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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release June 18, 1999

STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT

Last night, the House of Representatives took a step in the wrong direction -- refusing to pass strict background checks for those who buy guns at gun shows. I respect the rights of qualified gun owners. Though we have seen too many families torn apart to allow this issue to divide us as a nation. We have lost too many children to leave a single gun loop hole on our law books. Every gun that is sold to a child or a criminal is a gun that can turn up at your child's school, or the block that you live.

Let every parent send a clear message to Congress: we must do whatever it takes to close the loopholes and get the guns away from children and criminals.