Many items are currently for sale online, ranging from a hubcap off Ted Bundy's 1968 Volkswagen Beetle to a Charles Manson fingerprint chart and a Zodiac Killer wanted poster.

One murderabilia site is

offering -- for $1900 -- a four-page letter Ridgway wrote three weeks after he was

arrested for the notorious Green River killings.

The top bid at another website has reached more than $1000 for what is reputed to be Ted Bundy's last Christmas card. Some killers willingly participate in the sales, while others are duped by dealers into giving away drawings, letters and other personal items.

"The families of these killers' victims can be assured the Federal Government believes this is a sick, sick practice," Mr Reichert said.

"In law enforcement, we personally see how crime affects victims and murder is the most heinous crime.

'The families of these victims experience enormous, life-consuming pain after losing a loved one and the exploitation of the crime by a criminal is unacceptable."

As a sheriff, Mr Reichert at one point interviewed Bundy -- who was then on Florida's death row -- seeking insights into who was killing young women and dumping their bodies along the Green River in Washington state.

Ridgway eventually confessed to murdering 48 women.

Mr Reichert said he would not be surprised to see Ridgway try to profit from sales of his personal items.

"Ridgway is a guy who would take advantage of every opportunity to make his star rise," Mr Reichert said.

Bundy, who grew up in Tacoma, Washington, was executed 18 years ago for killing two Florida State University sorority sisters and a 12-year-old girl.

He confessed to 40 murders, but the real number may never be known.

Along with Manson, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer and David "Son of Sam" Berkowitz, Bundy items are among the most sought-after in murderabilia.

Mr Reichert's Bill is similar to one introduced in the Senate earlier this year prohibiting inmates from using the mail to sell personal items.

Five states -- Texas, California, New Jersey, Michigan and Utah -- have restricted sales.

Mr Reichert said he expects Congress to approve legislation before the end of the year.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22496930-1702,00.html