THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET ON 'SAVING OFFICERS' LIVES ACT'

The President has transmitted to the Congress a legislative proposal entitled the "Saving Law Enforcement Officers' Lives Act of 1995." This legislation would improve the Government's ability to protect law enforcement officers from handgun ammunition which -- as the result of its performance -- is unduly dangerous.

Federal law already authorizes restrictions on the manufacture, importation, and distribution of handgun ammunition made from certain types of materials. However, there are no restrictions on ammunition that may be manufactured from commonly used materials, but which by virtue of other factors, can pierce the bullet-proof vests worn by law enforcement officers.

The Saving Law Enforcement Officers' Lives Act of 1995 would:

• Direct the Secretary of the Treasury to determine if certain handgun ammunition -- by virtue of its performance -- is excessively dangerous to law enforcement officers because it will pierce standard bullet-proof vests. The Secretary would by regulation establish standards for the uniform testing of such ammunition.
• Prohibit the manufacture, importation, and distribution of handgun ammunition that functions at or above this uniform standard.
• Require the Secretary of the Treasury to consult with law enforcement representatives, sporting groups, bullet-proof vest manufacturers, ammunition manufacturers, and the academic research community in developing the regulations authorized by this Act.
• Require the Secretary of the Treasury to provide copies of the proposed regulations to the Congress, and provide that such regulations would not take effect for 45 days thereafter, giving the Congress the time to act to override them.