesn't do any good to provide new federal agents, new
Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and new laws with long-term penalties
-- if we don't have the prison cells to keep criminals where they
belong. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
And so, as the fourth front in this comprehensive effort, I
am calling on Congress to authorize an additional $1 billion --
over and above the $500 million already slated for 1990 -- for
boost
federal prison construction. These 24,000 new beds will nearly
double federal prison capacity. by neatly 80%
Not since Lincoln has a President stood in front of the
Capitol and been just a few miles from the front line of a war.
Never was the toll more visible than in the faces of the brave
men and women -- the families -- gathered here today. And when I
first stood here as President -- only moments after taking the
oath -- I made a promise: "This scourge will stop." And that's
a promise we intend to keep.
Ladies and gentlemen, I offer my condolences for your fallen
loved ones and fellow officers. I salute your commitment and
your courage. And as a citizen grateful for the protection you
have provided for my family and my countrymen, I thank you and
wish you Godspeed. And God bless America.
#
#
#
(McNally/Simon)
May 11, 1989
11:00 a.m.
Draft Three
(B:CRIME)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY
U.S. CAPITOL -- WEST FRONT
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
12:00 NOON
Not since Lincoln has a President stood in front of the
Capitol and been just a few miles from the front line of a war.
Certain sections, of certain cities -- including this one --
have been turned into combat zones by pockets of violent and
well-armed drug lords.
Never was the toll more visible than in the faces of the
brave men and women -- the families -- gathered here on
democracy's front steps today.
Last fall, a retired New York police lieutenant gave me
Tim badge number 14072 -- the badge his son wore the day he was
gunned down by one such gang of cocaine cowards. Matthew Byrne
asked me to keep Eddie's badge as a "reminder of all the brave
New Your
Daily Newspolice
officers
who put their lives on the line for us every
10/21/88
day."
Tim
Matt, your son's badge is kept in my desk in the Oval
Mc Bride
Office. During the debate on drug-related violence that has
raged in this country the past several months, neither it nor
what it represents has ever been far from my mind. I've heard
many voices, the courageous and the corrupt, the wounded and the
widowed.
2
Some say we should give up. Others all but suggest we
barricade the streets. But somewhere between despair and
destruction, there is a balanced course. Room for a measured
response. A place for common sense.
And no effective search for the solutions can begin without
a thoughtful look at the problem we face, and at the kind of
people we are, the kind of values we hold, and the kind of nation
we intend to bequeath to our children.
First, the problem. We're here today to talk about violent
crime -- and, in particular, the bloodshed that has been spurred
by increasingly sophisticated guns in the hands of a new class of
cold-blooded criminals. Usually, but not always, the deaths are
tied to a cycle of drugs and dollars and dependency.
Second, the principles. My generation well remembers what
some believe was F.D.R.'s finest speech: The "Four Freedoms"
1/6/41
address to a joint session of Congress. The last, often
see
forgotten, and arguably most fundamental of President Roosevelt's
file
freedoms was simply this: freedom from fear. Our sworn duty to
"insure domestic Tranquility" is as old as the republic itself,
see
file
placed in the Constitution's preamble even before the common
defense and the general welfare. When we ask what kind of
society the American people deserve -- and what kind of society
we hope to pass on to our children -- it's clear that our goal
must be a nation in which law abiding citizens are safe and feel
safe.
3
Fundamental to this duty is the notion that people must be
held accountable for their actions. That's common sense. Most
Americans are law abiding, and most believe that there is such a
thing as right and wrong -- that we each carry within ourselves
the capacity for evil -- and the freedom to choose instead to do
good.
We can all be glad that the failed policies of liberal
leniency -- often blaming society or even the victim -- seem to
be fading from the debate. Society causes crime like wet
sidewalks cause rain.
But a return to a common sense approach to crime means that
if we are going to affect people's behavior, we must have a
criminal justice system in which there is an expectation that:
-- If a crime is committed, you will be caught.
-- And if caught, you will be prosecuted.
-- And if convicted, you will do time.
For far too long, a privileged class of violent and repeat
offenders have calculated that crime really does pay -- that our
criminal justice system is a crapshoot where the risks are worth
the rewards. Well, it's time we change the odds -- and up the
stakes enormously. And I'll talk about that in a moment.
One other principle. The federal government has a special
enforcement role, particularly one of leadership. But our job is
also to work in partnership with state and local law
enforcement, complementing efforts, providing technical
assistance and sometimes cash where needed, and where possible.
4
Nonetheless -- for constitutional and traditional reasons --
the primary responsibility for law enforcement always has and
will continue to rest with state and local authorities.
Unfortunately, nowhere is this sometimes dangerous duty more
Goodwident than in the honor roll that will be read after my remarks
advance
7565 are concluded: Of the 161 officers killed in the line of duty
Sawyer
SUZIE-2264
2264
last year, 152 were state or local cops. You are the front line
troops -- and your respective governments have an obligation to
adopt tough legislation and provide the resources -- in police,
prosecutors and prisons -- to fully back you up.
At the trial of Eddie Byrne's executioners, there was
stat
testimony that the hit was ordered by a short term convict --
serving just years for a serious weapons charge to send a
X
Newsday
"message" to the people behind the badge. One witness said they
3/17/89
wanted to see the attack on the TV news at Rikers Island.
Well, keep the cameras rolling. I hope they have C-SPAN at
Rikers. Because today we have a little message of our own.
If you use guns, get used to prison TV.
We're going to take back the streets. And we're going to do
it by taking you off them.
I am announcing today a comprehensive new offensive for
combatting violent crime. It's an attack on all four fronts --
new laws to punish you, new cops to arrest you, new prosecutors
to convict you, and new jails to hold you.
5
The first front of this campaign -- new laws -- starts with
the semi-automatic and so-called "assault" weapons that criminals
lately have taken as their gun of choice.
Again, common sense has to play an important part in this
1987
punership Raper poll
discussion. The fact of the matter is, nearly half the
households in this country have guns. The guns are already out
any
no of households
of
there. And the overwhelming majority are legitimately owned for
gem
purposes.
Census Ring
663-5299
But in contrast to legitimate gun ownership is the chilling
BJS somebook
by felons
19$7
fact,that something like 80 percent of all firearms used in crime
Junes
obtained, according ter one study.
504-865-5920
are stolen or otherwise unlawfully possessed. Throughout our
nation's history, the hard lesson we've learned is that criminals
will get guns.
So let me be very clear about our response:
The right to bear arms is not a license to harm others.
First, I am calling on Congress today to do for dangerous
firearms what it has wisely done for dangerous drugs -- to double
the mandatory minimum penalties for the use of a or semi-
automatic weapon in crimes involving violence or drugs.
The math is real simple. You use these weapons for crime --
you so much as have one on you during a crime -- and you will do
an extra 10 years in federal prison. No probation. No parole.
And it doesn't matter anymore whether you get a tough judge.
The 10 years is automatic. Go straight to jail. The games are
over.
6
Secondly, we just can't plea bargain away the lives of our
cops and kids. From this day forward, all deals are off. I am
directing the Attorney General to notify all federal prosecutors
that this nation has seen its last plea-bargain for violent
firearms offenses.
You use a gun, and you will do time.
Third -- if you use an "assault" weapon -- and someone dies
-- the only place you should expect mercy is from a Court beyond
our jurisdiction. on Earth
We are calling on Congress today to enact the steps
necessary to implement the death penalty that became law last
year -- and to newly designate the use of fully and semi-
automatic weapons as "aggravating factors" for determining
whether a sentence of death should be imposed.
Fourth -- two months ago, at my direction, the Department of
the Treasury suspended the importation of certain, so-called
"assault" weapons -- under the existing law requiring that they
be generally recognized as suitable or adaptable for sporting
purposes.
Treasury is continuing its examination to determine which --
if any -- of these weapons are acceptable under these standards.
They continue to invite comments and testimony from all
interested groups and individuals. At the conclusion of this
three month study -- and after careful consideration -- we will
permanently ban all imports that don't measure up to this
standard.
7
We also call on American businesses to follow the lead of
566-71350017
ATF
Industries -- which has voluntarily halted the production of
assault weapons like the imports covered by the current ban.
