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NRA-ILA FAX ALERT=20
Vol. 8, No.4 1/26/01=20
MORE PROOF THAT MAJOR NETWORKS
ARE BIASED AGAINST OUR RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
A recent study by the Media Research Center (MRC) documents the palpable =
anti-gun bias of the major television networks in reporting =
firearm-related news. A study released by the MRC last year examined 653 =
morning and evening news stories from July 1, 1997, to June 30, 1999, =
and found that stories advocating gun control on ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC =
outpaced those opposing by a ratio of nearly 10 to 1. The recent study =
examined the same period, and showed that the bias advocating more =
restrictions on law-abiding gun owners is accompanied by an apparent =
unwillingness to cover stories that the pro-Second Amendment community =
would like to see.=20

For example, over the past several years, when NRA spokesmen had been =
invited to comment on the debate over gun control on news programs, they =
regularly pointed out the failure of the Clinton-Gore Administration to =
prosecute armed violent felons. But the MRC study showed that TV =
reporters mentioned the drop in federal prosecutions under Clinton only =
eight times during the period studied. Similarly, NRA has been promoting =
real crime-fighting programs such as the "Project Exile" prosecution =
model, which originated in Richmond, Va., for several years. The =
networks, however, mentioned this program a mere three times over the =
period studied. "Project Exile"-a cooperative effort among local, state, =
and federal law enforcement and prosecutors-targets violent felons who =
violate firearm laws, seeks the most stringent penalties available, and =
has been credited with a dramatic reduction in Richmond's violent =
gun-related crime.=20

The lawful, defensive use of firearms by law-abiding citizens is a =
subject that has also been widely ignored, according to the MRC. =
Although award-winning criminologist Gary Kleck has estimated that =
firearms are used as often as 2.5 million times a year for protection, =
the networks reported such acts only 12 times out of the 653 =
firearm-related stories covered.=20

And while NRA constantly points out that passing new restrictions on =
law-abiding gun owners does nothing to reduce crime, especially in light =
of the countless laws that are violated in every high-profile shooting, =
this argument was mentioned only five times over the study period.=20

This latest study complements last year's study, and supports another =
MRC study released in 1994. The 1994 study focused solely on evening =
news programs from December 1, 1991, to November 30, 1993, and found =
that 62% of the 107 stories examined devoted substantially more time to =
anti-gun arguments than pro-gun. It also found that news commentators =
who endorsed gun control outnumbered those opposed by nearly 2 to 1, and =
the anti-gun bias was even more distinct when the story concerned the =
Brady bill, expanding to 3 to 1 against the pro-Second Amendment view. =
Of course, advocates of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms have been =
painfully aware of this institutional bias for years, but as more =
studies report what we already know to be a problem, perhaps the =
networks will begin to take notice. If they don't, more and more viewers =
will desert them for more objective news sources. If you would like more =
information on the MRC and its recent study, go to its website at =
www.mrc.org.=20


KEEP CALLING IN SUPPORT OF ASHCROFT AND NORTON
Two of President George W. Bush's cabinet nominees are still under =
attack from extremist organizations, so keep contacting your U.S. =
Senators and urge them to support and vote for confirmation of John =
Ashcroft for U.S. Attorney General, and Gale Norton for Secretary of the =
Interior.=20

The attacks on Ashcroft, one of the most qualified candidates for U.S. =
Attorney General this country has ever seen, have ranged from the =
ridiculous to the outrageous, and the most recent shot fired at the =
former Missouri Attorney General, Governor, and U.S. Senator is a =
mixture of both. The Violence Policy Center (VPC), a tiny, radical =
anti-gun group best known for wild distortions of the truth, has called =
on Ashcroft to resign his membership with NRA. VPC Executive Director =
Josh Sugarmann stated this curious demand is because of NRA's "views =
regarding law enforcement."=20

