For Immediate Release
July 6, 2004
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence United with the Million Mom March
Contact: Peter Hamm, 202-898-0792
Washington, DC
Former Presidents Ford, Carter and Clinton are
urging President Bush to save the landmark 1994 federal Assault Weapons
Act, which is set to expire September 13 unless the President and
Congress act.
Saying "at a time when terrorism continues to be a serious threat, it
is even more imperative that we renew the Assault Weapons Act and limit
access to military-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips."
The former Presidents point out that there are few Congressional working
days left before the ban expires, and urge President Bush "to make
reauthorization of the Assault Weapons Act a top priority for your
Administration and spur Congress to action."
The federal Assault Weapons Act bans the manufacture and sale of
military-style semiautomatic assault weapons, including the AK-47, Uzi
and TEC-9, and expires on September 13, 2004 unless renewed by President
Bush and Congress. Renewal of the Act is supported by major law
enforcement organizations and opposed by the National Rifle Association.
According to ATF data, since the Act was passed in 1994, the incidence
of assault weapon use in crime has dropped by 66 percent.
Former Presidents Reagan, Carter and Ford sent a similar letter to
Congress in May 1994 urging Congress to pass the law.
The letter was sent to the White House today. The full text follows.
June 14, 2004
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush:
We are pleased that you support reauthorization of the federal Assault
Weapons Act, which is scheduled to expire in September. Each of us,
along with President Reagan, worked hard in support of this vital law,
and it would be a grave mistake if it were allowed to sunset.
There continues to be strong support for this law among our nation's
police officers who risk their lives every day to protect the public.
That is because they remember the days, prior to the enactment of the
law in 1994, when military-style, semiautomatic firearms had become the
weapons of choice for gangs, drug traffickers, and paramilitary
extremist groups. The firearm death rate soared as criminals used these
weapons, outfitted with 20, 50 and even hundred round ammunition clips,
to kill, maim, and terrorize. We cannot go back to those days.
At a time when terrorism continues to be a serious threat, it is even
more imperative that we renew the Assault Weapons Act and limit access
to military-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips. But with
upcoming recesses, there are not many legislative days left for Congress
to renew the law. We urge you to make reauthorization of the Assault
Weapons Act a top priority for your Administration and spur Congress to
action. If we can be of assistance to you in this regard, we are ready
to do so.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford
Bill Clinton
Jimmy Carter
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Peter Hamm
Communications Director
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
United with the Million Mom March
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