Now, perhaps the biggest challenge in combatting this
problem was recently summed up in the U.S. News cover story on
USNWR
guns: "The key problem is the difficulty in drafting laws that
5-8-89
will separate assault weapons used in crime from semi-automatics
24
P.
frequently used for target practice and sometimes for hunting." "
There is substantial controversy and debate on this point,
and there is simply much that we do not yet know. But one thing
that we do know about the common characteristics of these
"assault" weapons is that they invariably are equipped with
unjustifiably large magazines. One of the best examples is the
ATF AK-47 which comes with a 32 round magazine
so-called "street-sweeper" a powerful shotgun with a built in
X
magazine that pumps off 12 explosive bursts without reloading.
front
And that is why -- fifth -- we stand on the steps of
Congress and ask its support for legislation prohibiting the
importation, manufacture, sale, or transfer of gun magazines of
more than 10 rounds.
The current debate was first sparked when an unstable gunman
UPI
in Stockton, California purchased an AK-47 over the counter --
1-19-89
and used it to lay waste to an elementary school playground.
us atty's
Patrick Edward Purdy was born in November 1964, and was
office
rap
arrested on his first weapons charge before his 15th birthday.
sheet
By the time of his fourth firearms arrest Purdy had finally
OK
see
file
turned 18, and with it chalked up his first adult conviction.
8
convicted of a It a felomy is
outrageous that -- under the loopholes in current
or juil,
near served more
federal law -- Purdy's purchase of that deadly AK-47 was entirely
despite his police record. That's not right.
buy
ATF
And therefore -- sixth -- our comprehensive legislative
&
package, which the Attorney General will transmit this week, also
calls on Congress to close the Purdy loophole and others like it
that allow deadly weapons to fall into deadly hands. Again,
that's just common sense.
Finally, no criminal should get out on the streets until and
unless they are drug free. I ask that Congress enact my proposal
to make drug-testing a mandantory condition before any criminal
is released -- whether on bail or parole.
But we need to do more than just enact new laws. In a
recent movie about the L.A. gang wars, a woman shouts
McNally
encouragement to a cop on patrol, telling him: "You get them off
the street." He answers: "Lady, we're trying." And the woman
offers a four word solution: "You need more help."
Believe me, we know it. You need more help. And I'm here
today to tell you that we're prepared to match rhetoric with
resources -- and call on the states to do the same.
The second front of our new offensive calls for more troops
and a new strategy on guns. I have directed the Attorney General
and the Treasury Secretary, working together and with their
colleagues in state and local enforcement, to launch our nation's
first Dangerous Weapons Task Forces -- headquartered in seven
9
major cities facing acute violent crime -- to target and arrest
America's most dangerous offenders.
I am requesting funding for hiring 750 new federal agents --
300 at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 300 at the
FBI, and 150 Deputy U.S. Marshals, along with 75 new support
staff. Many of these hirings will permit experienced firearms
experts from all three agencies to promptly assume Task Force
posts to combat violent crime.
Pres. Doc.
Modeled on the highly successful Drug Task Forces set up by
1982
10/14/82 President Reagan in 1983, the Dangerous Weapons Task Forces will
be based on a concept of proven effectiveness -- the mobilization
of federal, state and local law enforcement shock troops to get
violent and dangerous criminals off our streets.
Of course, arresting these thugs doesn't help if we don't
have the muscle to prosecute each criminal to the fullest extent
of the law. That's why the third front of this campaign calls
800
gamet
for Congress to back up these new troops with 1,600 new federal
OMB
800
staff
US artomings
Hale
prosecutors -- the largest increase in our nation's history.
admin. office
33-1020
see
Now, there probably isn't a cop here who hasn't seen a case
file
where a dangerous felon -- properly arrested, fully prosecuted,
and sentenced to the maximum -- walked out of jail early,
sometimes years early, because state prisons are bursting at the
seams. That's not right.
Part of our common sense approach is a simple recognition
that it doesn't do any good to provide new Task Forces, new
Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and new laws with long-term penalties
10
-- if we don't have the prison cells to keep criminals where they
belong.
And so, as the fourth front in this comprehensive effort, I
am calling on Congress to authorize an additional $1 billion --
over and above the $500 million already slated for 1990 -- for
federal prison construction. By adding 26,000 new beds to the
BJS 4/89
present rated capacity of 29,112 beds, the federal prison
000
capacity will be virtually doubled.
her
Inangural address
The last time I stood on these steps -- only moments after
X
1-20-89
becoming President -- I made a promise: "This scourge will
stop."
If the thugs are listening up at Riker's, or in the L.A.
barrio, or right here in Anacostia, I have a final message for
you. You started this war. But we are going to finish it. And
you.
Ladies and gentlemen, I offer my condolences for your fallen
comrades. I salute your commitment and your courage. And as a
citizen grateful for the protection you have provided for my
family and my countrymen, I thank you and wish you Godspeed. And may
God bless America.
#
#
#
(McNally/Simon)
May 10, 1989
12:00 p.m.
Draft Two
(B:CRIME)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY
U.S. CAPITOL -- WEST STEPS FRONT
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
12:00 NOON
in front
Not since Lincoln has a President stood on the steps of the
X
Capitol and been just a few miles from the front line of a war.
Certain sections, of certain cities -- including this one --
have been turned into combat zones by pockets of violent and
well-armed drug lords no more capable of reform than rats.
Never was the toll more clear -- the stakes more obvious --
than in the faces of the brave men and women -- the families --
gathered here on democracy's front porch today.
Last fall a retired New York police lieutenant gave me badge
Tim McBridenumber
14072 -- the badge his son wore the day he was gunned down
by one such gang of cocaine cowards. Matthew Byrne asked me to
00
keep Eddie's badge as a "reminder of all the brave police
No-21-88 88
officers
who put their lives on the line for us every day."
Tin Mc Bride
Matt, your son's badge is kept in my desk at the Oval
Office. During the debate on drug-related violence that has
raged in this country the past several months, neither it nor
what it represents has ever been far from my mind. I've listened
to the many voices, the wasted and the wounded and the widowed.
Some say we should give up. Others all but suggest we
barricade the streets. But somewhere between self-pity and self-
2
destruction, there is a balanced course. Room for a measured
response. A place for common sense.
And no effective search for the solution to the problems we
face can begin without a thoughtful look at what it is we face,
and at the kind of people we are, the kind of values we hold, and
the kind of nation we intend to bequeath to our children.
First, the problem. We're here today to talk about violent
crime -- and in particular -- the bloodshed that has been spurred
by increasingly sophisticated guns in the hands of apparently
amoral and incorrigible criminals. Usually, but not always, the
deaths are tied to a cycle of drugs and dollars and dependency.
More importantly, it is minority families, and also poor
families, that are more likely to be victims of violent crime.
In a society pledged to make opportunities equally available to
all, this is grossly untenable. Whether in Watts or Westchester,
safe streets are equally essential for harboring decent lives and
decent opportunities for the children of the 90's.
Let's not forget that the war on drugs is and remains a
long-term effort -- a clear-eyed campaign based on common sense -
- in which literacy, economic opportunity, drug education,
treatment and other demand-side factors are as fundamental as law
enforcement. The so-called "casual" users have to learn that
when they're shooting up, they're shooting you.
We won't end the drug trade overnight. We're in that battle
for the duration. But here and now, we ought to be damned well
willing to try to put an prompt end to the outbreak of gunfire
3
that has put police lives in jepordy and cloaked parts of our
largest cities in a climate of fear.
My generation well remembers what some believe was F.D.R.'s
finest speech: The "Four Freedoms" address to a joint session of
1-6-41
Congress. The last, often forgotten, and arguably most
see
fundamental of President Roosevelt's freedoms was simply this:
file
freedom from fear. Our sworn duty to "insure domestic
constation
Tranquility" is as old as the republic itself, placed in the
Constitution's preamble even * before the common defense and the
see
file
general welfare. When we ask what kind of society the American
people deserve -- and what kind of society we hope to pass on to
our children -- it's clear that our goal must be a nation in
which law abiding citizens are safe and feel safe.
Fundamental to this duty is the notion that people must be
held accountable for their actions. Most Americans are law
abiding, and most believe that there is such a thing as right and
wrong -- that we each carry within ourselves the capacity for
evil -- and the freedom to choose instead to do good.
We can all be glad that the failed policies of liberal
leniency -- often blaming society or the victim -- seem to be
fading from the debate. Society causes crime like wet sidewalks
cause rain.
But a return to a common sense approach to crime means that
if we are going to affect people's behavior, we must have a
criminal justice system in which there is an expectation that:
-- If a crime is committed, you will be caught.
4
-- And if caught, you will be prosecuted.
-- And if convicted, you will do time.
For far too long, a privileged class of violent and repeat
offenders have calculated that crime really does pay -- that our
criminal justice system is a crapshoot where the risks are worth
the rewards. Well, it's time we change the odds -- and up the
stakes enormously. And I'll talk about that in a moment.
