HUD No. 00-94 | |
Further Information: | For Release |
In the Washington, DC area: 202/708-0685 | Thursday |
Or contact your local HUD office | May 4, 2000 |
STATEMENT BY HUD SECRETARY ANDREW CUOMO ON ACTION BY GUN MAKERS ON THE ISSUE OF GUN SAFETY
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today issued the following statement in response to news reports that gun manufacturers will no longer negotiate with the Clinton Administration and cities to reach a gun safety agreement like the one reached with Smith & Wesson. The news reports said the gunmakers will await the outcome of the November election in hopes that Governor George W. Bush will be elected President and be more sympathetic to their views. Secretary Cuomo said:
"There's good news that we now know what the obstacle to common-sense gun reform actually is. Gun manufacturers are saying there's no reason to settle lawsuits with cities if they can bank on a President George Bush getting elected because he'll immunize them against any lawsuit by government or by any individual, much the way he's favored guns in Texas. What will President Bush do? That's going to be the question. Fifty-thousand more people will be wounded by guns between now and Election Day. We lose 12 children every day in this country to gun violence. We know we can have safe guns, because we signed the safe gun agreement with Smith & Wesson. We have the technology, we have the safety features, and we can have responsible dealers who don't sell to criminals. "If gun manufacturers are saying they won't make guns safer until they hear from George Bush, then let Mr. Bush tell us what is his position. Will he immunize these gun manufacturers or will he demand they act responsibly? Let us hear now, the American people have a right to know. No more secrecy on his position about guns. Let's resolve this matter one way or the other, let's end the violence and end the killing once and for all." |