Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen says the administration will seek congressional approval for a sharp rise in the licensing fee paid by gun dealers as a way cutting down on the number of people selling firearms.
But the National Rifle Association said the administration simply was trying to harass dealers and drive up the cost of firearms.Bentsen said increasing licensing fees was among a number of proposals being considered in the administration's effort to fight violent crime. He said he favors a ban on the most lethal types of ammunition.
Since 1968 gun dealers have paid $30 for a three-year license or $10 per year. The recently enacted Brady gun control law increases that to $200 for three years for new licenses and $90 for three years for renewal of a license.
President Clinton has offered general support for national licensing and training of gun owners, but Bentsen, in an interview Monday with The Associated Press, sidestepped a question on whether that would be a part of the administration's recommendations.
Treasury's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has expressed reservations about the feasibility of federal licensing for gun owners.
Bentsen predicted that an increase in the licensing fee would win approval in Congress as a way to make it easier for federal officials to regulate the sale of firearms.
"It makes no sense at all to have over 250,000 dealers in guns today and to have a very minimum payment where you have people even operating out of their kitchens," the Treasury secretary said.
He said that number, which has soared in recent years, made it impossible for the firearms bureau to "supervise them and see that they are abiding by the laws."
The NRA said it would oppose any effort by the administration to increase gun dealer registration fees beyond those in the Brady bill.