The federal government has a special enforcement role, and
in some areas, the primary role. But our job is principally a
role of leadership and partnership with state and local
counterparts, of providing technical assistance and sometimes
cash where needed, and where possible.
Nonetheless -- for constitutional and traditional reasons --
the primary responsibility for law enforcement always has and
will continue to rest with state and local authorities.
Unfortunately, nowhere is this sometimes grim duty more
unambiguous than in the honor roll that will be read after my
remarks are concluded: Of the 161 officers killed in the line of
duty last year, 152 were state or local cops. You are the front
line troops -- and your respective governments have an obligation
to adopt tough legislation and provide the resources -- in
police, prosecutors and prisons -- to fully back you up.
On the matter of weapons, again, common sense has to play an
important part in this discussion. The fact of the matter is,
nearly every other household in this country has a gun.
One
US News
world newsweekly estimates that the nation's private arsenal is large
report 5-8-89
p.22
5
X
enough to provide nearly every man, woman and child in the nation
with a weapon. The guns are already out there. And the
overwhelming majority of them are legitimately owned for
legitimate purposes.
Balanced against this legitimate gun ownership is the
chilling fact that something like 80 percent of all firearms used
in crime are stolen or otherwise unlawfully possessed. A ban on
guns might make good headline material. But would it work?
Well, remember there's a ban on drugs, too. Throughout our
nation's history, the hard lesson we've learned is that criminals
will get guns.
At the trial of Eddie Byrne's executioners, there was
Newsday
testimony that the hit was ordered from prison to send a
3-17-89
"message" to the people behind the badge. One witness said the
convicts wanted to see the attack on the TV news at Rikers
Island.
Well, keep those cameras rolling. I hope they have C-SPAN
at Rikers. Because today we have a little message of our own.
We're going to take back the streets. And we're going to do
it by taking you off them.
I am announcing today a comprehensive new package for
combatting violent crime. It covers all four corners -- new laws
to punish you, new cops to catch you, new prosecutors to slam
you, and new jails to hold you.
The first corner of this package -- news X laws -- starts with
X
the semi-automatic and so-called "assault" weapons that criminals
6
lately have taken as their gun of choice. Let me be very clear
about our response:
The right to bear arms is not a license to harm others.
First, I am calling on Congress today to do for dangerous
firearms what it has wisely done for dangerous drugs -- to double
the mandatory minimum penalties for the use of a fully or semi-
automatic weapon in crimes involving violence or drugs.
The math is real simple. You use these weapons for crime --
you so much as have one on you during a crime -- and you will do
an extra 10 years in federal prison. No probation. No parole.
And it doesn't matter anymore whether you get a tough judge.
The 10 years is automatic. Straight to jail. Do not pass "Go."
Do not collect $200. The games are over.
Secondly, it also doesn't matter anymore if you get a fancy
lawyer or find an overworked prosecutor. From this day forward,
all deals are off. I am directing the Attorney General to notify
all federal prosecutors that this nation has seen its last plea-
bargain for violent firearms offenses.
You use a gun, and you will do time.
Third -- if you use an "assault" weapon -- and someone dies
-- the only place you should expect mercy is from a Court beyond
our jurisdiction.
Earth.
We are calling on Congress today to enact the
constitutionally-approved procedures necessary to implement the
death penalty sanctions that became law last year -- and to
include new line items specifically designating the use of fully
7
and semi-automatic weapons as "aggravating factors" for
determining whether a sentence of death should be imposed.
Fourth -- two months ago, at my direction, the Department of
the Treasury suspended the importation of certain, so-called
"assault" weapons -- under the existing law requiring that they
be "generally recognized as particularly suitable for, or readily
adaptable to, sporting purposes."
Treasury is continuing its examination to determine which --
if any -- of these weapons are acceptable under these standards.
They continue invite comments and testimony from all interested
groups and individuals. At the conclusion of this three month
study -- and after careful consideration -- we will permanently
ban all imports that don't measure up to this standard.
We also call on American businesses to follow the lead of
Colt Industries -- which has voluntarily halted the production of
assault weapons like the imports covered by the current ban.
Now, perhaps the biggest challenge in combatting this
us
News problem was recently summed up in the U.S. News cover story on
4
World
Report
guns: "The key problem is the difficulty in drafting laws that
5-8-89
,,24
will separate assault weapons used in crime from semi-automatics
frequently used for target practice and sometimes for hunting."
There is substantial controversy and debate on this point,
and there is simply much that we do not yet know. But one thing
that we do know about the common characteristics of these
"assault" weapons is that they invariably are equipped with
unpardonably large magazines. One of the best examples is the
8
so-called "street-sweeper" -- a powerful shotgun with a built in
magazine that pumps off 12 explosive bursts without reloading.
front
And that is why -- sixth -- we stand on the steps of
Congress and ask its support for legislation prohibiting the
importation, manufacture, sale, or transfer of gun magazines of
more than 10 rounds.
UPI
The current debate was first sparked when an unstable gunman
1/19/89 in Stockton, Califòrnia purchased an AK-47 over the counter --
and used it to lay waste to an elementary school playground.
NYT 1/20/89
Patrick Edward Purdy was born in November 1964, and was
U.S. Attomovarrested\
on his first weapons charge in 1979, before his 15th
office
X
sheet
birthday. Three months after he turned 18 -- but still six years
rap
X
file)
before he took the lives of five innocent children -- Purdy
(see
chalked up his first adult firearms conviction.
Now, to begin with, Purdy is the classic case of revolving
door justice -- a record of eight arrests in five years, for
weapons, drugs and other violent offenses. And we renew our
urgings for California, and all the states, to follow our new
federal model adopt and enforce tough, mandatory penalties for
firearms offenses. We just can't plea bargain away the lives of
innocent school kids.
But just as outrageous -- under the loopholes in current
federal law -- Purdy's purchase of that deadly AK-47 was entirely
legal despite his police record. That's not right.
L.A. County Sherriff Sherman Block recommended to Senator
Pete Wilson/that we close another loophole. Last year's drug law
9
made sure that especially violent offenses by juvenile thugs get
counted under the tough Armed Career Criminal sentences. Given
what we've learned about the vicious new drug gangs in L.A. and
D.C., "serious drug offenses" must be counted, too.
And therefore -- sixth -- our comprehensive legislative
package, which the Attorney General will transmit this week, also
calls on Congress to close the Purdy loophole and others like it
that allow deadly weapons to fall into deadly hands. Again,
that's just common sense.
Seventh -- no criminal should be released to the streets
until and unless they are drug free. I ask that Congress enact
my proposal to make drug-testing a mandantory condition before
any criminal gets out -- whether on bail or parole.
In the movie "Colors," a woman shouts encouragement to a cop
patrolling the gang wars in L.A., telling him: "You get them off
the street.' " He answers: "Lady, we're trying." And the woman
offers a four word solution: "You need more help."
Believe me, we know it. You need more help. And I'm here
today to tell you that we're prepared to match rhetoric with
resources -- and call on the states to do the same.
The second corner of our program is our commitment to new
federal resources. Working together, the Attorney General and
the Treasury Secretary will launch our nation's first Dangerous
Weapons Task Forces -- headquartered in seven major cities facing
acute violent crime -- -- to target and arrest America's most
dangerous offenders.
10
I am requesting funding for hiring 750 new federal agents --
300 at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 300 at the
FBI, and 150 Deputy U.S. Marshals -- which, along with 75 new
support staff, will permit experienced firearms experts from all
three agencies to promptly assume Task Force posts to combat
violent crime.
Modeled on the highly successful Drug Task Forces set up by
President Reagan in 1983, the Dangerous Weapons Task Forces will
be based on a concept of proven effectiveness -- the mobilization
of federal, state and local law enforcement shock troops to get
violent and dangerous criminals off our streets.
Of course, arresting these thugs doesn't help if we don't
have the muscle to prosecute each criminal to the fullest extent
of the law. That's why the third corner of my plan calls for
Congress to back up these new troops with 1,600 new federal
prosecutors -- the largest increase in our nation's history.
Now, there probably isn't a cop here who hasn't seen a case
where a dangerous felon -- properly arrested, fully prosecuted,
and sentenced to the maximum -- walked out of jail early,
sometimes years early, because state prisons are bursting at the
seams. That's not right.
Part of our common sense approach is a simple recognition
that it doesn't do any good to provide new Task Forces, new
Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and new laws with long-term penalties
-- if we don't have the prison cells to hold crooks in the end.
