http://www.wnbc.com/politics/4223712/detail.html
Corzine, Lautenberg To Introduce Bill Banning Assault Pistol Use
POSTED: 10:07 am EST February 23, 2005
WASHINGTON -- New Jersey's U.S. senators plan to introduce a bill that would make it illegal for anyone, except a police officer or military official, to purchase or use an assault pistol that fires bullets capable of penetrating a bulletproof vest.
The Five-SeveN gun made by FN Herstal of Belgium has already been denounced by three national police organizations and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The handgun is small and lightweight and easily concealed in a person's pocket, the groups said.
Last month, the Brady Campaign released a videotape of its staff test-firing one of the handguns it had purchased from a Virginia gun dealer. The bullets penetrated a police Kevlar vest.
Democratic Sens. Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg said the guns are a menace to society.
"There is absolutely no reason anyone other than law enforcement and the military should possess firepower capable of piercing protective body armor," Lautenberg said.
The two senators plan to introduce the Protect Law Enforcement Armor (PLEA) Act next week. The bill would ban the sale, purchase and use of the handgun and its ammunition by anyone other than a police officer or military official. The bill would also prohibit the gun and bullets from being made in the United States.
Police officials from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers say every police officer in the country needs to familiarize themselves with the weapon because it poses a great risk to the public.
The U.S. office of FN Herstal in McLean, Va., did not respond Tuesday to an e-mail message seeking comment.
Corzine, Lautenberg To Introduce Bill Banning Assault Pistol Use
POSTED: 10:07 am EST February 23, 2005
WASHINGTON -- New Jersey's U.S. senators plan to introduce a bill that would make it illegal for anyone, except a police officer or military official, to purchase or use an assault pistol that fires bullets capable of penetrating a bulletproof vest.
The Five-SeveN gun made by FN Herstal of Belgium has already been denounced by three national police organizations and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The handgun is small and lightweight and easily concealed in a person's pocket, the groups said.
Last month, the Brady Campaign released a videotape of its staff test-firing one of the handguns it had purchased from a Virginia gun dealer. The bullets penetrated a police Kevlar vest.
Democratic Sens. Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg said the guns are a menace to society.
"There is absolutely no reason anyone other than law enforcement and the military should possess firepower capable of piercing protective body armor," Lautenberg said.
The two senators plan to introduce the Protect Law Enforcement Armor (PLEA) Act next week. The bill would ban the sale, purchase and use of the handgun and its ammunition by anyone other than a police officer or military official. The bill would also prohibit the gun and bullets from being made in the United States.
Police officials from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers say every police officer in the country needs to familiarize themselves with the weapon because it poses a great risk to the public.
The U.S. office of FN Herstal in McLean, Va., did not respond Tuesday to an e-mail message seeking comment.
