Date: 19 Jul 96 17:27:59 EDT
From: Erich Pratt 
Subject: GOA: More on Dole and Gun Control
                     Dole Remains Entrenched
      -- Says America should "keep the assault weapons ban"
                    by Gun Owners of America
      8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA  22151
                  (703)321-8585, fax: 321-8408
     (Friday, July 19) -- On Larry King Live this week, former
Senator Bob Dole continued his private war against the gun owners
of this country.  On July 15, Dole stated that, "My view is the
[assault weapon ban] is moot.  Just keep it.  Keep the assault
weapon ban."(1)  He then went on to plug the instant
[registration] check as the alternative to repealing the gun ban.
     As stated in earlier alerts, however, the instant
registration check is just another form of gun control.  Asking
citizens to prove their innocence before they exercise a
Constitutional right is anathema to the Constitution.  Moreover,
once officials enter the name into a computer to run a background
check on a potential gun buyer, there are no guarantees that gun
owners names will not be misused.  Certainly, this country should
learn something from the recent "Filegate" flap.
     ANTI-GUNNER AS A VP PICK?  There were other anti-gun tremors
in the Dole campaign this week.  The Washington Times quoted one
Dole aide this week as saying that Pennsylvania Governor Tom
Ridge "is the top horse at the moment" for getting the
Vice-Presidential nod from Dole.  This should be of tremendous
concern to gun owners.
     In May of 1994, then Rep. Tom Ridge teamed up with President
Bill Clinton, Sarah Brady (HCI) and Rep. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
to pass the semi-auto gun and magazine ban.  By casting his vote
for the gun ban in a narrow 216 to 214 loss for America's gun
owners, Ridge's one vote can arguably be blamed for its passage
and subsequent inclusion in the Clinton crime bill of 1994.
     In August of 1994, after GOA led a coalition of grassroots
activists which nearly defeated the Clinton crime bill, Ridge
continued his opposition to America's gun owners.  He voted for
the rule to bring the crime bill and its gun ban to the floor for
a vote.  (Ridge was one of only 42 Republicans to do so.)  He
then voted for final passage of the crime bill -- one of only 46
Republicans to do so.
     In the Spring of 1995, Sarah Brady teamed up with newly
elected Gov. Tom Ridge to push one of Pennsylvania's most
restrictive state gun control laws in a long time -- Act 17.  As
Pennsylvania's Governor, Ridge presided over the passage of Act
17, and then signed it into law.  GOA opposed this bill from its
inception and teamed up with several pro-gun state organizations
to lead the national charge against the bill.  Act 17 registered
and taxed long gun buyers and placed other restrictions on
Pennsylvanians' gun rights.
     DOLE CAMP PICKS ANTI-GUNNER TO GIVE KEYNOTE ADDRESS.  Also
this week, anti-gun Rep. Susan Molinari (R-NY) was picked to give
the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in
August.  Rep. Molinari voted for the Brady bill, for the
semi-auto ban, and for the Clinton crime and government terror
bills.  Molinari even carries the same grade as another anti -gun
colleague from New York, Charles Schumer.  Molinari has voted
wrong in about 90% of the gun votes in this Congress.
     All these anti-gun rumblings from the Dole camp come as no
surprise.  GOA has been pointing out Bob Dole's anti-gun record
for quite some time, and has been on the front lines detailing
how he introduced (and voted for) the "Dole-Metzenbaum"
compromise in 1991 that provided for waiting periods and for
background checks on ALL firearms; and how in 1993, he both
helped the Brady bill pass and voted for the crime bill which
contained the semi-auto ban; and how in 1995 and 1996, he voted
for the government terror bill.
     Actions speak louder than words.  If a candidate, and those
defending him, say he's pro-gun, one must always cut through the
rhetoric and look at the candidates actions.  [GOA has a fact
sheet entitled "Bob Dole and Gun Control" which can be faxed to
you.  Simply fax GOA a request to receive this copy of Bob Dole's
record.  The fact sheet is fully documented and footnoted.  Be
sure to include your name and return fax number in the request.]
     ACTION ITEMS:
     * If you haven't already done so, please express your
disappointment to the Bob Dole campaign.  Let Bob Dole know that
you do not support his waffling on such important issues as the
gun ban repeal.  You support removing anti-gun (and
unconstitutional) legislation from the federal code.  You do not
support instant gun registration.  Tell them you are watching his
actions more than his words.  Picking an anti-gun running mate
and anti-gun keynote speakers show a lack of concern for gun
owners rights.
     Contact Dole at ph) 202-414-6400; fax: 202-414-6345,
414-8007, or http://www.rnc.org/guest/.
     * Give this same message to the RNC as well (202-863-8500 or
8700, fax: 863-8820).
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1     Our thanks to the pro-gun activists of New Jersey for
providing GOA with a transcript of the Larry King show.
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