11
And so, as the fourth corner of this comprehensive proposal,
I am calling on Congress to authorize an additional $1 billion --
over and above the $500 million already slated for 1990 -- for
federal prison construction. By adding 26,000 new beds to the
Buean
29,112 112
of
Instopresent rated capacity of 30,951 beds, the federal prison
X
stats.
capacity will be virtually doubled.
4/84
here
The last time I stood on these steps -- only moments after
X
becoming President -- I made a promise: "This scourge will
stop.
"
If they're still listening up at Riker's, I have a final
message. It was you who started the drug war. We are going to
finish it. We are going to finish you. We are the United
States. And you will lose this battle.
Ladies and gentlemen, I salute you as your commander in
chief. And as a citizen grateful for the protection you have
provided for my family and my countrymen, I thank you and wish
you Godspeed. And God bless the America you serve so bravely.
#
#
#
STATE
U.S. Department of Justice
MACH
Attorney
none
Bob Simon
/ of California
ding
916/551-2700
T
Lumorhia 95814
TELECOPY TRANSMITTAL REQUEST
DATE: hay 9, 1989
TO: Ms. Grace Mastalli
FROM:
Richard H. Jenkins
First Asst. U.S. attorney
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California
650 Capitol Mall, Room 3305
Sacramento, California 95814
PHONE: FTS 460-2700 or Commercial (916) 551-2700
Telecopier Phone: FTS 460-2736
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING THIS PAGE)
WE ARE TRANSMITTING FROM A PANAFAX MACHINE.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS:
FROM:
CRT = 809
* CLETS DATABASE RESPONSE *
DATE 05/09/89
CLETS MNE a MSA
INE
6.28.32
PAGE 01 OF 02
** MESSAGE TEXT **
4MSA15525.IH
RE QHY.CAUSMO2S0.06571198.US ATTY
DATE : 05-09-89 TIME: 6:27:00
RESTRICTED-DO NOT USE FOR EMP OYMENT, LICENSING OR CERTIFICAT ION PURPOS
S
ATTN:US ATTY REQUEST
KUELPER
III CALIFORNIA ONLY RECORD
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DOB/11-10-61 SEX/M RAC/W 1461/507 WGT/130 EYE/BLU CHAIVELN PDB/CA
NAM/01 WEST EDDIE
02 PURDY PATRICK EDWARD
03 PURDY PAT
04 WEST EDDIE PURDY
FPC HENRY
22 L1 T MO 11
M 1 T MO 13
were
MNU/FBI-320243W10
DOB-11-10-62 10-10-64 11-10-64
CDL-U1083561
S0C-544500554 534528786
****
03-31-79 CASOPLACERVILLE
NONE
01 12020 PC-POSSESS, MFG/SELL DANGEROUS WEAPON
08-03-79 DISPO DISMISSED/FOJ/INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
****
07-27-79 CASOPLACERVILLE
J45030
meathons
01:518 PC-EXTORTION
Tharge
02:12020(A) PC-POSSESS/MFG/SELL DANGEROUS WEAPON
08-14-79 CAJVEL DORADO
0
01 516 PC-EXTORTION
DISPO : MADE WARD OF COURT
02 12020 PC-POSSESS/MFG/SELL DANGEROUS WEAPON
DISPO MADE WARD OF COURT
****
08-27-80
CAPDLOS ANGELES
1784533-W 5818488
01 647(B) PC-DISORDERL Y CONDUCT PROSTITUTION
09-15-80 CAMCLOS ANGELES METRO
31165273
01 647(B) PC-DISORDERL CONDUCT : PROSTITUTION
DISPO BENCH WARRANT ISSUED
and
****
08-22-82 CASOLOS ANGELES
charge
6767248-820819609
01 11358 H&S-PLANT CULTR TC ARIJUANA/HASH
02 11359 H&S-POSSESS VART UANA/HASHISH FOR SALE
08-22-82 DISPO PROS REJ-LACK #); CORPUS
****
02-18-83 CASOLOS ANGE ES
000307-830169209
01 (2020(A) PC-POSSES DANGERBUS JELPON
FROM
CRT = 809
* CLETS DATABASE RESPONSE *
DA 15/09/89
CLETS MNE = MSA
28,32
PAGE, 02 OF 02
** MESSAGE TEXT **
02-22-83 CAMCBEVERLY HILLS
M73235
heapons
12020 PC-POSSESS/MFG/SELL DANGEROUS WEAPON
*DISPO CONVICTED-PROB/ JAIL
CONV STATUS : MISDEMEANOR
****
05-19-83 CASOLOS ANGELES
7117995-830482909
that
01 496.1 PC-RECEIVE/ETC KNOWN STOLEN PROPERTY
05-25-83 DISPO REL/DET ONLY/ASCERT EVIDENCE USUFF
****
10-28-84 CASOWOODLAND
divorge
124645
01 ATTEMPTED
211 PC-ROBBERY
02 182 PC-CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY
12-04-84 CAMCBRODERICK
1-09057
01 ATTEMPTED
211 PC-ROBBERY
viobne. conviction
DISPO : DISMISSED
02 : 32 PC-ACCESSORY
*DISPO : CONVICTED-PROB/JAIL
CONV STATUS : MISDEMEANOR PER 17PC
*
*
*
END OF RECORD
choulderf
have feen forgiwt
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 9, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DAVID DEMAREST
SUBJECT:
Outline for Peace Officers Memorial Day Speech
On Monday, May 15, you will give the main address at the 8th
Annual Peace Officers Memorial Day, which honors all law
enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 1988. The
event will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. The
audience of several thousand will consist of relatives of the
fallen officers and police officers from around the country.
In this speech, you will announce your violent crime
initiative. Below is a proposal on what points should be made in
the speech.
---
Demonstrate personal concern and support for police officers
and their families.
--
Emphasize that there are localized pockets of extremely
violent crime which must be stopped, but that there is not a
"crime crisis" in every neighborhood in America. Overall,
the crime rate is down, and federal laws have been getting
tougher.
---
While law enforcement is primarily a local responsibility,
federal leadership is necessary, and with some functions,
crucial.
:
Society does not cause crime; society must be protected from
crime. Violent criminals must be identified, prosecuted,
and separated from society.
--
Our guiding philosophy will be one of "common sense. " We
are proposing an integrated package that improves the
criminal justice system at every step: more law enforcement
agents, more prosecutors, streamlining courtroom procedures,
longer sentences, and more prison space.
Page 2
We must balance the legitimate ownership of guns for
legitimate purposes with limiting their availability to
criminals. We will double the mandatory jail time for the
use of a semi-automatic weapon used during a crime. We will
not plea-bargain violent firearm offenses. And we will give
the death penalty if someone dies from the use of an illegal
semi-automatic weapon.
Importation of semi-automatic weapons will be limited to
only those weapons that have a legitimate sporting purpose.
Domestic manufacturers would be banned from producing copies
of any weapon excluded from import. And large gun magazines
will be restricted.
The legislation we propose would have prevented Stockton
killer Patrick Purdy from legally purchasing a semi-
automatic AKS-47.
Federal-State-local Dangerous Weapons Task Forces will be
set up to catch gun-toting criminals. 750 new federal
agents will be hired, and 1600 new federal prosecutors will
prosecute firearms violations to the fullest extent of the
law.
Federal prison capacity will be almost doubled by a
commitment of $1 billion for new construction. Violent
criminals should not escape long sentences for lack of
prison space.
Violent criminals must be sent a message. They must no
longer be allowed to think that "crime pays." We intend to
commit the resources to catch them, convict them, and lock
them up.
This violent crime initiative is a comprehensive attack on
the problem. America's criminal justice system is only as
strong as its weakest link. This initiative strengthens
every link in the chain, from apprehension through
sentencing.
DRAFT
(McNally/Simon)
May 9, 1989
4:00 p.m.
Draft One
(B:CRIME)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY
U.S. CAPITOL -- WEST STEPS
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
12:00 NOON
Not since Lincoln has a President stood on the steps of the
U.S. Capitol and been just a few miles from the front line of a
war.
Certain sections, of certain cities -- including this one --
have been turned into combat zones by pockets of violent and
well-armed vermin no more capable of reform than rats.
Never was the toll more clear -- the stakes more obvious --
than in the faces of the brave men and women -- the families --
gathered here on democracy's front porch today.
Last October a retired New York police lieutenant gave me
McBude Mc Time
badge number 14072 the badge his son wore the day he was gunned
down by a convicted cabal of cocaine cowards. Matthew Byrne
asked me to keep Eddie's badge as a "reminder of all the brave
4
police officers
who put their lives on the line for us every
day."
