Brady Center and Police, Public Health Coalition Seek to Block Military Weapon Imports
9/20/01

September 19, 2001
Contact Information:
Brendan Daly
Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence
1225 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 898-0792
www.bradycenter.org

Brady Center and Police, Public Health Coalition Seek to Block Military Weapon Imports

Washington, DC - The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, joined by the National Association of Police Organizations, the American Public Health Association and other law enforcement and public health groups, today filed a legal brief in federal court seeking to prevent the importation of high-capacity military assault rifles [b]able to shoot scores of rounds without reloading.[/b]

The brief was filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Springfield, Inc. v. Buckles, a lawsuit brought by a firearms importer challenging the 1998 decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) to bar the importation of any rifle that could accept a "detachable large capacity magazine."

ATF acted after various foreign gun manufacturers had modified the features of their guns to evade the previous import ban imposed by the first Bush Administration in 1989, as well as to evade the 1994 federal assault weapon ban approved by Congress. However, because these modified weapons were still able to accept military ammunition magazines containing scores of rounds, they retained the extraordinary firepower characteristic of assault weapons. Such military assault rifles repeatedly have been used in mass killings, including such terrorist attacks as the one in 1993 by Mir Aimal Kasi on motorists at the entrance to the CIA headquarters in Virginia, in which two people were killed and three injured.

[b]"At this time of urgent concern for our national security, it is distressing that a gun company continues to challenge our government's efforts to protect us from military weaponry,"[/b] said Dennis Henigan, Director of the Brady Center's Legal Action Project. [b]"The law enforcement community, and the public health community, have formed a united front to keep combat weapons from our shores.[/b] Where does the gun industry stand? Is it committed to doing everything possible to keep the most dangerous weapons out of the most dangerous hands?"

ATF is required by the Gun Control Act of 1968 to prevent the importation of all firearms that are not "particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes." ATF's 1998 decision to broaden the import ban to include all rifles that can accept a high-capacity magazine followed the enactment of the federal assault weapon ban in 1994, which included a ban on future domestic production of large-capacity magazines. However, the legislation grandfathered such magazines already in circulation.

A federal judge upheld the broadened import ban last year ago and the importer appealed.

The groups joining the Brady Center's brief include the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, the National Association of Police Organizations, Inc., the Police Foundation, the National Black Police Association, the American Public Health Association, the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. The brief was prepared with the pro bono assistance of the Washington, D.C. law firm, Arnold & Porter.
------------------
"At this time of urgent concern for our national security, it is distressing that a gun company continues to challenge our government's efforts to protect us from military weaponry,"
I do not need protection from "military weaponry", the focus should be on the aggressors not their tools!
I truly loathe these people and their twisted lies.

when the combat hardened armies land on our shores,we shall have sticks,gas,and tazers to defend our families and property.
Only then will they realize that they have helped the enemy more then any bio-weapon could have.

Hey FullRange!  Haven't seen you around here in a while, I've moved up nawth finally - you had mentioned something about a gravel pit a couple months ago?  [:D]

Check your email  :)

Look at this crap, saying that terrorist use these weapons so they can pass the ban with ease. Taking advantage of people in their weakened state is just wrong. Next they will say 50cals can take down airplanes if used by terrorist and that pocket rockets can be used to distribute anthrax.