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Clinton appeals to start new century with guns control

BOSTON: President Bill Clinton appealed to Congress on Tuesday to begin the new century with a fresh slate on gun control, saying "commonsense gun safety" should be the first item on this year's agenda.

Clinton requested support for a $280 million package of new gun safety and enforcement programmes that he will propose in his budget package.

And he asked that lawmakers "start this new century by abandoning another stale debate" about whether the government should do a better job enforcing existing gun laws or fight crime and prevent firearms accidents through new gun-control laws.

"The real answer is we should do both," said Clinton, who expressed concern about a spate of high-profile shooting attacks at high schools and community centers.

A shooting spree at Columbine High School in Colorado last spring left 15 dead. The April 20th attack was the deadliest school shooting in US history.

Clinton's budget package, he said, was designed to send an unambiguous message to criminals: "If you commit crimes with guns or violate gun laws, you will pay a heavy price".

The National Rifle Association, offered cautious support for the new enforcement tools the president is requesting.

Clinton wants 500 new US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents and inspectors, plus 1,000 more prosecutors focusing on gun crime at all levels and programme to track guns through ballistics testing.

In addition to the gun plan Clinton announced on Tuesday, the administration already has said it will ask for $10 million to develop "smart guns" that fire only when held by their owners.