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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release March 17, 2000

            STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT ON BREAKTHROUGH
                GUN SAFETY AGREEMENT WITH SMITH &WESSON

     This is a great day for the American people.  Over the past seven

years, this Administration has been fighting for a sensible solution to keeping America's streets safe and to end the senseless gun violence plaguing our nation. Today we've taken a major step forward and I am extremely pleased to hear that Smith and Wesson has stepped forward to lead their industry toward fundamental changes in the way guns are designed, distributed and marketed in this country. Their negotiation with the federal government to include locking devices and other safety features on guns will help spur our crusade to save lives and build bright futures.

Smith and Wesson's commitment to design new firearms that do not accept large-capacity clips or magazines and work with the ATF to provide ballistics fingerprints unleashes a new vision being unveiled by America's gun manufactures. I applaud their efforts and encourage other gun manufactures to follow their lead and help America unite to build safer communities.

I also want to thank the numerous mayors, city council members, and state attorneys for their leadership in this crusade. Together we can make a difference and end this violence.

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