McCollum Calls on White House to Rigorously Enforce Ban on Imported Assault Weapons

Press Release

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) has co-signed a letter to President Barack Obama urging his Administration to immediately direct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to act in accordance with the 1968 Gun Control law and return to enforcing the ban on the import of all assault weapons.

"Properly and rigorously enforcing the ban on imported assault weapons is vital to ensuring public safety and protecting law enforcement officials in the field. The ATF must comply with the law so that innocent Americans will not be caught in the crossfire of guns designed with the capacity to shoot 5 bullets in 5 seconds," Congresswoman McCollum said.

In recent years, the ATF has quietly abandoned enforcement of the import ban, resulting in the civilian firearms market being flooded with imported inexpensive military-style assault weapons. Today, AK-47s, Uzis and TEC-9s, are rampant on America's streets. Law enforcement experts maintain that there is no legitimate reason weapons designed for high-combat military purposes and killing people should be in the hands of average citizens.

"It is important to understand that this ban targets criminals, not people who hunt. I represent a Congressional District with constituents who are hunters and sportsmen and I want to make it clear this law only affects firearms not used for sporting purposes," McCollum said.

The letter calls for stricter compliance of the ban, which was previously enforced during the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton and includes weapons that are fully manufactured abroad as well as those imported as parts. The Associated Press recently conducted an analysis showing that the number of AK variants traced to crime by ATF has increased from 1,140 in 1993 to 8,547 in 2007.

"Allowing more guns in our communities is irresponsible, especially as our nation struggles with homeland security, terrorism and crime. Yes, I am a supporter of the Second Amendment to the Constitution, but I also support sensible gun laws. Far too many people are the victims of gun violence in our nation," McCollum added.

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