============================================================ N R A G R A S S F I R E ! ------------------------------------------------------------ The Newsletter for NRA-ILA Volunteers July 1995 Vol. 1, No. 7 ============================================================ HEARINGS ON FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ABUSES THIS MONTH A special U.S. House of Representatives' joint subcommittee of the Judiciary and Government Reform and Oversight committees is conducting investigations into the government tactics that led to civilian and law enforcement officer deaths at Waco and Ruby Ridge. Reps. Bill McCollum (R-Fla.) and Bill Zeliff (R-N.H.), co-chair the joint subcommittee, and have scheduled hearings for mid-July. According to Rep. McCollum, the hearings will be "an exhaustive examination of the Waco tragedy so that at the conclusion of the hearings, the American public will feel they have all the answers." Echoing Mr. McCollum's sentiments, Rep. Zeliff assured that Congress "will come to these hearings with an open mind, yet we intend to be tough, credible and fair." The House hearings are scheduled to last several days, and while Senate hearings are also being planned, no dates have been set yet. We'll keep you posted as to any hearing date changes or other new developments! SENATE PASSES S. 735 -- COUNTER-TERRORISM BILL During the week of June 5, the U.S. Senate passed S. 735, its version of anti-terrorism legislation, -- without the restrictive "gun control" provisions proposed by President Clinton and his anti-gun allies in the Senate. These proposals called for the end of the Civilian Marksmanship program, ammo bans, and firearms registration (just to name a few), and each fell by the wayside or never even came up for a vote! While Senate Republicans eliminated Clinton's anti-terrorism proposals that threatened other civil liberties, the Senate later added in scaled-back measures giving new "roving wiretap" authority to federal agencies to monitor conversations of suspected terrorists on different telephones, expanding the use of the military in cases involving chemical or biological agents, and requiring tracer elements in some explosives. Thanks to NRA, however, the Senate voted 90-0 not to include these microscopic identifiers, known as "taggants," in black and smokeless powder. We are outraged that the consideration of this bill, that was supposed to focus on terrorism, was used as an attempt by anti-gun Senators to take away freedom, rather than protect it. Moreover, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has promised that the defeated amendments which threaten our basic gun rights will be resurfacing in coming weeks. Rest assured NRA will be ready to address all remaining concerns. HOUSE GEARS UP FOR FLOOR FIGHT ON ANTI-TERRORISM BILL On Tuesday, June 20th, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 1710 -- its counter-terrorism bill. H.R. 1710 awaits final floor action by the House, which will occur in the next few weeks. Prior to the June 20th vote, the Committee rolled back an attempt by Rep. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to give the Attorney General broad powers to ban bullets commonly used for hunting, target shooting and self-defense. Make no mistake, however, Schumer and Company will be back with their proposals and they'll use every parliamentary procedure at their disposal to try to include these previously failed measures in the final version of the bill. What can gun owners expect? An attempt by Mr. Schumer to insert the bullet ban back in the bill and possibly an effort to place "taggants" in gunpowder. And speaking of taggants: NRA's concern over taggants is safety. The chemicals in these small plastic tags, when applied to gun powder, can create an accidental fire hazard. Introducing a fire hazard into the homes of millions of Americans doesn't counter terrorism, it counters public safety. NRA takes no position on taggants in explosives or fertilizer. Like the Senate-passed S. 735, H.R. 1710 eases restrictions on the placement of "roving wiretaps" and permits the military to assist in terrorism cases involving chemical or biological agents. Rest assured, NRA lobbyists are working hard to ensure that no provision of H.R. 1710 negatively impacts the rights of gun owners. We will keep you informed of any new developments. Action Item: Please contact your U.S. Representative again and urge him to oppose any "gun control" amendment offered to H.R. 1710 on the House floor. Encourage your family and friends to call as well! LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD CO-SPONSORS Although debate on H.R. 1488 -- the bill to repeal the Clinton gun and magazine ban -- isn't likely to occur until mid-fall, NRA-ILA continues to recruit co-sponsors to the bill. The more co-sponsors we get, the more we're guaranteed debate on this critical measure this year! Action Alert: please continue to contact your U.S. Representative and urge him to become a co- sponsor of H.R. 1488. If your Representative is already a co- sponsor, be sure to thank him, and urge him to lobby his fellow lawmakers to do the same! DE-FUNDING OF DCM ATTACHED TO DEFENSE SPENDING BILL An amendment by U.S. Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-Ohio) to replace the Civilian Marksmanship Program with an independent, non-profit federal corporation was accepted to the House Defense Authorization bill. This newly formed non-profit corporation will be able to solicit funds from non-federal sources. According to Gillmor, this will eliminate the need for federal funding. More to follow soon. REP. YOUNG INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT HUNTING ON REFUGES On May 18th, Rep. Don Young (R-Alas.), with 18 of his colleagues, introduced H.R. 1675 -- a bill to safeguard hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent activities on national wildlife refuge lands. H.R. 1675 would amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act by elevating these activities to a "primary purpose" of the system. Currently, these activities are treated as "secondary uses" which has made them vulnerable to budget cuts and lawsuits challenging the legitimacy of hunting on refuges. Upon introduction of H.R. 1675, Rep. Young stated that the refuge system needs the "enthusiastic support of the American people who finance the system not only with the payment of their tax dollars, but also by purchasing Duck Stamps and paying excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment." NRA-ILA Conservation, Wildlife and Natural Resources Director Susan Lamson recently testified in support of H.R. 1675 before the House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. Full committee action on H.R. 1675 is expected in mid-July. Action Alert: Please call your U.S Representative and urge him to sign on as a co-sponsor to H.R. 1675. IRS TO INVESTIGATE NRA The IRS is preparing to undertake a major examination of NRA's financial returns and statements. Unlike ordinary audits that affect thousands of Americans every year, the NRA will be subjected to a Coordinated Examination Program (CEP), that can last between two and three years! During a CEP, IRS agents will become part of the every-day corporate life of the Association. Why the intense scrutiny? Whatever the reason, NRA is confident in its reportings. And while the anti-gun media is again trying to stir up controversy regarding this non-issue, we are certain the IRS will find that NRA has complied with all laws and has faithfully completed our tax returns. CLINTON'S LINE IN THE SAND On Thursday, June 22, President Clinton spoke at a $1,000-a- plate fundraiser in New Jersey. When the President spoke of his commitment to keeping his gun ban on the books, he alluded to former New Jersey Governor, Jim Florio, who lost his 1993 re- election bid in large part because of his own gun ban. Mr. Clinton noted, "Jim Florio gave up his governorship for it (semi- auto ban), and if I have to give up the White House for it, I'll do it." Well Mr. President, we'll be glad to grant your wishes in 1996 if given the chance! CLINTON "GUN CONTROL" ADS: "IT'S NOT ABOUT POLITICS" That's what President Clinton says in his new political ads (unveiled on June 27th) glamorizing his 1994 gun and magazine ban. But truth be told, it's all about politics -- and poor performance. The Clinton gun ban masks Clinton's poor track record in rounding up real assault weapons -- namely, armed criminals. Federal weapons prosecutions plummeted 23% in the first two years of the Clinton presidency! Clinton is fighting H.R. 1488 which not only repeals his gun ban, but requires the U.S. Attorney General to do her job -- by establishing a task force in every U.S. Attorney's office to prosecute criminals. NOTABLE QUOTABLE Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) had some interesting words to offer with respect to NRA members. But wait just a minute -- it's not what you might think! In referring to a recent NRA fundraiser that has received much attention recently, Sen. Biden noted, "The NRA puts out an ill-advised letter, and all of a sudden everyone in the NRA is a 'thug,' a 'bum.' The vast majority of NRA members in my state are honest, decent citizens." ACTION AT THE STATE LEVEL Even as state legislative sessions wind down for the year, pro-gun bills are becoming law in the states -- making 1995 one of the most successful pro-gun years in history. Enclosed you'll find a special NRA-ILA "Mid-Term Report," that will tell you exactly what pro-gun bills passed, failed, and are now pending in state legislatures across the country. For an update on legislation currently pending before your state or local governing body, please call NRA-ILA at 1-800-392-8683. NEW SURVEY SHOWS SUPPORT FOR RIGHT TO CARRY A June telephone survey by the Tarrance Group has found that support for gun rights remains strong, despite the media's attempt to link firearms ownership rights to the tragic Oklahoma City bombing. The poll of 1,000 registered voters found that 65% support the right of law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for self-defense. Further, 84% believe the individual criminal should be held legally responsible for the misuse of guns -- not law-abiding gun owners. CDC AT IT AGAIN Once again funded with tax dollars by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Arthur Kellermann has released yet another "study" that concludes guns are not effective for self-defense. If you'll recall, Kellermann is the author of the much touted, yet highly suspect "study" that claimed for every criminal killed with a gun in self-defense, 43 family members are slain. Like his previous work, this so-called "study" was flawed from the outset. First, even by his own admission, Dr. Kellermann's sample of only 198 Atlanta households was too small to yield any conclusive results. Additionally, Kellermann never bothered to mention in how many of these 198 households a gun was even present. Despite his attempt to discredit Professor Gary Kleck's research showing that people