FROM the attorney general's "Weekly Press Availability," Justice Department, Dec. 8:
QUESTION: Ms. Reno, could we talk about politics for a couple of minutes? As recently as Sunday Speaker-to-be Newt Gingrich criticized the assault weapons ban, saying it would be particularly ineffective.
If the Republican majorities seek to repeal the assault weapons ban and the Brady Law in particular over their first 100 days, how vigorously will the administration oppose it, and would that opposition include a presidential veto if that -- he got to that point?
ANSWER BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO: I think that the American people have spoken out. I don't think that they want weapons on the street where the sole purpose is to attack and to kill. I think they understand the common sense aspect of the Brady Law, that requires a check to make sure that a person is authorized and is legally entitled to use a weapon. I think the fact of the Brady Law's discovery -- just in the time that it has been law, that people still continue to try to purchase weapons although they are not legally entitled to have those weapons because they have prior convictions, is an example of how important the law is, and I look forward to working with Speaker-elect Gingrich and with all concerned, to make sure that the will of the America people is heard.
Q. So, if they try to do this the opposition will be vigorous, is basically what you're saying, or --
A. That's correct.
Q. Or are you saying that we'll cross that bridge when we come to it?
A. I've continued to speak out in support of the Brady Law, I've continued to speak out on the ban on assault weapons.
I think the most important role that I can play is to speak out on what I think is right and talk about it in common-sense terms and leave the politics aside.
I think we've got to start talking about what's the right thing to do and continue on and engage in thoughtful debate that's not engaged in just political 30-second sound bites.
I think it's really important for this nation. This nation wants to be governed, wants to be governed by people who, although they disagree, can sit down and talk out issues and get the job done, and I'm committed to trying to do that.
Q. And if the struggle goes down to the knife, as it were, will the president veto a repeal of the Brady Law and the --
A. One of the things that you-all should stop doing is stop talking in such terms as "going down to the knife."
That's not what government is about. The government is about let's look at this, the president will address the issue, but I think it's clear that the administration is very supportive and has been very supportive of the ban on assault weapons and on the Brady Law, and I think those are two important provisions.