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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 2, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

I commend the citizens of Colorado who took an important step today toward reducing gun violence by submitting nearly twice the number of signatures needed to place an initiative on the state ballot to close the gun show loophole. Colorado voters can now do what Congress has failed to do: close a deadly loophole that allows criminals, juveniles and other restricted persons to buy guns at gun shows with no questions asked.

With our nation losing 10 children to gunfire every day, Congress should heed the voices of millions of Americans concerned about gun violence -- not those of the gun lobby -- and follow the lead of states like Colorado. While Colorado's progress is encouraging, we should not have to rely on a patchwork of state laws when it comes to protecting our children's safety. Only Congress can pass legislation that protects children all across America. National legislation to close the gun show loophole and keep guns out of the wrong hands should be passed without further delay.

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