Brady Campaign - CONGRESS MUST ACT ON COP KILLER GUN

Brady Campaign - CONGRESS MUST ACT ON COP KILLER GUN: "CONGRESS MUST ACT
ON COP KILLER GUN
For Immediate Release:
03-03-2005Contact Communications:
(202) 898-0792
Washington D.C. - Today, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to eliminate a clear and present threat to police officers across America - a handgun that shoots body armor piercing bullets.

'We are very grateful to Senators Lautenberg, Corzine and Schumer and Congressman Eliot Engel for introducing legislation in the Senate and the House of Representatives to outlaw this weapon,' said Michael Barnes, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March. 'This weapon is a tragedy waiting to happen.'

'Instead of focusing on the threat to law enforcement caused by public sales of this cop killer gun, many in Congress are instead trying to pass legislation that would immunize the gun's manufacturer from lawsuits,' Barnes said. 'That's insane.'

The gun industry immunity legislation (H.R. 800/S. 397) introduced two weeks ago would shield FN Herstal, a Belgian company, from potential lawsuits based on the sale of its cop killer gun. FN Herstal officials have reportedly told the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that commercially available ammunition for the weapon would not penetrate the vests worn by thousands of police officers. Testing has proven the company's claim to be false.

The easily concealable, lightweight handgun retails for about $1,000. One was purchased, along with ammunition, from a Virginia gun dealer in January by staff from the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. In a test conducted by Brady staff, the ammunition purchased with the weapon penetrated a vest. The gun and ammunition were turned over to the Wa"