WASHINGTON -- Hard-charging William Bennett is off to a rocket-fast start as America's first drug czar.
Entering his second full day in office Wednesday, Bennett has already obtained a ban on most imports of semiautomatic weapons and is moving to get unprecedented federal help for the violence-wracked nation's capital.
'What's next? Good question,' said Larry Cirignano, a Bennett spokesman. 'But he is already showing what this office can do.'
Tuesday, less than 24 hours after being sworn in as the director of the new office of National Drug Policy Control, Bennett announced an immediate and indefinite ban on the import of more than 100,000 semiautomatic rifles.
Bennett said the ban will remain in effect until a determination is made on whether such weapons, as required by law, have legitimate purposes. In rising numbers, drug gangs have armed themselves with these rapid-fire guns.
Under the ban, the Treasury Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will not approve the importation of Soviet-desgined AKS-type weapons, which includes the notorious AK-47s, as well as Uzi carbines and Austrian-designed Steyr Aug semiautomatics, as well as the Belgian-designed FN-FAL-types and FN-FNC-types.
Gun control foes argue semiautomatics are basically the same as many weapons used by hunters. Advocates of tighter controls contend the guns have no legitimate use and can be converted into illegal automatic weapons.
Bennett had heard the concerns and arguments prior to his confirmations hearings earlier this month, and at a news conference Monday was asked when he would make a decision.
'Well, he slept on it, woke up and said, 'Let'sdo something now,'' said Cirignano, adding that Bennett promptly alerted the White House, Treasury Department and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms of his plans.
Bennett disclosed Monday that he expects to declare the District of Columbia as the nation's first 'high-intensity drug trafficking area.'
Such a designation, created by the 1988 drug legislation that established Bennett's job, would enable him to mobilize federal resources to combat the city's escalating drug-related violence.
On Tuesday, Bennett's chief spokesman, Don Hamilton, said Bennett now intends to make the declaration, possibly within a few weeks after an action plan is developed.
Later Tuesday, Bennett conferred with Mayor Marion Barry, who specifically asked for more jail space, expanded health facilities, improved housing and 'help in law enforcement.'
'He (Bennett) is here to assist. We welcome the assistance,' said Barry, who has been unable to stem almost daily shootings and murders that have made the district the nation's new murder capital.
Barry said he and Bennett agreed to try to use the nation's capital as a 'model' to combat drug-related violence. 'If it can't be done here, it can't be done anywhere,' Barry said. 'It was a very good meeting.'
Bennett's move on automatic rifles came a week after President Bush, who has opposed a ban on such weapons, said for the first time that he would be open to some restrictions on them.
White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said Bush was told of the decision Tuesday morning and agreed 'this review is warranted.' Bennett's spokesman Hamilton said the action would not have been taken if Bush had objected.
The National Rifle Association, the leading opposition group to stiffer gun control, which counts Bush among its members, had a moderate reaction.
NRA Executive Director Wayne LaPierre said in a prepared statement that the review over the sporting usefulness of the weapons 'should put a stop to the media hysteria' over AK-47s and similar guns.
One of Bennett's chief tasks now is to develop within six months a comprehensive anti-drug plan. He must also round out a staff of about 120 people, which so far consists of about two dozen.
Said Cirignano: 'I was hired Monday -- and already there's been plenty of action.'