Of course, NRA has been one of the strongest supporters of this nation's =
law enforcement community for more than a century, and since the early =
1960s, our Association has served as the nation's leading firearms and =
marksmanship trainer for America's men and women in blue. Today, =
approximately 10,000 NRA-certified instructors offer training =
nationwide, reaching an estimated 450,000 law enforcement officers =
annually. NRA also offers special benefits for its members in law =
enforcement, including special insurance coverage, discounts on body =
armor, and a scholarship fund for their children. It is hard to imagine =
how VPC can find these kinds of "views regarding law enforcement" so =
objectionable. Joining VPC in this strange demand is U.S. Senator Dianne =
Feinstein (D). Feinstein stated, "To have an attorney general that is a =
present member of the NRA certainly shows a bias." Her comment, =
ironically, exposes Feinstein's own extreme bias. Her statement implies =
she would not support Ashcroft's nomination due to his membership in an =
organization made up of more than 4.2 million law-abiding Americans, =
simply because she does not agree with NRA's efforts to defend the =
Second Amendment. Ashcroft's confirmation is still pending in the Senate =
Judiciary Committee.=20

Gale Norton has not faced quite as public an attack, but she continues =
to be assailed by radical "environmentalist" groups. Norton breezed =
through the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on an 18 to 2 vote, =
but she can still use your call of support before the confirmation vote =
by the full Senate.=20

Continue to call, write, fax, and e-mail your U.S. Senators today, both =
in their D.C., and closest local offices, and urge them to support and =
vote for confirmation of John Ashcroft as U.S. Attorney General and Gale =
Norton as Secretary of the Interior. You can find contact information =
for your U.S. Senators by using the "Write Your Reps" tool at =
www.NRAILA.org, or by calling the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at =
800-392-8683.=20


CPAC 2001
NRA Members are invited to join us for CPAC 2001-the 28th Annual =
Conservative Political Action Conference, February 15-17, 2001, at the =
Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. CPAC is the nation's premier =
annual gathering of conservative leaders, celebrities, elected =
officials, and grassroots activists, and this year's event promises to =
be the biggest and best ever! Invited speakers for this year's =
conference include: President George W. Bush; Vice President Dick =
Cheney; U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.); NRA President Charlton Heston; =
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre; NRA First Vice President =
Kayne Robinson; NRA Director Ted Nugent; American Conservative Union =
Chairman David Keene (also an NRA Director); Col. Oliver North (also an =
NRA Director); Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist (also =
an NRA Director); and a host of others. CPAC is co-sponsored by more =
than 60 leading conservative organizations, and by the NRA. Make plans =
now to attend CPAC 2001 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February =
15-17, 2001, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. For =
additional information, or to register for the conference, call (800) =
752-4391, or visit CPAC online at www.cpac.org. When registering, be =
sure to request the special discounted rates for NRA members. Also, =
through the CPAC student scholarship program, students with valid school =
ID attend CPAC for free!=20


A LOOK AT THE STATES
INDIANA=20

On Wednesday, the Senate Courts and Criminal Code Committee passed SB =
72, the Reckless Lawsuit Protection Act, which would protect firearm =
manufacturers from frivolous, politically-motivated lawsuits aimed at =
bankrupting them. The full Senate is expected to consider the bill as =
early as next Thursday. Contact your State Senator at (800) 382-9467 and =
urge him to support SB 72.=20

IOWA=20

On Wednesday, the Senate passed House File 43, the NRA-backed Dove =
Hunting bill, on a 26 to 24 vote. The bill now goes to Governor Tom =
Vilsack's (D) desk. Call Governor Vilsack's office at (515) 281-5211 and =
urge him to sign House File 43.=20

MISSISSIPPI=20

As early as next Monday afternoon, the House Judiciary B Committee may =
consider HB 558, a bill that seeks to repeal a state requirement that =
licensed dealers keep records of lawful ammunition purchases. Call =
committee members first thing Monday morning at (601) 359-1541 and urge =
them to support HB 558. For a list of committee members, please call the =
NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.=20

NEW MEXICO=20

Right to Carry bills have been filed by Sen. Shannon Robinson (D)-SB =
148-and Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell (R)-HB 277. SB 148 must first go to =
the Senate Public Affairs Committee, and HB 277 to the House Consumer & =
Public Affairs Committee. Call members of these committees (Senate =
Public Affairs Committee at (505) 986-4504 & House Consumer & Public =
Affairs Committee at (505) 986-4326) and urge them to support SB 148 and =
HB 277, respectively. For a list of committee members, please call the =
NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.=20


