Washington, Oct 8 (Prensa Laina) The increase of firearms on the streets of the United States has put so much pressure on Miami security forces that they have been ordered to equip themselves “with as many automatic weapons as they can,” Miami Police Chief John Timoney said Monday.
Chief Timoney said his department should start an arms race that allows it to be on an equal footing with criminals, if it wants to stop murders, El Nuevo Herald daily reported.
It is Congress’ fault, said the police chief, who recalled with pleasure a law passed by ex President Bill Clinton, prohibiting large and small-bore weapons imports, and regulating gun sales to the civilian population.
After Clinton signed that regulation in 1994, the number of incidents with automatic weapons decreased by over 75 percent, according to the Department of Justice statistics
However Congress refused to prolong the measure in 2004 and, as it legalized import of automatic weapons, it caused a new increase of crimes on US streets, Timoney told El Nuevo Herald.
He also complained of the legislation that hinders the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Fire Arms Agency from sharing information with police departments about movement and criminal use of weapons.
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