From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
NRA-ILA FAX ALERT
Vol. 8, No. 8 2/23/01
A GUN BAN GROUP BY ANY OTHER NAME
IS STILL A GUN BAN GROUP
Last week, we told you about a new anti-gun outfit operating under the
name Americans for Gun Safety. This week, we learned that Handgun Control,
Inc. (HCI), may be changing its name in what appears to be a desperate
attempt to improve its image with mainstream America. According to the
February 26 issue of Newsweek, the new name will probably include a
reference to Jim and Sarah Brady, who have been the public faces of HCI
since the late 1980s. HCI board members privately voted for the name
change because, according to insiders, some felt the term "handgun
control" was "too far to the political left." This will be the second name
change for HCI, which was first formed in 1974 as the National Council to
Control Handguns (NCCH).
Of course, regardless of what it is called, HCI will continue to be
nothing more than part of the gun ban lobby, although a recent press
release attempts to deny this fact. Taking umbrage with an NRA letter that
referred to HCI as a "gun ban lobby," HCI President Mike Barnes took a
page from the Bill Clinton play book on definitions, and wrote a letter to
Members of Congress to "clarify" the issue. Even though HCI is clearly on
record as supporting the 1994 ban on certain semi-automatic firearms, and
even though, in its original incarnation as NCCH, the organization voiced
a desire for an eventual handgun ban through gradual steps, and even
though HCI brags about its legal defense of the Washington, D.C., and
Morton Grove, Ill. handgun bans, Barnes implied that, because "HCI does
not seek to ban all (emphasis added) guns," it should not be called a "gun
ban lobby." According to that logic, we shouldn't label someone a criminal
unless he commits every crime, as opposed to just some crimes. Sorry,
Mike, but as long as your organization continues to support banning many
types and classes of guns, it is, by definition, a "gun ban lobby." Or are
you also confused with what the meaning of "is" is?
SUPREME COURT CHOOSES
NOT TO HEAR CALIFORNIA GUN BAN CASE
On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear an
NRA-supported challenge to California's ban on so-called assault weapons.
While somewhat disappointing, the decision is hardly precedent-setting, as
the Court normally chooses to hear only approximately one out of 100 cases
it is asked to consider. NRA will continue to challenge the California
ban, both in whole and in part, and press forward with other cases that
have been filed. For a copy of an update on several legal challenges to a
number of California's draconian laws regulating firearms, please call the
Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683, or visit NRAILA.org.
NRA v. ASHCROFT
Don't be alarmed by the name of this lawsuit, as this litigation is just
the latest incarnation of NRA v. RenoùNRA's suit against the government's
illegal retention of records of lawful gun purchasers who underwent a NICS
check. As the new Attorney General, John Ashcroft's name simply replaced
that of his predecessor. At issue is whether the government's retention of
lawful gun purchasers under NICS can be retained in what the FBI deems an
"audit log." Section 103(I) of the Brady Act clearly provides that no
federal agency may (1) "require that any record" generated by NICS "be
recorded at or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by
the United States," or (2) use NICS "to establish any system for the
registration of firearms, firearm owners, or firearm transactions," except
of ineligible persons.
Additionally, 18 U.S.C. 922(t)(2), spells out that, if a person may
lawfully receive a firearm, NICS shall assign a unique number, provide the
number to the dealer, and "destroy all records of the system with respect
to the call" (other than the number and the date) and "all records of the
system relating to the person or the transfer." The petition to have the
case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court was filed yesterday.
"FIX" FOR THE "NOT SO FREE" STATE'S
BALLISTIC FINGERPRINTING SCHEME?
A temporary "fix" has been approved to alleviate one problem caused by
Maryland's "ballistic fingerprinting" requirementùa law that went into
effect last October and has amounted to a de facto ban
on the sale of new handguns in the state. The new law
requires all handgun manufacturers to fire every handgun intended for sale
in Maryland, and forward the shell casings to the State Police. Gun makers
who are not equipped to comply with the law have not been able to supply
Maryland's gun dealers with their handguns since October 1, 2000, causing
the supply available to law-abiding citizens to dry up. The
quick-fixùorchestrated by the primary architect of the "ballistic
fingerprinting" requirement, Maryland's Speaker of the House Casper
Taylor, Jr. (D-Allegany)ùwill allow Maryland's gun dealers to sell
"non-fingerprinted" handguns if they take them to the State Police, who
will fire them and collect the shell casings. A fee of $20.00 will be
charged for each handgunùa cost that will be passed on to the consumer. In
effect, this "solution" replaces a de facto ban with a de facto tax on all
handguns. The new system is not expected to be in place for another 60
days, and will operate for only six months. While NRA is encouraged to see
the "de facto ban" problem being addressed, our ultimate goal remains the
repeal of this onerous law. Please contact your State Delegate and urge
him to support HB 185ùDelegate Kevin Kelly's (D-Allegany) legislation to
repeal Maryland's "ballistic fingerprinting" requirement. In addition,
March 1, is the date set for hearings on legislation that seeks to tax all
ammunition purchases. Make plans to attend the hearings and express your
opposition to HB 1125. The hearings will be held on Tuesday, March 1, at
1:00 p.m., by the House of Delegates Ways and Means Committee, in Room 110
of the State Capitol. Also be sure to call your State Delegate and urge
him to oppose HB 1125. You can reach your State Delegate by calling (410)
841-3000. For those on the Internet, you can find contact information for
your lawmakers by going to NRAILA.org, and using the "Write Your Reps"
tool.
Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org
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