use firearms for self- protection more than 2.5 million times per year, Kellermann's "study" actually found that in the instances where individuals used firearms for self-defense, no one was injured! Unfortunately, Dr. Kellermann's research will be published in both the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine. D.C. GUN CRACKDOWN A special team of Washington, D.C., police officers and BATF agents will begin a crackdown on illegal firearms activities in the nation's capital. U.S. Attorney Eric Holder, who's spearheading the effort, dubbed Operation Ceasefire, says these special squads will be targeting vehicles that are in violation of safety standards i.e., operating with improper lights or heavily tinted windows. They will also target pedestrians who may fit a specific profile of an individual likely to be carrying a gun. BATF agents will enter any information about the seized firearms into two different local and national databases that track firearms. Could it be that officials have conceded that DC's handgun ban, which has been in place for almost 20 years, hasn't stopped the criminal misuse of firearms? AMMO BUST A BUST It seems the seizure of 75 million rounds of ammunition by federal authorities last month has unravelled. According to U.S. Customs officials, the May 3 seizure of 75 million rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition was the largest impoundment of ammunition in U.S. history. The only problem: the confiscation was made on the grounds that the ammunition was illegally imported from China, when in fact the ammunition was actually legally imported from Russia! The 75 million rounds will be returned to Eagle Exim, the importer of the ammunition. DEATH KNELL FOR DEATH CLOCK They've pulled the plug on the three-story tall "death clock," that adorned Times Square in New York City for the past year. According to a June 21, New York Times story, the so-called "death clock," which "tracked" the number of firearm fatalities using a questionable statistical formula, has "quietly" disappeared from its perch at Broadway and 47th Street. Incidentally, the financier of the "death clock" project is anti- gun activist Robert Brennan, who along with his brokerage firm, was found by a Federal Court to have conducted "a massive and continuing fraud" on his customers, and ordered to pay a $71.5 million restitution. AUGUST GRASSROOTS SEMINARS Help ensure a repeat performance of 1994's election successes by attending an NRA-ILA Grassroots/Election Seminar! These seminars discuss how we can elect pro-gun lawmakers, political strategies for 1995 and 1996, and up-to-date information on legislative activities in your state and the U.S. Congress. We'll provide you with a variety of election-action materials and free working luncheon. And best of all, each seminar is absolutely free! Below, you'll find the seminar schedule for August. For more information, or to register, call NRA-ILA at 1- 800-392-8683. Saturday, August 12 Shreveport, LA Shreveport Sheraton Hotel 1419 East 70th Street LOOKING FOR LEADERS The 1996 elections are right around the corner! As we proved in 1994, the voting power of gun owners makes a world of difference. Pro-gun candidates can only win if they have the campaign support of local NRA members and gun owners who are willing to volunteer a portion of their time to help elect pro- gun lawmakers to office. These individuals, however, need a leader to show them what's entailed when volunteering for a campaign. The campaign needs a committed volunteer leader who can get people to a scheduled event, and help get out the vote on election day. And the gun lobby needs to make sure the candidate knows who helped him win office. Enter the Election Volunteer Coordinator program! As the Election Volunteer Coordinator for your district, you'll be the liaison between the pro-gun candidate's campaign and his gun-owning community. You'll work directly with the campaign to find out what needs to be done to get the candidate elected, be it walking precincts, stuffing envelopes, or hosting a fundraiser. You'll assemble individuals into an organized team of volunteers, and utilize the resources right in your community -- gun clubs, shooting ranges, and gun shops. You'll help register voters and put together neighborhood events, and other activities that need to be done to elect pro-gun candidates to office. If this sounds like a lot of work, it can be -- but the rewards can be monumental! If you have some campaign experience, coordination and delegation skills, and the desire and interest in developing a solid relationship with your lawmakers, this is the volunteer assignment for you! For more information on this program, please call NRA-ILA at 1-800-392-8683. Copyright 1995 NRA Grassfire NRA Institute for Legislative Action Fairfax, VA 22030 ------------------------------------------------------------ NRA-ILA MID-TERM REPORT: STRIKING SUCCESS IN THE STATES At the half-way point of 1995, state after state has showcased an unprecedented level of pro-gun activity. Whereas in previous years, gun owners struggled to prevent anti-gun bills from passing, so far in 1995, gun owners have achieved a startling success rate at either passing pro-gun measures, or further advancing pro-gun proposals through the legislative process. This success is directly attributable to your active participation in the 1994 elections. Listed below is a brief synopsis of the gains gun owners have made from January to June this year at the state level. Right To Carry Overview