Defying Republicans, Clinton to continue gun buys

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Clinton Sunday vowed to continue a multimillion-dollar gun buyback program despite orders from Republican House budget appropriators to halt it.

Since April, near the first anniversary of the slayings at Columbine High School in Colorado, more than 17,000 guns in 70 cities have been turned in under the federal buyback program at a cost of $3.5 million.

Another 30 cities are expected to start programs in coming months, the administration said.

Clinton's decision came despite opposition to the $15 million Buyback America program from the chairman of a House appropriations subcommittee, Rep. James Walsh of New York, who claims existing law does not authorize such spending.

The New York Times reported Sunday that Walsh's panel, which oversees the Department of Housing and Urban Development that is running the program, in June told the agency's secretary, Andrew Cuomo, to stop financing it.

In a statement, Clinton countered that the housing agency had clear legal authority to finance the program and accused Republicans of again bowing to pressure from the powerful National Rifle Association, which opposes the program and gun control measures in general.

"Congress should put the public safety interests of American families above those of the gun lobby and support these efforts instead of working to undermine them," Clinton said.

"If we work together, we can continue to bring down gun crime, reduce gun violence, and save lives," he added, citing statistics that show gun violence kills 30,000 people and injures another 100,000 every year in the United States.

The Times quoted Walsh as denying he had been pressured by the NRA or its allies in Congress. He also told the newspaper that housing officials could be fined or even jailed if the program continued.

Under the program, gun owners receive about $50 for each weapon turned in, no questions asked, and local businesses are encouraged to donate gift certificates for food, toys and other items to sweeten the deal.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sunday, July 30, 2000

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