Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, January 20, 2000

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan January 20, 2000 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Applauds Clinton Gun Initiative WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. endorsed President Clinton’s initiative to enforce existing gun laws. The initiative was outlined in a press conference on Tuesday in Boston. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “My record is clear and I am delighted the President has changed his approach to combating gun crimes. I support efforts to keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them — criminals, juveniles, and the mentally ill. Enforcing existing gun laws is a proven, sensible plan and is already lowering crime in a number of cities such as Richmond, Virginia.” Richmond implemented a gun law enforcement program, called Project Exile, with support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, local businesses, and law enforcement. In 1998, the first full year of the program, Richmond’s high murder rate plummeted 33% below the 1997 rate. Ehrlich has called for the introduction of Project Exile in Maryland, leading a site visit to Richmond for several members of the Maryland General Assembly in early December 1999. He is supporting initiatives in Annapolis to change Maryland laws to enable prosecutors to more vigorously enforce existing state laws — closing loopholes allowing criminals to avoid minimum prison sentences for carrying and using guns and establishing tougher standards to deny bail to people arrested for various gun crimes. Subsequent to the visit to Richmond, Ehrlich drafted proposed legislation for consideration during the 2000 session of the Maryland Legislature. Congressman Ehrlich explained, "Although a relatively new program, Project Exile is based on a simple concept: vigorous and uniform enforcement of existing gun laws. Felons found in (continued)