Whereas, The United States department of Justice reports that juvenile homicides in the U.S. have increased substantially in recent years, but that those with guns have quadrupled while non-gun homicides remain relatively unchanged; and

Whereas, Data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicate that each day 14 children in this nation are lost forever to guns, and that firearm deaths are now a leading cause of death for juveniles (in many states, more juveniles die from firearms than from car accidents, diseases or drugs); and

Whereas, Handguns are the weapon of choice for use in crimes, and gun use statistics indicate that Saturday Night Specials/Junk Guns are 3.4 times more likely to be involved in a crime as other guns; and

Whereas, Leading firearms experts say that Saturday Night Special/Junk Guns typically are inexpensive, low quality and poorly designed products with few safety devices, and therefore are especially hazardous; and

Whereas, Currently no federal regulatory agency, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BAFT), has the power to impose minimum design and safety standards on domestically manufactured guns, including Saturday Night Specials/Junk Guns; now therefore be it

Resolved, That the National PTA encourage its constituent bodies to educate its members and communities concerning the dangers of Saturday Night Specials/Junk Guns; and be it further

Resolved, That the National PTA urge its constituent bodies to support legislation, regulation and/or other national, state and local measures to ban the manufacture, sale or possession of Saturday Night Specials/Junk Guns.