Statement on the Report on Juvenile Crime

These statistics are a chilling reminder to all of us—parents, teachers, police officers, and elected leaders—that juvenile violence remains the number one crime problem in America.

I am proud of the landmark legislation we have passed to fight the scourge of youth violence, such as the juvenile handgun ban and zero-tolerance for guns in schools. But if we are to win this fight against crime and violence, more parents must begin to teach their children right from wrong.

And to anyone who would undo the steps I have taken to fight crime and violence in America's streets and on her schoolyards, I say, look at the facts. Now is not the time to weaken our laws.