In 1994, four states passed laws either establishing a "shall issue" carry permit system or reforming existing statutes: Alaska, Arizona, Tennessee and Wyoming. Thus far in 1995, seven more states have passed right to carry legislation either establishing a "shall issue" carry permit system or reforming existing statutes: Arkansas (signed by Governor Jim Guy Tucker), Florida (became law without Governor Chiles' signature), Idaho (signed by Governor Phil Batt), in Oklahoma (signed by Governor Frank Keating), Texas (signed by Governor George W. Bush), Utah (signed by Governor Michael Leavitt), and Virginia (signed by Governor George Allen). In Louisiana, an NRA-supported right to carry reform bill passed the legislature, but will be vetoed by the Governor. We'll be back in 1997 to pass this critical measure! Right to carry legislation is currently pending in seven states -- Massachusetts (pending in Executive Committee), Michigan (introduced in the House Judiciary Committee), North Carolina (passed House, and Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees, and will soon be debated on the Senate floor), Nevada (passed Senate, pending in Assembly Judiciary Committee), New York (passed Senate, pending in Assembly Codes Committee), Ohio (pending in Senate Judiciary Committee) and Wisconsin (in drafting stage, will be introduced this summer). State Firearms Preemption Overview In 1994, two states passed legislation clarifying and strengthening state preemption of firearms laws: Pennsylvania and Indiana. Indiana's law contained a grandfather clause which allowed gun bans in Gary and East Chicago to remain in place. Utah also enacted preemption for one year, establishing a Governor's Task Force to study what, if any, authority local municipalities should retain in the area of firearms regulation. Both the Task Force and the legislature's Judiciary Interim Committee recommended passage of permanent preemption legislation that would wipe out waiting periods in Salt Lake City and other municipalities. Four states have passed legislation so far in 1995 establishing a state firearms preemption statute or clarifying and strengthening existing law: Georgia (signed by Governor Zell Miller), Oregon (awaiting signature of Governor John Kitzhaber, who is currently undecided on whether to sign the bill into law). In Utah, the state legislature passed legislation making the one-year preemption law permanent. It was signed by Governor Mike Leavitt. Preemption also passed in Wyoming (signed by Governor Jim Geringer). State firearms preemption legislation is pending in two states -- North Carolina (passed House, pending in Senate Judiciary Committee) and Wisconsin (pending in Assembly Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee and the Senate State Government Operations & Corrections Committee). In Illinois, preemption legislation passed the House, but died in the Senate. We will come back next year and work to pass this much-needed reform! Instant Check Overview In 1994, computerized "instant-check" systems were implemented in five states, exempting prospective handgun purchasers from the onus of the Brady Act's five-day waiting period: Colorado, Idaho, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Utah. So far in 1995, three states have passed instant check legislation, overturning state or local waiting periods or the Brady Act waiting period. Georgia (signed into law by Governor Zell Miller; this law also exempts handgun purchasers from the Brady five-day wait), Oregon (pending signature by Governor John Kitzhaber, who is currently undecided on whether to sign the bill into law) and Pennsylvania (signed into law by Governor Tom Ridge). Instant check is pending in two states -- North Carolina (passed House Judiciary I and House Finance Committees, and is currently pending in the House Appropriations Committee) and Ohio (passed House Judiciary Committee, pending on House floor). Shooting Range Protection In Maine, the Governor has signed into law NRA-backed shooting range protection legislation. In Minnesota, NRA- supported shooting range protection language was deleted from another bill in conference committee just before the legislature adjourned for the session. In North Carolina, a shooting range protection bill has passed out of one House Committee and has been referred to a second House Committee for consideration. In Oregon, an NRA-backed shooting range protection bill has passed the legislature and been sent to the Governor for his signature. In Tennessee, Governor Don Sundquist has signed into law an NRA- backed shooting range protection bill. In Washington, NRA- supported range protection legislation passed the House, but was killed in a Senate Committee. In Wyoming, the Governor has signed into law NRA-supported range protection legislation. Sportsmen's Protection In Hawaii, the Governor has signed into law NRA-backed sportsmen's protection legislation. In Nebraska, the Governor has signed into law NRA-backed sportsmen's protection legislation Now, all 50 states have a hunter harassment or sportsmen's protection law on the books. =+=+= This information is presented as a service to the Internet community by the NRA/ILA. Some useful URLs: http://WWW.NRA.Org, gopher://GOPHER.NRA.Org, wais://WAIS.NRA.Org, ftp://FTP.NRA.Org, mailto:LISTPROC@NRA.Org (Send the word help as the body of a message) Information can also be obtained by connecting directly to the NRA-ILA GUN-TALK BBS at (703) 934-2121. NRA.org is maintained by Mainstream.net mailto:info@mainstream.net