Justice Dept. Backs Bill Banning Plastic Guns
The Justice Department, ending a long silence by the Reagan Administration on the issue, endorsed legislation Wednesday to ban plastic guns unless they contain enough metal to set off metal detectors.
After months of internal debate in the Administration, Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III promised Sen. James A. McClure (R-Ida.), “the enthusiastic support of the Justice Department” for his legislation on undetectable plastic guns.
“We believe your bill is an excellent legislative proposal to deal with the threat posed by criminals and terrorists armed with such weapons,” Meese told McClure in a letter, which represents the first time the Administration has taken a public position on plastic gun legislation.
The Secret Service, part of the Treasury Department, testified in favor of a plastic gun ban last year.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
