-=Continued from previous post=- 
              HCI SUIT COULD PUT GUN OWNERS IN JAIL
         Welcome to California...Now turn in your guns
                                
To those who say it "will never happen here," meet William Doss.
Mr. Doss is your typical NRA member: a family man who served his
country, a gun owner, and a law-abiding citizen. In fact, so law-
abiding was Mr. Doss that when he decided in 1995 to move his
family from southern Florida to California, he took extreme
precautions to ensure that he could legally bring his guns,
including his SKS rifle, with him. 
Mr. Doss didn't just look up the California law on his own or
consult an attorney, either. He went straight to the source: the
California Department of Justice. And he didn't just telephone the
state's DOJ, he wrote to them, too. He included intricate drawings
of his rifle and described every feature in detail. Sure enough,
shortly thereafter, he received a signed letter from an official
within the Firearms Licensing and Permits Unit confirming that his
particular rifle was not considered an "assault weapon" in
California, and was not subject to the state's restrictive semi-
automatic gun ban.     
Confident that he had done all he could possibly do to ensure his
compliance with California law, Mr. Doss brought his family, and
his SKS, to the state just a few months later. 
But this story does not end there. In November, 1997, Mr. Doss was
informed by the California Department of Justice that his SKS is in
fact an "assault weapon," and because he did not own the rifle
prior to June 1, 1989, it "must be relinquished to a local police
or sheriff's department." In short, despite the assurances he
received in writing from government officials, despite his well-
documented efforts to comply in every way with the law, Mr. Doss
must now turn in his rifle or run the risk of being prosecuted like
a common criminal.  
Unfortunately, countless other law-abiding Californians now find
themselves in similar circumstances. NRA-ILA is doing all we can to
assist the victims of this injustice. Watch for more details on
this matter in future issues of Grassfire.
                      AGREEMENT REACHED ON 
                    BACKGROUND CHECKS IN OHIO
Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery (R) and the U.S. Justice
Department have struck a deal to settle their dispute over
conducting background checks on handgun buyers. In the wake of the
Supreme Court's decision invalidating the background check portion
of the federal Brady Act, Attorney General Montgomery declared the
checks would be voluntary for prospective purchasers. Under the new
arrangement, background checks on purchasers who decline to consent
to the investigation will be conducted by the Franklin County
Sheriff's Department, which will be paid $5 for each check. As an
incentive, buyers who agree to have their background checked will
be allowed to pick-up their handguns in 48 hours, while all others
will have to wait five business days. 
                  PHILLY MAYOR MULLS OVER SUIT 
 
According to an article in the 1/8/97 issue of the Philadelphia
Inquirer, lawyers for Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell (D) have
prepared a lawsuit contending that the nation's gun industry has
created "a public nuisance by saturating Philadelphia with firearms
used by criminals." The suit would require firearms manufacturers
to reimburse the city for "millions of dollars...stemming from
guns," even down to "the cost of washing blood off streets." No
immediate action is anticipated on the suit, but you can expect the
anti-gun media to cover this story. Of course, the real message
being sent by even discussing such an outrageous idea is that
criminals are not responsible for their actions, but those who
manufacture a completely legal product are. What's next, suing
automobile manufacturers because criminals use cars to make a
speedy getaway?
             HUNTING & FISHING COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED
                        IN MICHIGAN SENATE
For the first time in history, a legislative committee dedicated to
hunting and fishing has been established. Officially known as the
"Hunting, Fishing and Agriculture Committee," this Senate committee
will be chaired by Senator Dave Jaye (R-Macomb County). Sen. Jaye
has a long record in support of sportsmen's rights. His family ran
a shooting range, and he has authored legislation penalizing animal
extremists who harass fishermen. Sen. Jaye has also been active in
convincing the Macomb gun board to allow most law-abiding county
residents to carry concealed firearms for self-defense.
Additionally, Sen. Jaye is promoting a 25-bill package to promote
hunting, fishing, and gun rights. Some of the highlights of Sen.
Jaye's legislative package include: right to carry, allowing
elevated tree stands for firearm hunting, expansion of the Canada
goose season, and allowance of the transportation of unloaded,
secured firearms by any means, to name just a few. "I am grateful
that Majority Leader Dick Posthumus is giving me and Michigan's
hunters, fishermen, and gun rights advocates this top priority,"
Sen. Jaye noted. 
          NATIONAL FIREARMS MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION LAUNCHED
NRA President Marion Hammer officially announced the commencement
of construction of the National Firearms Museum at NRA's National
Headquarters, with a targeted completion date of June 1998. Tracing
the history of firearms in America, the museum will be a
world-class, state-of-the-art facility that will cover
approximately 15,000 square feet. "This museum is more than a
window to America's history--it is a crucial link to our nation's
future, and to the survival of Second Amendment freedom in the
hearts and minds of future generations," said President Hammer.
Planned exhibits include the American Revolution, the American
West, and both world wars. Upon completion, the National Firearms
Museum will feature more firearms than any other museum in America!
           COUNTRY MUSIC SINGERS VISIT NRA HEADQUARTERS
During the Christmas season, recording artists "Blake and Brian"
stopped by NRA's Fairfax, Va., offices to meet with NRA leaders
over concerns many gun owners have with their new single, "The
Wish." Written as an autobiography of a handgun, the song has been
interpreted by many as giving credence to the emotionalism so often
perpetuated by the anti-Second Amendment community. During their
visit, the performers, Blake Weldon and Brian Gowan, both
emphasized to NRA President Marion Hammer their support for the
right to bear arms. In fact, "Blake and Brian" offered to use their
popularity in the country music community to help spread NRA's
message of safety, responsibility, and freedom. In a follow-up
letter to the singers, Ms. Hammer thanked Blake and Brian for their
visit, but reiterated NRA's concern that "The Wish" may be sending
the wrong message about responsible and enjoyable firearm
ownership. To read President Hammer's letter in its entirety, check
out the Grassroots site on NRA's homepage at http://www.nra.org.  
-=Continued in next post=-
...          ******** NOTE: THIS IS A FORWARDED MESSAGE ********
--- FMail 1.22
---------------