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			    GENERAL-RKBA Digest 307
Topics covered in this issue include:
  1) FAXALERT: The Bigger Clinton Gun Ban by NRA Alerts 
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Topic No. 1
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 21:16:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: NRA Alerts 
To: general-rkba-real.nra
Subject: FAXALERT: The Bigger Clinton Gun Ban
Message-ID: 
                         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
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End of GENERAL-RKBA Digest 307
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