Matt, your son's badge is kept in my desk at the Oval Office
every day. During the debate on violent crime that has raged in
this country the past several months, neither it nor what it
represents has ever been far from my mind. I've listened to the
DRAFT
2
many voices, the mighty and the meek, the wounded and the widowed
and the worried.
Some say we should give up. Others say we should go
ballistic. But somewhere between self-pity and self-destruction
[[alt.: "somewhere between surrender and supernova"]], there is a
balanced course. Room for a measured response. A place for
common sense.
And no effective search for the solution to the problems we
face can begin without a thoughtful look at the problems
themselves, and at the kind of people we are, the kind of values
we hold, and the kind of nation we intend to bequeath to our
children.
First, the problem. We're here today to talk about violent
crime -- and in particular -- the violence that has been spurred
by increasingly sophisticated weapons in the hands of apparently
amoral and incorrigible criminals.
Let's get a few things straight. First of all, among some
misguided observers the relevance of race in this discussion has
been exaggerated beyond abuse. The fact is, most violent crime
is committed by whites against whites, by blacks against blacks
-- or, for that matter, by Asian or Hispanic Americans against
Asian or Hispanic Americans.
More importantly, it is minority families, and also poor
families, that are more likely to be victims of violent crime.
In a society pledged to make opportunities equally available to
all, this is grossly untenable. Whether in Watts or Westchester,
B
DRAFT
3
safe streets are equally essential for harboring decent lives and
decent opportunities for the children of the 90's.
Now, as for the demagogues who say nothing has been done
about crime: You know better, and I know better. The fact is
that -- at times against terrific odds -- throughout the 80's our
federal law enforcement efforts have been on the right track.
Every election year -- in '84, '86 and '88 -- Congress has heard
the voice of the people and voted increasingly serious penalties
for serious drug offenses. Today the full array of federal
penalties is staggeringly tough and as yet unmatched by any state
-- the complete elimination of parole, mandatory minimum terms of
10 and 20 years, actual life in prison, the death penalty for
killers of cops and kids.
Against the backdrop of sensational gang violence in D.C.
and L.A., we are too easy to forget that crime is down in
America. After skyrocketing by over a million crimes from 1977
to 1981, it fell by over seven million in 1986. In 1981, 30
percent of all households were touched by crime. By 1987, this
declined to almost 24 percent. Two and a half times as many drug
offenders were charged, convicted, and imprisoned in 1987, as
compared to 1980. We've increased our conviction rate from 75
percent to 84 percent -- and the sentences are 44 percent longer
than they were.
The bottom line: The murder rate is down 19 percent, and
the robbery rate is down by 30 percent. All in all, two million
fewer households were hit by crime in 1987 than in 1980.
DRAFT
4
Now, problems remain. Loopholes have gone unattended. And
the depraved abuse of certain firearms is a new problem that
demands d swift and severe response. But the war on drugs is and
remains a long-term effort -- a clear-eyed campaign based on
common sense -- in which literacy, economic opportunity, drug
education, treatment and other demand-side factors are accepted
as being as fundamental as law enforcement.
We can't end the drug trade overnight. We're in that battle
for the duration. But here and now, we ought to be damned well
willing to try to put an prompt end to the explosive violence --
often but not always related to drugs -- that has recently
erupted in parts of our largest cities.
That this is our immediate obligation there can be no doubt.
Plain and simple, it is violent crime that creates the climate of
fear in our cities. Even leaving aside the toll of crime itself,
the wages of fear add up to an incalculable cost to the people
we're sworn to protect -- in lost opportunities, lost moments of
recreation, even something as basic and as priceless as lost
hours of sleep.
My generation will forever remember what some believe was
F.D.R.'s finest speech: The "Four Freedoms" address to a joint
session of Congress. The last, often forgotten, and arguably
most fundamental of President Roosevelt's freedoms was simply
this: freedom from fear. A quarter century later this basic
tenant was echoed by my fellow Texan Lyndon Johnson, who
declared: "Public order is the first business of government."
DRAFT
5
Now, some will observe that L.B.J. was in fact paraphrasing
Alexander Hamilton, our first Secretary of the Treasury, who was
himself borrowing from the great Roman lawyer, Cicero. But the
point is this: Our duty to "insure domestic Tranquility" is as
old as the republic itself, placed in the Constitution's preamble
even before provisions concerning common defense and the general
welfare, and underscores an obligation of government that dates
back to the very foundations of democracy. When we ask what kind
of society the American people deserve to have -- and what kind
of society we hope to pass on to our children -- it's clear that
our goal must be a nation in which law abiding citizens need not
fear. Our duty -- our first duty -- is to protect people's
safety. And paramount importance must be accorded to the
protection of innocent life.
Fundamental to this duty is the notion that people must be
held accountable for the consequences of their actions. This is
fundamental because most Americans are law abiding, and because
most Americans believe that there is such a thing as right and
wrong -- that we each carry within ourselves the capacity for
evil -- and the freedom to choose instead to do good.
We can all be glad that the failed policies of liberal
leniency -- often blaming society or the victim -- seem to be
fading from the debate. Society causes crime like wet sidewalks
cause rain.
DRAFT
6
But a return to a common sense approach to crime means that
if we are going to affect people's behavior, we must have a
criminal justice system in which there is an expectation that:
-- If a crime is committed you will be caught.
-- And if caught you will be prosecuted.
-- And if convicted you will do time.
For far too long, a privileged class of violent and repeat
offenders have calculated that crime really does pay -- that our
criminal justice system is a crapshoot where the risks are worth
the rewards. Well, it's time we change the odds -- and up the
stakes enormously. And I'll talk about that in a moment.
But before we go into the nuts and bolts, let me emphasize
another principle that must guide all enforcement efforts. For
constitutional and traditional reasons, the primary
responsibility for law enforcement always has and will continue
to rest with state and local authorities. Unfortunately, nowhere
is this sometimes grim duty more unambiguous than in the honor
roll that will be read after my remarks are concluded: Of
161
Suzie 888-2264
officers killed in the line of duty last year, all but 9 were
state or local cops. You are the front line troops -- and your
respective governments have an obligation to enact tough
legislation and provide the resources -- in police, prosecutors
and prisons -- to fully back you up.
Of course, the federal government has a special and
important role as well. It is principally a role of leadership,
of partnership with state and local counterparts, of providing
7
technical assistance and cash where needed, and where possible.
But in some areas -- such as drug interdiction and on the issues
of violent crime we're addressing today the primary
responsibility must begin with us.
Again, common sense has to play an important part in this
discussion. The fact of the matter is, nearly every other
household in this country has a gun. One newsweekly estimates
USN
? that the nation private arsenal is large enough to provide
5/8/89
nearly every man, woman and child in the nation with a weapon.
The guns are already out there. And the overwhelming majority of
them are legitimately owned for legitimate purposes.
Balanced against this legitimate gun ownership is the
chilling fact that something like 80 percent of all firearms used
in crime are stolen or otherwise unlawfully possessed.
Throughout our nation's history, the hard lesson we've learned is
that criminals will get guns.
Now, there's been a good deal of discussion about what we're
going to do about semi-automatic and so-called "assault" weapons
that end up in the hands of criminals.
Let me be very clear about our response:
The right to bear arms is not a license to harm others.
First, I am calling on Congress today to do for dangerous
firearms what it has already done for dangerous drugs -- to
double the mandatory minimum penalties for the use of a fully or
semi-automatic weapon in a crime involving violence or drugs.
8
That means if you are convicted of using such a weapon in
such a crime -- no matter what your other penalties -- you will
also do an additional 10 years in federal prison with no
probation and no parole.
Second, it does little good to have tough sentences on the
books if those books are closed when it comes time to seek
indictments. This Administration won't bargain with gun-toting
terrorists overseas -- and we won't bargain with well-armed
criminals at home. Therefore, I am today instructing the
Attorney General to direct that federal prosecutors are not to
plea-bargain away violent firearms offenses.
Criminals who carry guns -- and who use them -- must know
that they will do time.
Third -- if you use one of these weapons -- and someone dies
as a result -- you are going to face the ultimate sanction.
We are calling on Congress today to enact the
constitutionally-required procedures necessary to implement the
death penalty legislation signed into law last year -- and to
include new line items specifically designating the use of fully
and semi-automatic weapons as "aggravating factors" for
determining whether a sentence of death should be imposed.
Fourth -- two months ago, at my direction, the Department of
the Treasury suspended the importation of certain, so-called
"assault" weapons -- under the existing law requiring that they
be "generally recognized as particularly suitable for, or readily
adaptable to, sporting purposes."
9
Treasury is continuing its examination to determine which --
if any -- of these weapons are consistent with these standards.
