Sniper attacks return focus to national gun policy

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - The sniper shootings that have shaken the Washington region also are shattering the relative quiet on the gun policy front.

Since Al Gore's loss of the 2000 presidential election was chalked up in part to his support for gun control, national politicians have shown little appetite for the issue.

But with suburban Washingtonians fearful that they may wind up in the sniper's crosshairs, proposals to create a national ballistic fingerprint system to help law enforcement trace shell casings or guns found at crime scenes are gaining new attention.