NRA-ILA FAX ALERT 11250 Waples Mill Road * Fairfax, VA 22030 Phone: 1-800-392-8683 * Fax: 703-267-3918 * GROOTS@NRA.org Vol. 4, No. 43 10/24/97 THE BIGGER CLINTON GUN BAN As reported in Wednesday's Special FAX Alert, the Clinton- Gore Administration is planning to issue a directive to ban certain types of foreign-made firearms from coming into this country. We believe the White House will move to stop all commerce in certain semi-automatic firearms that conform in every way to the legal requirements set forth in both the Clinton Gun Ban of 1994 and the 1989 import ban. Sources also suggest that the directive will order the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to convene a study group to further narrow the scope of firearms that qualify for importation under the "sporting purposes" test. Given past action, a ban on all imported handguns is not unlikely. In response to this directive, Congressman Bob Barr (R-Ga.) held a press conference on Capitol Hill today with NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, NRA-ILA Executive Director Tanya K. Metaksa, and other pro-Second Amendment congressmen, including, Jim Barcia (D-Mich.), Pete Sessions (R-Tex.), Virgil Goode (D-Va.), and Wes Watkins (R-Okla.) "The Clinton Administration is introducing the Bigger Clinton Gun Ban of 1998 - still another prohibition that bans more guns and shows more hypocrisy than ever before," emphasized Mrs. Metaksa. She added, "From the White House to Handgun Control, Inc., every gun ban advocate in America is busy confirming everything NRA has ever said about the 1994 gun ban." Basically, that it's an ineffective cosmetic ban and that Clinton's efforts to ban guns in 1994 was only a precursor to bigger, more restrictive bans. All NRA members are encouraged to contact your U.S. Representative at (202)224-3121, to urge him to oppose the President's attempt to ban more semi-automatic firearms -- semi-autos that his 1994 ban previously ok'd! In the meantime, NRA-ILA will continue to update our members as we learn more about Clinton's latest attack on America's law-abiding gun owners. RIGHT TO CARRY -- WORKING IN THE STATES, NEEDED NATIONALLY Just as this FAX Alert recently reported the success rates of right to carry laws in Kentucky and Louisiana, newly-released statistics once again prove the critics wrong in their claim that allowing law-abiding citizens to carry handguns will result in increased crime. This time, the good news is from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The results - overwhelmingly positive! In the first year under concealed carry reform, 65,429 permits were issued, and only .06% were revoked. That means that 99.94% of permit holders continue to be law-abiding! "The people who get permits are unusually law-abiding," said Gary Kleck, Florida State criminologist was quoted as saying in the Virginian-Pilot (Oct. 7), adding, "I only wish the entire population had that low a rate of committing gun crimes." And while 31 states have carry laws similar to Virginia's, there still remains a patchwork of different statutes and restrictions among the 50 states as a whole. Therein lies the need for U.S. Congressional passage of H.R. 339, the national right to carry reciprocity bill. Currently, H.R. 339 has 63 co- sponsors, a number that has steadily increased during the last several months. Congressmen John Thune (R-S.D.), Phil English (R-Penn.), Bill Goodling (R-Penn), and John Shimkus (R-Ill.) are the latest to sign onto the bill as co-sponsors, and they deserve thanks for their commitment to self defense. Please call your U.S. Congressman at (202) 224-3121, and urge him to become a co- sponsor to H.R. 339, the bill which requires states to recognize other states' permits, just as they recognize the driver's licenses issued by other states. Also, calls should be made to both U.S. Senators as well, in support of S. 816, the Senate companion bill to H.R. 339, introduced by NRA Board Member Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho). A LOOK AT THE STATES FLORIDA: Congratulations to House District 58 gun owners who went to the polls and made the difference in Tuesday's special election! NRA-PVF-endorsed candidate Deborah Tamargo (R) surprised her opponent and political pundits alike by winning 58% of the vote in a district where money and the demographics appeared stacked against her. Also, pro-second amendment Congressman Mark Foley (R-16) is hosting town meetings this Saturday, Oct. 25. The first meeting will be held at the Haverhill Town Hall, in Haverhill, 4585 Charlotte St., from 10-11 a.m.; the second, at the Tequesta Village Hall, in Tequesta, 357 Tequesta Dr., from 12-1 p.m. Area members are encouraged to attend. MASSACHUSETTS: The Senate passed S.148, sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Jacques (D-Norfolk, Middlesex, Bristol), which seeks to ban "assault weapons." S.148 is now pending in the House, and members are encouraged to call your State Representative and urge him to oppose Senator Jacques' gun ban. VIRGINIA: Charlton Heston campaigned across Virginia this week with gubernatorial candidate Jim Gilmore (R). Meanwhile, Gilmore's opponent was busy picking up the endorsements of HCI and Jim and Sarah Brady. Be sure to check out the election insert inside this month's NRA magazine. Also, NRA members in Northern Virginia are encouraged to call the campaign of pro-gun Sen. Mark Earley (R), candidate for Attorney General, at (703)246-9790, to assist the campaign during these final days before the Nov. 4th election. WASHINGTON: During the final two weekends before Election Day, WeCARE will be walking neighborhoods, distributing literature in opposition to I-676. Call WeCARE at (425) 454-4915 to find out where and when you can help. =+=+=+=+ This information is provided as a service of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA. This and other information on the Second Amendment and the NRA is available at: http://WWW.NRA.Org