They have invited comments and testimony from all interested
groups and individuals. At the conclusion of this three month
study -- and after careful consideration -- we will permanently
ban all imports that don't measure up to this standard.
Fifth -- I am requesting that Congress enact a simple
amendment of the existing 1968 law that would prohibit any
domestic manufacturer from evading the permanent import ban by
manufacturing any such banned weapon here in the United States.
We also call on American businesses to follow the lead of Colt
Industries -- which has voluntarily halted the production of
assault weapons similar to the imports covered by the current
ban.
Now, perhaps the biggest challenge in combatting this
problem was recently summed up in the cover story on guns in U.S.
5/8/89
News and World Report: "The key problem is the difficulty in
drafting laws that will separate assault weapons used in crime
from semi-automatics frequently used for target practice and
sometimes for hunting."
There is substantial controversy and debate on this point,
and there is simply much that we do not yet know. But one thing
that we do know about the common characteristics of these
"assault" weapons is that they invariably are equipped with
unpardonably large magazines. One of the best examples is the
DRAIT
10
so-called "street-sweeper" -- a powerful shotgun that can pump
off 12 explosive bursts without reloading.
And that is why
sixth
we
stand
on
the
steps
of
Congress and ask its support for legislation prohibiting the
importation, manufacture, sale, or transfer of gun magazines of
more than 10 rounds.
No doubt everyone listening today is well aware that the
current debate was first triggered when an unstable gunman in
Stockton, California purchased an AK-47 over the counter -- and
used it to lay waste to an elementary school playground.
NYT
1-20-89
Patrick Edward Purdy was born in November 1964, and was
arrested on his first weapons charge in 1979, before his 15th
birthday. Three months after he turned 18 -- but still six years
before he took the lives of five innocent children -- Purdy
chalked up his first adult conviction -- another firearms
violation.
Now, to begin with, Purdy is the classic case of revolving
door justice -- a record of eight arrests in five years, for
weapons, drugs and other violent offenses -- and not a single day
served in jail. And we renew our urgings for California, and all
the states, to adopt and enforce tough, mandatory penalties for
firearms offenses. We can't plea bargain away the lives of
innocent school kids.
But even more outrageous than his record, is the fact that,
under the loopholes in current federal law, Purdy's purchase of
that imported AK-47 was entirely legal.
11
DRAFT
And therefore -- seventh -- our comprehensive legislative
package, which the Attorney General will transmit to Congress
later this week, also calls on Congress to close this and other
loopholes that allow deadly weapons to fall into deadly hands.
That's again, just common sense.
In the movie "Colors," a woman shouts encouragement to a cop
patrolling the gang wars in L.A., telling him: "You get them off
the street.' He answers: "Lady, we're trying." And the woman
offers a four word solution: "You need more help."
Believe me, we know it. You need more help. And I'm here
today to tell you that we're prepared to match rhetoric with
resources -- and call on the states to do the same.
The eighth point of our program is our commitment to new
federal resources. Working together, the Attorney General and
the Treasury Secretary will launch our nation's first Dangerous
Weapons Task Forces -- headquartered in seven major cities facing
acute violent crime -- to target and arrest America's most
dangerous offenders.
I am requesting funding for hiring 750 new federal agents --
300 at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 300 at the
FBI, and 150 Deputy U.S. Marshals -- which, along with 75 new
support staff, will permit experienced firearms experts from all
three agencies to promptly assume Task Force posts to combat
violent crime.
Modeled on the highly successful Drug Task Forces set up by
President Reagan in 1983, the Dangerous Weapons Task Forces will
12
be based on a proven concept -- the mobilization of federal,
state and local law enforcement experts to get violent and
dangerous criminals off our streets.
[ [Inserts:
Ninth:
Prisons expansion.
Tenth:
Finality of judgement (i.e., habeas
reform, drug-testing, etc.)
Closing: No weak links.
Send a message. 1]
THE white HOUSE
washington
5/11/89
source: Exec. office of US atty's
633-1020
asst. US attorneys
1976-1571
77 1704
78
1704
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1704
80
1971
81
1978
82
1963
83
2075
84
2307
85
2511
86
2561
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2627
88
2627
89 3029
93 US attorneys
TREDING
MERCHOTSPOTS
U.S.News
MAY 8,1989
$1.95
GUNS
AMERICANS AND FIREARMS:
THE ATTRACTION, THE DEBATE
19
02239 0
140066
U.S.NEWS
UNDAL
Names: James and Sarah
regulating concealed wea
Brady
emerged in, of all places
Ages: 48, 47
South. The white majority
Occupations: Vice chairman,
spite its own devotion to {
National Organization on
was scared enough by Γ
Disability; Chairwoman,
ownership of guns among
Handgun Control, Inc.
slaves to impose stiff lic
A handgun changed the
fees, a regulation analogo
Bradys' lives forever. As White
poll taxes. The South was
House press secretary, James
alone in its fears. "As c
Brady was with Ronald
filled with unassimil
Reagan in 1981 when John
masses of immigrants f
Hinckley shot the President,
Southern and Eastern
striking Brady in the
rope," wrote Kennett and
forehead. A brain injury left
derson, "the swarthy, hir
him disabled. In 1985, amid
and wild-eyed anarchist
an NRA drive to weaken the
came the new shibboleth.'
1968 Gun Control Act, Sarah
Brady, daughter of an FBI
A political upheaval
agent, supported gun control.
That scare has political T
Ever since, she has advocated
nance today, especially as
seven-day waiting periods for
country is inundated with
all handgun purchases-a
ports of runaway drug trafl
measure now known as the
ing. The result, says polit
Brady Bill. NRA opposition
analyst Kevin Phillips, i
has blocked the proposal, but
"coalescing into a hi
the Bradys still hope the
powered new 'crime'-iss
reform will come.
complex rapidly gaining
portance." According to P
wrote historians Lee Kennett and James La-
lips, the public's fear of drugs could turn
Verne Anderson in The Gun in America, was
ASSAULT-RIFLE DEBATE
control into a potent crime issue among vot
"not that government will tyrannize, but that it
minimizing the electoral benefits conservati
The hottest gun issue now is
will fail to protect." The absence, not the
have always reaped from opposing any
how to control semiautomatic
excess, of government control became the most
controls. Liberal gun opponents are still vulr
assault rifles without limiting
compelling practical reason to own guns.
able, says Phillips, because their usual opp
hunters' favorite weapons.
The nation has never completely lost its
tion to the death penalty is also wrapped i
frontier Zeitgeist. "Every Walter Mitty has
the public's outrage about rising crime. But
had his moment when he is Gary Cooper,
foresees that the drug menace could reshu
stalking the streets in 'High Noon' with his gun
political alignments as some moderates a
at the ready," wrote the late historian Richard
conservatives turn to supporting gun cont
Hofstadter in a 1970 antigun essay. Beyond the
This could have an impact on key gubernato:
romance, the Wild West's most lasting legacy
races in the next two years in places 1
is the suspicion that when it comes to protec-
Virginia and New York, where some can
Automatic assault rifle. This
tion, one can count on no one else. James Jones
dates have already adjusted their positions
AK-47 fires 30 rounds with a
said it well in his novel, The Pistol: "The world
address these concerns.
trigger squeeze. Only the
was rocketing to hell in a bucket, but if he
The result may well be a patchwork quilt
military, police and licensed
could only hold on to his pistol, remain in
laws with only marginal effect in keeping we:
citizens can use it.
possession of the promise of salvation its beau-
ons out of criminal hands. The key problem
Semiautomatic AK-47s look
tiful blued-steel bullet-charged weight offered
the difficulty in drafting laws that will separ
the same.
him, he would be saved."
assault weapons used in crime from semiau
Some police experts believe the greatest
matics frequently used for target practice a
growth in gun ownership in recent years has
sometimes for hunting. Pro-gun forces ins
been among people who want guns for self-
that gun critics base their objections on 1
protection. That fact underscores that they are
menacing appearance of firearms. "They
increasingly an urban phenomenon, even
really talking about banning something becau
though the greatest attraction for sporting
it's ugly," says Neal Knox, a former NF
Semiautomatic hunting rifle.
purposes continues in the South and the West,
executive. Even defining the much malign
This rifle fires one shot per
where rural roots remain strongest. Indeed,
Saturday night special has been elusive for t
trigger pull, the same
according to data cited as credible by both
Maryland panel that is supposed to impleme
mechanical function used in
sides, fewer than half the handguns in circula-
a ban on such weapons that voters passed la
semiautomatic assault rifles.
tion are primarily used for recreation. And
year. Despite the optimism surrounding wa
Gun advocates argue a ban on
women are increasingly buying guns for pro-
ing-period legislation, no one can warrant th
semiautomatics would affect
tection. Between 1983 and 1986, there was a 53
background checks will slow the acquisition
their rifles.
percent increase in female gun owners, accord-
guns by criminals, who tend to get their wea
ing to a Gallup poll for Smith & Wesson.
ons illegally anyway.
