News From Firearms Forum - NRA-ILA FAX ALERT

news

NRA-ILA FAX ALERT VOL. 6, NO. 32 8/20/99 RENO RANT II Continuing from last week^s FAX Alert lead story (Vol. 6, No. 31), where we reported on Attorney General Janet Reno^s call for additional restrictions on our rights, this week, the AG added an additional regulation to her "wish list," calling for mandatory testing requirements for the lawful purchase of firearms. On CNN^s "Late Edition" (8/15/99), Reno stated, "I^d have them take a written and manual test demonstrating that they know how to safely and...lawfully use it under state law. And I would have a background check that would make sure they had evidenced the willingness and capacity to do so." Simply demonstrating the ability to operate a firearm does not ensure its lawful use, but the real question is: what criteria would the Attorney General set for this government-mandated test? If this Administration was serious about reducing gun crime and accidents (two separate issues), not only would it enforce existing laws against criminals, but it would join NRA in spending tens of millions of dollars on the one solution proven to reduce gun accidents -- gun education programs (two separate solutions). Perhaps it^s time Reno heeds her own words -- after being asked if the Justice Department would further investigate groups who appeared to be involved in illegal activity, she stated, "I don^t think we should go after somebody if there is no indication of criminal conduct." MEDIA ALERT The current issue of Newsweek (Aug. 23) contains a multi-page, multi-part feature dealing with the gun issue. While the editors deserve some credit for including an interview with NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre in which he discusses the fallacy of gun control reducing violence and the need to enforce existing laws, the magazine couldn^t resist zealously advocating "banning assault weapons for real," licensing gun owners, and registering all firearms. This story follows Newsweek^s recent refusal to publish a letter to the editor from ILA Executive Director James Jay Baker, which sought to set the record straight concerning the magazine^s gross exaggeration of gun-related homicides in the U.S. and other matters. Those who wish to make their views known to Newsweek on its coverage of gun-related issues may write them a letter to the editor at: Newsweek, 252 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-1894; or by E-mail to: Letters@newsweek.com. ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS This past Monday, CBS aired a news segment on yet another poll on the subject of guns and crime. Gun owners are all too familiar with the national news media^s pattern of conducting polls asking biased questions on guns immediately following acts of violence and using the skewed results to suggest widespread support for new restrictions on the Second Amendment. Remarkably, CBS^s recent poll was different in that many of the questions posed went beyond sound bites to determine what America truly think about gun control. Among the results: Only 14% of people polled believe that gun control can prevent violence with guns. When given the choice between new gun laws and better enforcement of existing laws, 56% of people said enforcement is the better way to reduce violent crime. Only 4% said gun control should be a top issue for the government. One question even gauged feelings about the NRA. Not surprising to us, the CBS poll showed NRA as very much in the mainstream of public opinion, as 48% of the people polled have a favorable opinion of NRA. That is up from a 1995 CBS poll that showed a 40% favorable rating. CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE? Readers of the FAX Alert may be surprised to read about the latest politician taking credit for "Project Exile." A Buffalo News article (8/10/99) quoted none other than Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), as saying, "Before Project Exile, committing a crime with an illegal gun could mean only a slap on the wrist. But now those wrists are slapped with handcuffs." While we are happy that Buffalo and Rochester will split $1 million under the program (it was Schumer, the article notes, who announced this funding), it is interesting that Congress^s leading gun banner is now touting his credentials as a "Project Exile" champion. It is our hope that anti-gunners like Sen. Schumer will abandon their calls to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens and work toward fully enforcing existing laws against criminals -- but we aren^t holding our breath. Incidentally, while other local stories mentioned NRA^s support for "Project Exile," the Buffalo News piece made no mention of NRA^s involvement with the program. McCAIN ON GUNS An August 17 Los Angeles Times piece highlights some confusing remarks by GOP presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). After a speech to the Anti-Defamation League, McCain told reporters, "Look, my dear friends, don^t think that gun control is the answer." So far, so good. When pressed for whether, as President, he would sign a bill banning "assault weapons," McCain^s response was a curt "No." Chalk another one up for the Senator. Later that day, though, McCain commented that, as a Senator, he would be open to voting for an "assault weapon" ban depending on the specifics. "I will be willing to consider any reasonable proposal." Of course, the question always is what one considers "reasonable." ILA IN IA Last Saturday, August 14, NRA-ILA sponsored an information table at the Iowa GOP Straw Poll. As you can imagine, at this gathering of some 25,000 political activists, we found many supporters of NRA-ILA and our work to protect the Second Amendment. In addition to distributing thousands of "I^m the NRA & I Vote" buttons and bumper stickers, we signed up some new members (including a new Life Member!) and recruited more than 100 new members to our volunteer Grassroots Network! NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA: CALIFORNIA AG DROPS APPEAL ON GUN REGISTRATION DECISION Attorney General Bill Lockyer decided on Tuesday to drop an appeal of a suit brought against the California Department of Justice by Handgun Control, Inc. Former Attorney General Dan Lungren appealed a July 1998 ruling by a San Francisco superior court judge that he violated the state^s Assault Weapons Control Act (AWCA) by allowing the registration of firearms after the March 1992 deadline prescribed in the law. The decision by AG Lockyer to drop the appeal paves the way for the Department of Justice to proceed with plans to force gun owners, who both registered firearms after the deadline AND who abided by the law as interpreted by the Attorney General, to turn them in. Lockyer intends to ask the state legislature to appropriate funds to compensate those who have turned in their firearms. Gun owners who are affected by the Attorney General^s decision will receive notification of their status from the DOJ and will have 90 days to comply. Those who do not comply within that time period will be identified from the registration list concerning the confiscation of their firearm(s). For more information on how you may be affected, please contact the California Department of Justice at (916) 227-3694. CALIFORNIA HANDGUN BAN ON THE MOVE The California Assembly passed Senate Bill 15 on Thursday on a 43 - 26 vote, with 11 Assemblymen not voting. SB 15 now goes back to the Senate for a vote to concur with amendments made in the Assembly. The bill -- which, to date, is possibly the most ominous proposal California gun owners have faced -- would require manufacturers to submit all handguns for laboratory "safety" testing before they can be sold in the state. By doing so, SB 15 would ban the retail sale of most used handguns made in the past 50 years. The bill would also outlaw the sale of a wide variety of new handguns that cannot be tested or lack a specific feature. It is critical that you contact your Senator at (916) 445-4311 and urge him to oppose SB 15. Also, contact Governor Gray Davis to express your opposition to this legislation. When contacting Governor Davis, you may call him at his capital office at (916) 445-2841, or at one of his field offices in Fresno (209) 445-5295, Irvine (714) 553-3566, Los Angeles (213) 897-0322, Riverside (909) 680-6860, San Diego (619) 525-4641, or San Francisco (415) 703-2218.

Uploaded: 8/21/1999