-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------

Having difficulty finding ILA-related info? Try our FAQ Sheet=20

NRAILA.org is maintained for the NRA by=20
Mainstream Electronic Information Services=20

Homepage established 1994 by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action=20
11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030=20




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<DIV><FONT size=3D2>
<CENTER>
<H2>NRA-ILA FAX ALERT </H2>
<H3></CENTER>Vol. 8, No.4 1/26/01 </H3><B>
<CENTER>MORE PROOF THAT MAJOR NETWORKS<BR>ARE BIASED AGAINST OUR RIGHT =
TO KEEP=20
AND BEAR ARMS</B></CENTER>
<P>A recent study by the <B>Media Research Center</B> (MRC) documents =
the=20
palpable anti-gun bias of the major television networks in reporting=20
firearm-related news. A study released by the MRC last year examined 653 =
morning=20
and evening news stories from July 1, 1997, to June 30, 1999, and found =
that=20
stories advocating gun control on <B>ABC</B>, <B>CBS</B>, <B>CNN</B>, =
and=20
<B>NBC</B> outpaced those opposing by a ratio of nearly 10 to 1. The =
recent=20
study examined the same period, and showed that the bias advocating more =

restrictions on law-abiding gun owners is accompanied by an apparent=20
unwillingness to cover stories that the pro-Second Amendment community =
would=20
like to see.=20
<P>For example, over the past several years, when <B>NRA</B> spokesmen =
had been=20
invited to comment on the debate over gun control on news programs, they =

regularly pointed out the failure of the <B>Clinton-Gore =
Administration</B> to=20
prosecute armed violent felons. But the MRC study showed that TV =
reporters=20
mentioned the drop in federal prosecutions under Clinton only eight =
times during=20
the period studied. Similarly, NRA has been promoting real =
crime-fighting=20
programs such as the "<B>Project Exile</B>" prosecution model, which =
originated=20
in Richmond, Va., for several years. The networks, however, mentioned =
this=20
program a mere three times over the period studied. "Project =
Exile"&#8212;a=20
cooperative effort among local, state, and federal law enforcement and=20
prosecutors&#8212;targets violent felons who violate firearm laws, seeks =
the most=20
stringent penalties available, and has been credited with a dramatic =
reduction=20
in Richmond's violent gun-related crime.=20
<P>The lawful, defensive use of firearms by law-abiding citizens is a =
subject=20
that has also been widely ignored, according to the MRC. Although =
award-winning=20
criminologist <B>Gary Kleck</B> has estimated that firearms are used as =
often as=20
2.5 million times a year for protection, the networks reported such acts =
only 12=20
times out of the 653 firearm-related stories covered.=20
<P>And while NRA constantly points out that passing new restrictions on=20
law-abiding gun owners does nothing to reduce crime, especially in light =
of the=20
countless laws that are violated in every high-profile shooting, this =
argument=20
was mentioned only five times over the study period.=20
<P>This latest study complements last year's study, and supports another =
MRC=20
study released in 1994. The 1994 study focused solely on evening news =
programs=20
from December 1, 1991, to November 30, 1993, and found that 62% of the =
107=20
stories examined devoted substantially more time to anti-gun arguments =
than=20
pro-gun. It also found that news commentators who endorsed gun control=20
outnumbered those opposed by nearly 2 to 1, and the anti-gun bias was =
even more=20
distinct when the story concerned the <B>Brady bill</B>, expanding to 3 =
to 1=20
against the pro-Second Amendment view. Of course, advocates of our Right =
to Keep=20
and Bear Arms have been painfully aware of this institutional bias for =
years,=20
but as more studies report what we already know to be a problem, perhaps =
the=20
networks will begin to take notice. If they don't, more and more viewers =
will=20
desert them for more objective news sources. <U>If you would like more=20
information on the <A href=3D"http://www.mrc.org/">MRC</A> and its =
recent <A=20
href=3D"http://www.mrc.org/news/reality/2000/Fax20000106.html">study</A>,=
 go to=20
its website at <A href=3D"http://www.mrc.org/">www.mrc.org</A>.</U>=20
<P><B>
<CENTER>KEEP CALLING IN SUPPORT OF ASHCROFT AND NORTON</CENTER></B>
<P>Two of <B>President George W. Bush's</B> cabinet nominees are still =
under=20
attack from extremist organizations, so keep contacting your U.S. =
Senators and=20
urge them to support and vote for confirmation of <B>John Ashcroft</B> =
for=20
<B>U.S. Attorney General</B>, and <B>Gale Norton</B> for <B>Secretary of =
the=20
Interior</B>.=20
<P>The attacks on Ashcroft, one of the most qualified candidates for =
U.S.=20
Attorney General this country has ever seen, have ranged from the =
ridiculous to=20
the outrageous, and the most recent shot fired at the former Missouri =
Attorney=20
General, Governor, and U.S. Senator is a mixture of both. The =
<B>Violence Policy=20
Center</B> (VPC), a tiny, radical anti-gun group best known for wild =
distortions=20
of the truth, has called on Ashcroft to resign his membership with NRA. =
<B>VPC=20
Executive Director Josh Sugarmann</B> stated this curious demand is =
because of=20
NRA's "views regarding law enforcement."=20
<P>Of course, NRA has been one of the strongest supporters of this =
nation's law=20
enforcement community for more than a century, and since the early =
1960s, our=20
Association has served as the nation's leading firearms and marksmanship =
trainer=20
for America's men and women in blue. Today, approximately 10,000 =
NRA-certified=20
instructors offer training nationwide, reaching an estimated 450,000 law =