Not until the turn of this century, as the
Still, the recent debate has made a diffe
USN&WR-Basic data: National Rifle
frontier receded, did reformers take organized
ence, and a clearer middle course in handlii
Association, 1989
steps to control guns. The earliest legislation
the gun issue is emerging. Its basic tene
24
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, May 8, 19
U.S.NEWS
against government tyranny. "I never gave
consideration to owning an AK-47, but 1
now because of what those nuts in Washing
are doing," says George Grahovac of Spr
DOGS
field, Ohio. Grahovac cannot help remem
ing his adolescence in Yugoslavia, when.
says, Nazis massacred his relatives after COI
cating all private weapons. For men in part
lar, guns evoke a near mystical return to t
Cameras
youths, swathed in memories of standing alc
side their fathers in dawn-lighted blinds.
they recall traipses down dirt roads in long-
haunts with a bunch of pals, carting a Daisy
rifle or that first .22 on an idyllic Boy's
summer afternoon.
TAK
"Hitting America in the teeth"
The abundance of guns is nothing new
1624 survey at Jamestown, Va., counte
firearm for each colonist. Many a critic of
ownership has pondered why the Uni
States, almost alone among industrial natic
has persisted in maintaining a gun culti
The late sociologist Herman Kahn provide
partial answer in 1973 while criticizing a p
to ban schoolchildren from shooting on I
ranges. "You were hitting America in
Name: Gus Koutroulakis
teeth," he said. "You think it's making
ca suggests that there is no single solution to
Age: 59
minor change, just taking the gun away.
the nation's "gun problem." A Harris Survey
Occupation: Restaurant owner
right at the center of the culture."
released last month showed that nearly every
That culture arose from a mingling of
Above the lunchtime din at
other household in the country has a gun.
practical and the philosophical reasons W
Pete's Famous Hot Dogs, a
Purdy's was apparently a popular choice. The
Americans have been drawn to guns. ]
popular Birmingham, Ala.,
federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire-
practical reasons are simple: Pioneers neec
eatery, Koutroulakis talks
arms estimates Americans own 2 million to 3
to eat and to protect themselves from the wi
about being robbed nine years
million semiautomatic assault weapons. In the
The philosophical reason relates to the pol
ago. "It was 10 minutes after
last 18 months alone, BATF has received ap-
cal tyranny that immigrants, particularly the
10 on December 22.'
plications to import nearly a million assault
from Europe, had suffered when governme
Koutroulakis was not carrying
weapons. Accurate statistics about the abso-
limited access to weapons. Those fears bre
his .32-caliber pistol that
lute number of guns are as hard to come by as
long-lived political creed, bordering today
night. While he was outside, a
agreement about what to do with them; but
theology among some followers, in favor
robber entered his restaurant,
recent estimates show that 70 million Ameri-
popular access to arms as a counter to tyranı
held a gun to a woman's head
cans own approximately 140 million rifles and
The U.S. Constitution's Second Amer
and shot a man in the neck.
60 million handguns. In other words, the na-
ment reads, "A well regulated Militia, bei
Koutroulakis does not worry
tion's private arsenal is big enough to supply
necessary to the security of a free State, t
that having a gun could do
one gun to nearly every man, woman and
right of the people to keep and bear Arn
more harm than good. For
child in the country.
shall not be infringed." The NRA says th
him, the safer route is to be
Americans own guns for manifold reasons.
means government has no power to conti
armed. "That gun is the
Hunters like Tom Hudson, an electrical engi-
weapons, while gun opponents argue it relat
equalizer, he says. "You got
neer in Phoenix, Ariz., view their guns as a way
only to the right of states to maintain militi:
a lot of nuts out here, man.
to escape the "stoplight-and-concrete jungle."
A complete reading of court interpretatio
You don't know what's going
Target shooters emphasize the calmness, the
raises questions about both approaches. Ev
to happen. He supports the
discipline, the self-control involved in shooting.
the Supreme Court has not touched the que
NRA wholeheartedly,
Devotees of much reviled assault rifles are
tion in 50 years, and neither gun-control a
although, like the vast
drawn to the technology and the brute impact
vocates nor their opponents can take mu
majority of gun owners, he is
of these weapons. Collectors see beauty and
comfort from the 1939 ruling. In that de
not a member. "No one ever
craftsmanship. Their fascination represents
sion, the Court upheld a control on sawed-
asked me to join, he
nothing more menacing, they profess, than an
shotguns because they were not ordinary mi
explains. He wants to have the
antique-car buff's or a computer jock's mild
tary equipment explicitly protected by tl
maximum firepower to halt
obsessions. The millions of Americans who
Second Amendment. That kind of reasonin
the next robber, which means
keep guns for self-protection are buying talis-
in the current debate, might make skeet gui
he wants to buy an M-1 rifle.
mans they hope will ward off a seeming epidem-
more controllable than AK-47s.
"I know you can stop
ic of evil spirits. "I don't want to be a hero, but I
Whatever the Constitution's framers real
somebody with that."
want to be a victim even less," says Derek
Singh, a Brooklyn businessman who believes he
meant, America's peculiar frontier experien
fueled its attachment to guns. There, in lo
saved his life six years ago when he scared off
cabins and isolated farmhouses, the separa
attackers with the 38-caliber handgun he car-
practical and philosophical reasons for Amer
ries. Some gun owners see their weapons as foils
ca's gun devotion merged. "The ultimate fear
22
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, May 8, 19
WHY AMERICANS OWN FIREARMS (cont.)
12 LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN U.S.
COMPARISON OF ROBBERY AND HOMICIDE
FIREARMS FACTS: GENERAL
RATES BETWEEN SELECTED U.S. CITIES
NUMBER OF
Primary Reasons Own/Use Handguns: % of Owners,
Based on National Center for Health Statistics
WITH RESTRICTIVE AND NONRESTRICTIVE
:Approx. 200 million firearms
FIREARMS LAWS/ENFORCEMENT
60-85 million handguns
Projected Number of Americans
(1987, latest official estimates)
Total
GUNS IN U.S.
Based on 1987 F.B.I. Unitorm Crime Reports
GUN OWNERS
(30-35 million owners of 65,000,000 handguns)
ALL CAUSES
2,127,000
60-65 million, 35 million
No gun law, in any city, state, or nation, has over reduced
HUNTING:
10%; 3,500,000 Americans
Heart Diseases
762,820
violent crime, or slowed its rate of growth, compared to
IN U.S.
own handguns
Cancer (mailignant neoplasms)
477,190
similar jurisdictions without such laws. Indeed, most
FIREARMS
11% of firearms owners
PROTECTION:
58%; 21,000,000
Strokes (cerebrovascular diseases)
149,220
such laws are defended with citations of the number of
USED FOR
13% of handgun owners
Used Gun For
ACCIDENTS (and adverse effects)
94,840
persons denied lawiul access to handguns, white crime
PROTECTION
Protection:
13%;
4,600,000
Motor Vehicle"
45,901
trends are Ignored. With a virtual handgun ban, enforced
CRIMINAL
:Less than 0.2% of firearms
TARGET
Falls
12,001
with federal aid, violent crime 1058 In Washington, D.C.,
MISUSE OF
Less than 0.4% of
SHOOTING:
18%; 8,300,000
.
Polsoning (solld, liquid, gas)"
5,170
over twice as fast (48% va. 22%, 1976-1982) as the rest of
FIREARMS
handguns
14%;
5,000,000
Fire and Flames'
4,938
the nation, until adopting NRA-backed mandatory penal-
COLLECTING:
YEARLY
ingestion)*
4,453
ty, since which robbery has halved, although the
HUNTING AND CONSERVATION FACTS:
Drowning
4,407
homicide rate at 26.9 per 100,000 in 1975 has continued
Over 99.8% of U.S. firearms and 99.6% of U.S. handguns
The Sportsmen's Contribution
Other Transportation"
3,348
to rise reaching 60 in 1988. Chicago's (1962-1987) violent
Will not be involved in criminal activity in any given year.
Surgical/medical misadventures*
2,674
crime rate rose 150% while rising just 10% nationally.
