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 Feinstein Introduces Magazine Ban in Wake of Arkansas Shooting
                    by Gun Owners of America
      8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA  22151
             (703)321-8585, http://www.gunowners.org
                     (Friday, April 3, 1998)
     Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is back.  On Tuesday, she
introduced a bill that would supposedly "close the loopholes" in
an earlier magazine ban which she sponsored-- and which was
enacted in 1994.  Sen. Feinstein made her niche in the gun debate
four years ago when she successfully pushed through the
unconstitutional ban on gun magazines (manufactured after 1994)
that can hold over 10 rounds.  Her new bill (S. 1887) would ban
ALL magazines over 10 rounds, irrespective of when they were
manufactured.  [A companion bill (HR 3609) has been introduced in
the House by Colorado Democrat Diana DeGette.]
     Proponents of the ban point to the fact that the two
suspects in the Arkansas shooting had four large ammunition
clips.  Passing such a ban, they claim, would stop future
"killing sprees."  Never mind the obvious fact that there are
thousands upon thousands of such magazines already in existence.
Passing such a ban would reduce these items to a black market
existence, but certainly not make them unavailable.  Furthermore,
these magazines are protected by the Second Amendment and are a
valuable asset to honest gun owners-- just ask the merchants in
Los Angeles who successfully used high capacity magazines to
defend their families and stores during the 1992 mob riots.
     Ironically, a shotgun can pump out more projectiles than can
several high capacity magazines. Hunters beware!  If you think
they're never going after your Winchester Model 12 shotgun or
your Remington 1100, then think again.  Both of these shotguns
can fire six shells-- each containing twelve .33 caliber pellets.
Author Dave Kopel has noted that the above shotguns can fire
these seventy-two projectiles in 2.5 seconds-- "each one capable
of causing injury or death."  By contrast, he says, an AKS would
take about a minute to fire forty aimed shots (or perhaps twice
that many without aiming).
     ACTION:  Urge your Senators (1-800-504-0031 or 202-224-3121)
to avoid legislating based on the lopsided coverage of gun issues
in the news.  Moreover, encourage them to stay clear of any
knee-jerk reactions related to the Arkansas tragedy.  Since the
shooting, many legislators are calling for "lock-up your safety"
trigger locks, which would make it increasingly difficult to
quickly use a firearm in self-defense.
Congress looking to reverse Clinton's Import Ban on Semi-autos
     The Clinton administration still remains mum over whether to
permanently ban several types of semi-automatics from being
imported into the country.  Clinton imposed a 120-day moratorium
last November, but the deadline has since passed with no final
word from the administration.  There is an effort in Congress to
defund any administrative attempt at keeping such firearms out of
the country.  If such a legislative "rider" were placed on an
appropriation bill, the Clinton moratorium would, in effect, be
repealed.  GOA will keep you updated as more information becomes
available.
Incumbent Protection Bill goes down in flames!
     On Monday, the House rejected the Incumbent Protection plan
by a whopping 337-74 margin.  If passed, this legislation could
have severely "chilled" the free speech of groups like Gun Owners
of America that represent your gun rights.
     According to press reports, the Republican leadership
crafted the bill, and the debate, in such a way that it "went
down to pre-planned defeat."  Democrats were furious, denouncing
the whole process as a "sham" and a "cynical maneuver."  Not to
be outdone, they have filed a "discharge petition"-- a
parliamentary procedure that would, if successful, allow them to
bypass the traditional committee process and secure votes on the
Incumbent Protection bills they support.
     Over 185 Representatives have already signed the discharge
petition; and thus, only about 30 more signatures are needed to
bring up the Democratic versions of the Incumbent Protection
bills.  Please stay tuned.
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