Reply #60: Advocates Decry Expiration of Assault Weapons Ban

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as 1994 Law Sunsets on Bush's Watch; Over 1,900 Police Chiefs, Sheriffs Across US Called on Bush to Renew, Strengthen Federal Assault Weapons Ban

9/14/2004 8:01:00 AM


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To: National Desk

Contact: Bryan Miller, 856-371-3038 or Andy Pelosi, 917-587-4108

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Despite overwhelming support for a strengthened assault weapons ban from nearly 2,000 police chiefs and sheriffs and a September 6, 2004 poll by the Annenberg Public Policy Centre that found that 68 percent of Americans wanted the ban extended, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban has sunset on President George W. Bush's watch.

A letter listing Police Officers and Sheriffs who have signed on asking for a strong and effective ban was delivered to all 535 Members of Congress and the President, but even such broad support from the nation's police chiefs didn't prompt action from the White House.

Military-style semiautomatic assault weapons pose a grave risk to law enforcement officers. One in five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2001, was killed with an assault weapon according to a study of FBI data, by the Violence Policy Center.

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