enforcement officers annually. NRA also offers special benefits for its =
members=20
in law enforcement, including special insurance coverage, discounts on =
body=20
armor, and a scholarship fund for their children. It is hard to imagine =
how VPC=20
can find these kinds of "views regarding law enforcement" so =
objectionable.=20
Joining VPC in this strange demand is <B>U.S. Senator Dianne =
Feinstein</B> (D).=20
Feinstein stated, "To have an attorney general that is a present member =
of the=20
NRA certainly shows a bias." Her comment, ironically, exposes =
Feinstein's own=20
extreme bias. Her statement implies she would not support Ashcroft's =
nomination=20
due to his membership in an organization made up of more than 4.2 =
million=20
law-abiding Americans, simply because she does not agree with NRA's =
efforts to=20
defend the Second Amendment. Ashcroft's confirmation is still pending in =
the=20
<B>Senate Judiciary Committee</B>.=20
<P>Gale Norton has not faced quite as public an attack, but she =
continues to be=20
assailed by radical "environmentalist" groups. Norton breezed through =
the=20
<B>Energy and Natural Resources Committee</B> on an 18 to 2 vote, but =
she can=20
still use your call of support before the confirmation vote by the full =
Senate.=20
<P><U><I>Continue to call, write, fax, and e-mail your U.S. Senators =
today, both=20
in their D.C., and closest local offices, and urge them to support and =
vote for=20
confirmation of John Ashcroft as U.S. Attorney General and Gale Norton =
as=20
Secretary of the Interior. You can find contact information for your =
U.S.=20
Senators by using the "Write Your Reps" tool at <A=20
href=3D"http://www.nraila.org/">www.NRAILA.org</A>, or by calling the =
NRA-ILA=20
Grassroots Division at 800-392-8683.</I></U>=20
<P><B>
<CENTER>CPAC 2001</B></CENTER>
<P>NRA Members are invited to join us for <B>CPAC 2001</B>&#8212;the =
<B>28th Annual=20
Conservative Political Action Conference</B>, <B>February 15-17</B>,=20
<B>2001</B>, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. CPAC is =
the=20
nation's premier annual gathering of conservative leaders, celebrities, =
elected=20
officials, and grassroots activists, and this year's event promises to =
be the=20
biggest and best ever! Invited speakers for this year's conference =
include:=20
<B>President George W. Bush</B>; <B>Vice President Dick Cheney</B>; =
<B>U.S. Sen.=20
Jesse Helms</B> (R-N.C.); <B>NRA President Charlton Heston</B>; <B>NRA =
Executive=20
Vice President Wayne LaPierre</B>; <B>NRA First Vice President Kayne=20
Robinson</B>; <B>NRA Director Ted Nugent</B>; <B>American Conservative =
Union=20
Chairman David Keene</B> (also an NRA Director); <B>Col. Oliver =
North</B> (also=20
an NRA Director); <B>Americans for Tax Reform President Grover =
Norquist</B>=20
(also an NRA Director); and a host of others. CPAC is co-sponsored by =
more than=20
60 leading conservative organizations, and by the NRA. <I><U>Make plans =
now to=20
attend CPAC 2001 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, <B>February 15-17, =
2001</B>,=20
at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. For additional =
information, or=20
to register for the conference, call (800) 752-4391, or visit CPAC =
online at <A=20
href=3D"http://www.cpac.org/">www.cpac.org</A>. When registering, be =
sure to=20
request the special discounted rates for NRA members. Also, through the =
CPAC=20
student scholarship program, students with valid school ID attend CPAC =
for=20
free!</I></U>=20
<P>
<CENTER><B>A LOOK AT THE STATES</CENTER></B>
<P><B>INDIANA</B>=20
<P>On Wednesday, the <B>Senate Courts and Criminal Code Committee</B> =
passed=20
<B>SB 72</B>, the <B>Reckless Lawsuit Protection Act</B>, which would =
protect=20
firearm manufacturers from frivolous, politically-motivated lawsuits =
aimed at=20
bankrupting them. The full Senate is expected to consider the bill as =
early as=20
next Thursday. <U><I>Contact your State Senator at (800) 382-9467 and =
urge him=20
to support SB 72.</I></U>=20
<P><B>IOWA</B>=20
<P>On Wednesday, the Senate passed <B>House File 43</B>, the NRA-backed =
<B>Dove=20
Hunting bill</B>, on a 26 to 24 vote. The bill now goes to <B>Governor =
Tom=20
Vilsack's</B> (D) desk. <I><U>Call Governor Vilsack's office at (515) =
281-5211=20
and urge him to sign House File 43.</I></U>=20
<P><B>MISSISSIPPI</B>=20
<P>As early as next Monday afternoon, the <B>House Judiciary B =
Committee</B> may=20
consider <B>HB 558</B>, a bill that seeks to repeal a state requirement =
that=20
licensed dealers keep records of lawful ammunition purchases. <I><U>Call =

