For Immediate Release

WITH 6 MONTHS UNTIL EXPIRATION, CEASEFIRE MD URGES BUSH, CONGRESS TO SAVE AND STRENGTHEN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

March 12, 2004

Maryland residents, police want federal ban on military-style weapons to be renewed, strengthened

Baltimore, MD: CeaseFire Maryland, local law enforcement officers, and the overwhelming majority of Free State voters today urged President Bush and Congress to renew and strengthen the federal ban on military-style assault weapons. The assault weapons ban is set to expire on September 13, 2004 – just six months from now.

Though the U.S. Senate recently approved renewing the assault weapons ban as an amendment to an onerous gun industry immunity bill, the gun lobby and Congressional leadership killed the entire package. President Bush did nothing to save the assault weapons ban, despite his repeated promises of support.

“With just six months before expiration of the assault weapons ban, we are becoming concerned that President Bush will not keep his word by actively supporting a tough assault weapons ban,” said Leah Barrett, Executive Director of CeaseFire MD. “We urge every member of Maryland’s congressional delegation to renew and strengthen the ban on military-style assault weapons like Uzis and AK-47s – the guns of choice for criminals. These guns have no business on the streets of Maryland.”

President Bush’s Promise:

President Bush has repeatedly pledged his support for the assault weapons ban. As recently as February 23, 2004, White House spokesperson Claire Buchan said “[w]ith regard to the assault weapons ban, [President Bush] supports the extension of the current ban.” With just six months remaining until the assault weapons ban expires, gun violence prevention advocates said now is the time for President Bush to keep his word.

“President Bush has repeatedly said he supports the assault weapons ban, and now it’s time to back up his words with action,” said Barrett. “As the leader of the party that controls both chambers of Congress, President Bush could save the assault weapons ban if he really wanted to. If the assault weapons ban dies, let there be no mistake who Marylanders will blame.”

Why the Ban Must be Strengthened:

The 1994 ban outlaws specific models of military-style semiautomatic assault weapons. But in a willful attempt to violate the spirit of the law, the gun industry continues to manufacture “post-ban” assault weapons – guns identical to those banned except for minor cosmetic changes. The Bushmaster XM15 used in the 2002 DC-area sniper attacks, for example, is a “post-ban” version of the AR15 assault rifle, which is banned under current law. CeaseFire MD called on Congress to pass legislation that would stop the gun industry from manufacturing “post-ban” assault weapons such as the Bushmaster XM15.

The guns of choice for criminals, assault weapons were used to kill one in five law enforcement officers slain in the line of duty between 1998 and 2001, according to a Violence Policy Center analysis of FBI data.

Broad Support for Assault Weapons Ban:

In large part because of this alarming trend, local and state police officials strongly support renewing and strengthening the assault weapons ban. The Maryland Police Chiefs Association, Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger and Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Clark all called on President Bush and Congress to act.

“Police officers are the first line of defense in securing our public safety,” said Kevin Clark, Baltimore City Police Commissioner. “We cannot allow our brave men and women in blue to be outgunned on the streets.” Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger commented: "After what this community went through during the sniper attacks, you would think passing this bill would be a mere formality. I urge the President and our Governor to take this issue seriously since lives are at stake from these highly lethal weapons."

Survey research also shows overwhelming support for a strong assault weapons ban among the public. Over three quarters of Maryland voters (77%) say they favor a ban on the future sales of military-style assault weapons including post-ban copycats like the Bushmaster, according to a recent statewide poll [Gonzales Research, February, 2004].