Rick Lazio: “I rise today in support of H.R. 4296. Several factors affected my recent decision to support this legislation which…”

“I rise today in support of H.R. 4296. Several factors affected my recent decision to support this legislation which would ban the continued manufacturing of semiautomatic assault weapons. The most significant of these factors was the overwhelming support of this ban by both national and local law enforcement organizations and officials. In New York, this includes the Suffolk County Policeman's Benevolent Association, the Deputy Sheriff's Benevolent Association, the Superior Officers Association of Suffolk, the Police Conference of New York, as well as New York City's police commissioner and the president of New York City's Patrolman's Benevolent Association. National groups include the Fraternal Order of Police, with over 230,000 members, the National Association of Police Organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officer's Association. All are experts on crime, and as a former criminal prosecutor, I respect their collective judgment that H.R. 4296 is necessary for the public safety.”