Few people think that the Brady bill, which requires a waiting period and a potential police background check before a handgun purchase, will have a major impact on crime. Instead, it represents a first step toward much more restrictive gun controls. In addition, although President Clinton is probably right about the role of a Federal death penalty, even though it will probably have little impact on public safety. However, the proposal of Federal funding for 50,000 new police officers is inappropriate, because of the Federal deficit and the lack of clear evidence that police density affects crime. Federal funding of local police will inevitably bring local police under Federal control. This approach, combined with Vice President Gore's proposal to consolidate all Federal law enforcement under a single command will violate the spirit of the Second Amendment. More appropriate actions would include forfeiture reform, steps to return control over criminal justice to the States, warrant reform, and the repeal of all Federal mandatory minimum sentences.