HAPCOA and other national law enforcement organizations send letter urging Congress to renew the 1994 ban on assault weapons
June 19, 2004
United States Congress
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Representative
The following national law enforcement organizations, consisting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Foundation, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Police Executive Research Forum, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, National Association of School Resource Officers, National Black Police Association and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, collectively represent America's law enforcement professionals. Their agencies are on the front lines of America's war on crime, drugs, and terrorism. These organizations represent law enforcement management, rank-and-file officers and other policing professionals. The law enforcement leaders who comprise their memberships applaud your past efforts to make our cities and counties safer and hope you will continue that work by ensuring the federal ban against military-style assault weapons does not expire.
Law enforcement is committed to reducing violence and fear in all our communities. Police are especially concerned about weaponry that increases the threat of violence against officers and the citizens they protect. In the past, the nation's peace officers have joined together to oppose the sale of armor-piercing ammunition, undetectable firearms and military-style assault weapons that have no legitimate sporting purpose.
Now, we come together again to urge your support for legislation to renew the 1994 ban on assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips. As you know, the ban is scheduled to expire on September 13, 2004.
Since the law was enacted, the ban has proven remarkably effective in reducing the number of crimes involving assault weapons. Since 1994, the proportion of assault weapons traced to crimes has fallen by a dramatic 66 percent. Public opinion polls continue to prove that upwards of 75 percent of the public supports a reauthorization of the current ban.
But unless Congress acts now, the firearms of choice for terrorists, drug dealers and gang members will be back on our streets-where officers will again be outgunned by criminals. The weapons in question-including the Colt AR-15, a semiautomatic version of the M-16 machine gun used by our armed forces, the Uzi, as well as the TEC-9 pistol, whose manufacturer's advertisements hailed its "fingerprint-resistant" finish-have been used in countless murders such as the Stockton Schoolyard and Columbine High School shootings.
Our community leaders have been working with their law enforcement agencies in recent years to reduce our violent crime rates. The ban on assault weapons and high capacity clips has been a crucial component of our national crime-fighting strategy. And with homeland security a vital part of the daily law enforcement mission, we need to know that these assault weapons and their high capacity magazines will not be back in circulation. It would be a significant step back for law enforcement and public safety.
The undersigned organizations urge you to join us in supporting the effort to renew the federal ban on military-style assault weapons. Thank you for considering the views of law enforcement.
Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association
International Association of Chiefs of Police
International Brotherhood of Police Officers
Major Cities Chiefs Association
National Association of School Resource Officers
National Black Police Association
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
Police Executive Research Forum
Police Foundation