"The vote reauthorizing the assault weapons ban is a vote in support of a public safety initiative that works.  According to a report issued by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the assault weapons ban passed ten years ago has resulted in a substantial decline in the use of those weapons in crimes. 

Law enforcement officers know this ban has made their work safer which is why so many of them, across the country, lined up to support it.  I believe we should put the interests of the men and women who protect us from crime ahead of the interests of the NRA.  Assault weapons are designed for one thing – killing people. 

Closing the gun show loophole is also a tremendous step forward.  That loophole allows people who are otherwise prohibited from buying guns to buy them from unlicensed dealers at gun shows without facing a background check.  This includes terrorists and other criminals who are purchasing these guns in order to do violence.  Closing the loophole will give meaning and value to our system of requiring background checks for the purchase of guns and will not hinder purchases made by law abiding citizens.

I urge my colleagues in the House to support these provisions and I call on President Bush to ensure they become law."