FRANK SESNO, CNN ANCHOR: Two days before Washington's big Million Mom March in support of gun control, there are new proposals today to protect children from accidental shootings. Texas Governor George W. Bush says he wants to give free trigger locks to gun owners in his state, promising to take the program nationwide if he is elected president. Also today, President Clinton is announcing new federal grants for research and development into so-called "smart gun" technology. CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett joins us now with more. Hello, Major.</s>MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Frank. Well, with today's announcements, we can see the gun control debate in this country moving off Capitol Hill, where there's been legislative stalemate for months, and moving into the presidential election and presidential campaign. The White House announcement on "smart gun" technology, while not offering a lot in new money -- $600,000 -- will expedite efforts to develop guns that can only be used by the owner. Clearly, Governor Bush's move to say that all Texans will be allowed to obtain a trigger lock if they so choose trying to deal with the issue of gun control that has sometimes cost him and his campaign some difficulty with swing and moderate voters. While campaigning in Ohio today for congressional approval of free trade with China, President Clinton said he hopes this weekend's Million Mom March will persuade both Congress and those involved in the presidential election to hear the voices in the gun control debate.</s>WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They can ignore the evidence, that common-sense prevention won't cost any law- abiding citizen a gun, but will save lives. But this Sunday, they will not be able to ignore the fact that the voices of more than a million moms across America will be demanding action.</s>GARRETT: There will be some other voices Sunday demanding action on the law-enforcement front. The Second Amendment Sisters will also take their message to the capital on Sunday, saying that better enforcement, not more gun control, is the solution to gun violence in America. Major Garrett, CNN, reporting live from the White House.
President Clinton Proposes Federal Grants to Research 'Smart Gun' Technology