Survey-research suggests that 650,000 Americans
Through hunting licenses, excise taxes and duck
Natural/environmental factors'
1,904
New York City now boasts one-Fifth of the nation's gun
every year use handguris for protection from burglars,
stamps, America's 18 militon hunters annually con-
Firearms*
1,549
related robberies and more homicides than the total of
robbers. rapists, assailants, would be murderers, etc.
tribute more than $500 million for wildlife and habitat
(Includes estimated 500 handgun
23 states. The two crimes most teared by Americans are
conservation, hunter education programs and funding of
murder in the course of another crime (50%) and robbery
and 280 hunting accidents)
state fish and wildilfe agencies.
Chronic pulmonery diseases
78,270
(43%) (1978 DMI poll); robbery and robber murder rates
are consistently higher in cities with restrictive firearms
To date. American hunters have contributed over $6
Pneumonia and influenza
70,120
WHY AMERICANS OWN FIREARMS
laws and/or hostite enforcement of such laws.
billion directly to wildlife conservation projects. Nearly $
Diseases of the arteries
46,390
CITIES: RESTRICTIVE GUN LAWSIENF ORCEMENT
million acres of wildlife habital have been acquired since
Diabetes
37,900
Based on 1978 Decision Making Information surveys.
Rates per 100,000
with handgun date confirmed by 1978 Caddell survey;
1937 through the Pittman Robertson excise taxes on
Suicide
30,980
Homicide
Robbery
guns and ammo alone. Without the hunter and his guns,
26,050
62.8
1382.7
abuse date from U.S. Public Health Service and F.B.I.
Cinhosis and other liver disease
Detroit
today's wildlife management successes would not have
Nephritis and other kidney disease
24,880
Newark
25.4
1328.5
data.
been possible.
Homicide and legal Intervention"
20,580
New York City
23.0
1083.0
Primary Reasons Own/Use Firearms: % of Owners,
*(1985, latest official figures)
Chicago
20.5
989.9
CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM (DCM)
**59% involve firearms.
Baltimore
29.5
976.1
Projected Number of Americans
Trains American youth in marksmanship. with mem-
Los Angeles
24.3
763.8
(Aporox. 65 million owners of 200,000,000 guns)
About 13% of the "homicide and legal Intervention"
bership oi more than 197,000: supports 1,980 civillan
Washington, D.C.
35.2
717.4
rifle clubs; trains over 96,000 juniors annually;
category involves the killing of criminals by police (3%)
CITIES: LEMIENT GUN LAWS/E NFORCEMENT
HUNTING:
513/26; 33.000,000 Americans
Holds 130 regulation state. local, and national
or civilians (10%) (Rushterth, of at., 1977)
Tulsa
9.5
290.3
PROTECTION:
32%:
21,000,000
PT
Handgens are involved in 1/2% of deaths among children
Tucson
6.1
243.2
matches yearly
"1E)arty socialization into the gun culture predisposes in-
under 14, including both accidental and criminal homi
Austin
8.3
209.8
Usec Gun For
"
cides, ranking handguns the 17th leading "cause."
Wichita
8.3
203.3
Protection:
11%
7.200,000
dividuals to entist in the armed forces later in life, which
3% of gun-related deaths Involve accidents or murders
EI Paso
51
195.8
TARGET
suggests that the gue culture is positively functional for
Omaha
7.5
152.0
SHOOTING:
3%
6,500,000
the success of the volunteer army (James D. Wright, et
by persons without prior histories of violence; 70% of
Corpus Christi
7.5
147.2
13/5:
2,600,000
ai., Under The Gun, 1983)
"victims" were suicides OF criminals.
COLLECTING:
NRA
U.S. COMPARED WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES
CAREER CRIMINALS JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILURES
RESTRICTIVE GUNS LAWS: ATTITUDE
AND ARMED VICTIM SUCCESSES
OF THE AMERICAN ELECTORATE
An criminologists studying the firearms issue reject
Based on date from 1978
FIREARMS
simple comparisons of violent crime among foreign
(Based an Department of Justice (DOJ) victimization
Decision Making information polls:
countries. Names D Wright, et al., Under the Gun,
surveys, felon surveys. PROMIS studies, research by
88% Believe in individual right to keep and bear BATIS
1983). "Gus control aces not deserve credit for the fow
the Rand Corp., James D Wright et 31. and Gery Kleck.)
47%- Households acknowledge gun ownership
FACT CARD
crime rates In Britain. Jagan. or other nations
93% Favor strict mandatory penalties for criminal use
Foreign style gun control is docmed to failure in
75-80% of U.S. violent crimes are committed by career
of firearms
America: not only coes it depend on search and
criminals. many on some form of conditional or early
33% Oppose handgen ban
1989
seizure 100 intrusive for American standards, #
release (30 35% of career criminals are rearrested with
88%- Agree that registration will not keep guns from
postulates an authoritarian philosophy of government
fundamentally at odes with the individual, egalitarian
previous criminal charges still pending) Most career
criminals
criminals' crime is related
Blame gun avallability/weak gun Laws for in-
SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE
American ethos (David Kopel "Foreign Gun Con-
creases in violent crime
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
trol in American Eyes. 1987)
Career convicted telons out of prison commit an
in the Voting Booth: 69% of Massachusetts (1976) voters
average of 187 crimes per year. costing society
rejected the handgun ban proposal, and 63% of Califor
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the secont.
Gun laws and lirearms availability have no relationship
$430,000, versus $25,000 per year cost of imprison-
ma (1982) voters rejected a handgun registration-and
ty of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear
Ireaze proposal. In the past decade, voters In 9 states
with murcer or suicice rates: England, with strict gun
ment.
Arms. shall not be infringed."
supported adding or strengthening the constitutional
laws, has a lower munder rate. but Northern Ireland
right to keep and bear arms by majorities ranging from
This guerantee is clearly a fundamental individual
with a more restrictive gun ban, has a musder rate
Only half of violent crimes are reported to the police,
right-not a so-called "collective right" -because the
and less than half of those (45%) are cleared by
58% to 83%
higher than U.S.: Switzerland and Israel, with more
Framers understood the concept of a "right" to apply
households armed, have murder rates comparable to
arrest of criminals. Unsuccessful investigations and
only to individuals and used the word "states" when col-
England and Japan-or lower.
lenient prosecutions and judgements tree most crim-
lective meanings ware intended
inais from legislated sentences
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION FACTS
The phrase "the right of the people" occurs in the 1ml
and 4th Amendment In the same way as in the Second
England has twice as many homicides with firearms
A prisoner survey by Wright et al., finds that criminals
Founded 1871 1988 Membership-2.82 million
Amendment. To claim the people" in the Second
as before adopting its repressive laws; yet counters
are more afraid of being shot by victims than by
more than 13,700 affilated clubs and associations Of-
Amendment means only "the state" would. by the
rising crime by increasing strictures on riftes and now
police; of career "handgun predators" 53% did not
ficial Publications: American Allfeman, American Hunter
same reasoning, eliminate the individual liberties of
on most shotguns During the past dozen years,
commit a specific crime for tear victim was armed,
trains over one million people annually In firearms
"the people" peaceably to assemble and to be free
handgun-retaled robbery rose over 200% in Britain
57% were scared off or shot by armed victims; 88%
salety 17.5 million people trained In hunter safety
from unreasonable searches and seizures.
while dropping in the U.S.
think criminals will always be able to get handgens,
programs
over one million police have been trained
by NRA-trained police and security firearms Instructors
Historically, English Common Law recognized this
absent handguns, 75% would use sawed-off shot
sanctions more than 11,800 National/International
right as making possible both common and personal
Murder rates of Japanese-Americans-who have ac-
guns. Unarmed felons listed tougher penalties for
using a gen as an important reason for not arming.
competitions annually.
defense.
cess to firearms- is even lower than the murder rate
The amendments in the am of Rights were tramed to
in Japan. where a virtual gun ban is too effect; Japan's
protect individual rights against governmental
suicide rate is twice as high as U.S. rate.
Kleck estimated that a burglar runs twice the chance
NRA Institute for Legislative Action
infringements.
of being shol by a victim as by the police. He also
1600 Rhode island Avenue, N.W.
found that using a gun for protection trom violent
Washington, D.C. 20036
No Supreme Court decision has ever held this right to
be collective. All four relevant Supreme Court decl-
Foreign countries are two to six times more affective
crime--rape, robbery, assault-reduces the likelihood
crime win be completed and reduces the likellhood in-
sions have recognized that the Second Amendment
In solving crimes and punishing criminals than
ML3N0015
Rev. 1/88 35M
guarantees an Individual right to keep and bear arms.
American Revolving-door justice is the problem.
lended victims will be Injured.
Susan
Lilly
828-6331