Looks like someone got smart in the House. I know they produce good weapons, but personally, I hope S&W loses a much market share as possible.
Read on:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The $309 billion defense spending bill the House debated Thursday would prevent the Defense Department from giving any preferential business to Smith & Wesson, the sole handgun maker that made a gun safety pact with the Clinton Administration.
Indiana Republican John Hostettler inserted the language in the bill at the committee level, with some bipartisan backing. Democrats who objected to the language were not able to offer an amendment when the bill reached the full House under the rules set for this debate.
The overall defense bill is expected to pass this week.
Smith & Wesson, a division of Britain's Tomkins Plc , became the first and only gun maker to adopt new safety standards in March in a deal with the Clinton administration and state and local officials.
The government dropped the threat of a lawsuit in exchange for gun safety concessions.
The Hostettler language does not mention Smith & Wesson by name, but it says the Pentagon may not use any funds to "give or withhold a preference to a market or vendor of firearms or ammunition" based on whether or not the manufacturer is party to any gun safety or manufacturing agreement.
As of now, the main multiyear contract is with Beretta, according to Pentagon spokesman Glenn Flood.
Some Republican lawmakers want to add similar language to other bills that could affect gun purchases at the Justice, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development departments.
House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt said the defense bill language "is another indication of much in league" House Republicans are with the National Rifle Association.
The House defeated gun measures last year, although the Senate had passed them after the 15 deaths at Columbine High School in Colorado. No compromise has been reached.
Read on:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The $309 billion defense spending bill the House debated Thursday would prevent the Defense Department from giving any preferential business to Smith & Wesson, the sole handgun maker that made a gun safety pact with the Clinton Administration.
Indiana Republican John Hostettler inserted the language in the bill at the committee level, with some bipartisan backing. Democrats who objected to the language were not able to offer an amendment when the bill reached the full House under the rules set for this debate.
The overall defense bill is expected to pass this week.
Smith & Wesson, a division of Britain's Tomkins Plc , became the first and only gun maker to adopt new safety standards in March in a deal with the Clinton administration and state and local officials.
The government dropped the threat of a lawsuit in exchange for gun safety concessions.
The Hostettler language does not mention Smith & Wesson by name, but it says the Pentagon may not use any funds to "give or withhold a preference to a market or vendor of firearms or ammunition" based on whether or not the manufacturer is party to any gun safety or manufacturing agreement.
As of now, the main multiyear contract is with Beretta, according to Pentagon spokesman Glenn Flood.
Some Republican lawmakers want to add similar language to other bills that could affect gun purchases at the Justice, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development departments.
House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt said the defense bill language "is another indication of much in league" House Republicans are with the National Rifle Association.
The House defeated gun measures last year, although the Senate had passed them after the 15 deaths at Columbine High School in Colorado. No compromise has been reached.