committee members first thing Monday morning at (601) 359-1541 and urge =
them to=20
support HB 558. For a list of committee members, please call the NRA-ILA =

Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.</I></U>=20
<P><B>NEW MEXICO</B>=20
<P>Right to Carry bills have been filed by <B>Sen. Shannon Robinson</B>=20
(D)&#8212;<B>SB 148</B>&#8212;and <B>Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell</B> =
(R)&#8212;<B>HB 277</B>. SB=20
148 must first go to the <B>Senate Public Affairs Committee</B>, and HB =
277 to=20
the <B>House Consumer &amp; Public Affairs Committee</B>. <I><U>Call =
members of=20
these committees (Senate Public Affairs Committee at (505) 986-4504 =
&amp; House=20
Consumer &amp; Public Affairs Committee at (505) 986-4326) and urge them =
to=20
support SB 148 and HB 277, respectively. For a list of committee =
members, please=20
call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.</I></U>=20
<HR noShade>

<CENTER>
<P><FONT size=3D-2>Having difficulty finding ILA-related info? Try our =
<A=20
href=3D"http://www.nraila.org/show.cgi?page=3D/grassroots/19990813-Genera=
lInfo-015.html">FAQ=20
Sheet</A>=20
<P>NRAILA.org is maintained for the NRA by <BR></FONT><A=20
href=3D"http://www.mainstream.net/"><FONT size=3D-2>Mainstream =
Electronic=20
Information Services </FONT></A><FONT size=3D-2>
<P><FONT size=3D-2>Homepage established 1994 by the NRA Institute for =
Legislative=20
Action <BR>11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 </FONT></P>
<P>&nbsp;</P></CENTER></FONT></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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