Please distribute far and wide.
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NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
555 CAPITOL MALL, SUITE 455
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
(916) 446-2455

August 16, 1999

Chief Bernard Parks
Los Angeles Police Department
150 N. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Chief Parks:

This letter is in response to your recent comments concerning the 
confiscation of "assault rifles" and "Saturday Night Specials."

I appreciate the candor and clarity of your proposal. Our opponents 
usually hide behind the obfuscation of slogans that call for 
"reasonable gun control". We have always believed that the real 
intent of legislation like Senator Polanco's SB 15, which would ban 
so called "unsafe handguns", is confiscation. As one of the leading 
advocates for SB 15, your comments do much to clarify Senator 
Polanco's intent.

Given the power of your office, I assume that your beliefs will be 
translated into policy for your department.

   - Will you direct your officers to seize firearms that you find 
     offensive?

   - If any of your officers, including SWAT, Narcotics, etc. carry 
     handguns that are covered by SB 15 - will you direct them to 
     change firearms?

   - Will you use the Department of Justices' Automated Firearms 
     System to determine if police officer candidates own any of 
     the offending firearms?

   - Will you, through whatever means available to you, i.e. 
     withholding promotions, etc. pressure your officers and their 
     families to relinquish, or otherwise dispose of any "Saturday 
     Night Special" or "assault weapon" they own?

Some of the above actions might seem extreme, but your zeal appears 
genuine. I will watch with interest as the depth and breadth of your 
commitment manifests itself.

Sincerely,

S.C. Helsley
California State Liaison

cc:    Governor Gray Davis
       Members, California State Legislature
       Los Angeles Times
       Los Angeles Police Protective League