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NRA-ILA FAX ALERT=20
Vol. 8, No. 8 2/23/01=20
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).=20

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?=20


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.=20


NRA v. ASHCROFT
Don't be alarmed by the name of this lawsuit, as this litigation is just =
the latest incarnation of NRA v. Reno-NRA'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.=20

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.=20


"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" requirement-a 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-fix-orchestrated by the primary architect of the "ballistic =
fingerprinting" requirement, Maryland's Speaker of the House Casper =
Taylor, Jr. (D-Allegany)-will 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 handgun-a 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 185-Delegate 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.=20


A LOOK AT THE STATES
INDIANA=20

Earlier this week, HB 1143, which would protect firearms manufacturers =
from frivolous, politically-motivated lawsuits aimed at bankrupting =
them, passed the House Agriculture Committee. The full House is expected =
to consider HB 1143 as early as this Monday, February 26. Also, on =
Monday, the House may consider HB 1138, which would hold adults =
criminally responsible when a minor gains access to a firearm and =
injures or kills another person. Contact your State Representative at =
(800) 382-9841 for Republican Members, or (800) 382-9842 for Democratic =
Members, and urge them to support HB 1143 and oppose HB 1138. For those =
on the Internet, you can find additional contact information for your =
lawmakers by using the "Write Your Reps" tool at www.NRAILA.org.=20

KANSAS=20

The Senate Judiciary still has not considered SB 116, which would =
protect firearms manufacturers from frivolous, politically-motivated =
lawsuits aimed at bankrupting them, and SB 117, which would protect =
Kansas' shooting ranges against nuisance and noise ordinances aimed at =
shutting them down. Contact Committee members and Chairman John Vratil =
(R-11) and urge them to consider and support these bills. For a list of =
committee members, please contact NRA-ILA Grassroots.=20

NEBRASKA=20

The Judiciary Committee still has not voted on LB 496, NRA-backed Right =
to Carry legislation. Contact your Senator at (402) 471-2271 in support =
of LB 496.=20

NEW HAMPSHIRE=20

HB 505, which would protect firearms manufacturers from frivolous, =
politically-motivated lawsuits aimed at bankrupting them, is set to be =
considered by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 21. =
Contact members of the committee and urge them to support HB 505. For a =
list of committee members' names and phone numbers, please call NRA-ILA =
Grassroots.=20

NEW MEXICO=20

This week, the New Mexico State House defeated HB 396, an NRA-opposed =
bill that would have ended firearms sales between private, non-licensed =
individuals at gun shows. Also, on Monday, February 26, the Senate =
Judiciary Committee will consider SB 148, NRA-backed Right to Carry =
legislation. Contact committee members at (505) 986-4500 and urge them =
to support SB 148. For a list of committee members, contact NRA-ILA =
Grassroots Division.=20

RHODE ISLAND Rep. David Cicilline (D-4) introduced H 5580, a sweeping, =
21 page anti-gun bill that could be considered by the House Judiciary =
Committee on Tuesday, February 27. H 5580 would give local law =
enforcement the authority to arbitrarily deny your right to purchase a =
firearm, require ballistics testing on all firearms before they can be =
sold in the state, and reduce the duration of concealed carry permits =
from four years to one year. H 5580 would also set up central =
registration of all firearms and require every firearm sold in Rhode =
Island to be fitted with a trigger lock. Contact members of the House =
Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote "NO" on H 5580. For a list of =
members' names and phone numbers, please call NRA-ILA Grassroots.=20

UTAH=20

Earlier this week, the Utah House Judiciary Committee passed HB 376 S3, =
which would grant out-of-state "Right to Carry" permit holders the =
ability to carry their firearms concealed for personal protection in =
Utah. Contact your State Representative at (801) 538-1029 and urge them =
to support HB 376 S3.=20

VIRGINIA=20

HB 1969, which seeks to reinforce the state's firearms preemption law =
against a patchwork of local firearms restrictions, will be heard before =
the full Senate on Monday, February 26. In recent years, some of =
Virginia's more anti-gun localities have been crafting gun-control laws =
in ways to get around the existing law. HB 1969 would put an end to this =
practice and restore the much-needed state uniformity. Contact your =
State Senator at (804) 698-7410 and urge him to support HB 1969.=20

WASHINGTON=20

Next week, the House is expected to vote on HB 1121, NRA-opposed =
legislation that mandates how an individual's firearms should be stored, =
thus rendering them useless for self-defense. Contact your State =
Representative at (360) 786-7573 and urge him to oppose HB 1121.=20


-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
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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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<CENTER>
<H2>NRA-ILA FAX ALERT </H2>
<H3></CENTER>Vol. 8, No. 8 2/23/01 </H3><B>
<CENTER>A GUN BAN GROUP BY ANY OTHER NAME<BR>IS STILL A GUN BAN=20
GROUP</B></CENTER>
<P>Last week, we told you about a new anti-gun outfit operating under =
the name=20
<B>Americans for Gun Safety</B>. This week, we learned that <B>Handgun =
Control,=20
Inc.</B> (HCI), may be changing its name in what appears to be a =
desperate=20
attempt to improve its image with mainstream America. According to the =
February=20
26 issue of <I><B>Newsweek</B></I>, the new name will probably include a =

reference to <B>Jim</B> and <B>Sarah Brady</B>, who have been the public =
faces=20
of HCI since the late 1980s. HCI board members privately voted for the =
name=20
change because, according to insiders, some felt the term "handgun =
control" was=20
"too far to the political left." This will be the second name change for =
HCI,=20
which was first formed in 1974 as the <B>National Council to Control=20
Handguns</B> (NCCH).=20
<P>Of course, regardless of what it is called, HCI will continue to be =
nothing=20
more than part of the gun ban lobby, although a recent press release =
attempts to=20
deny this fact. Taking umbrage with an NRA letter that referred to HCI =
as a "gun=20
ban lobby," <B>HCI President Mike Barnes</B> took a page from the =
<B>Bill=20
Clinton</B> play book on definitions, and wrote a letter to Members of =
Congress=20
to "clarify" the issue. Even though HCI is clearly on record as =
supporting the=20
1994 <I><U>ban</I></U> on certain semi-automatic firearms, and even =
though, in=20
its original incarnation as NCCH, the organization voiced a desire for =
an=20
eventual handgun <I><U>ban</I></U> through gradual steps, and even =
though HCI=20
brags about its legal defense of the <B>Washington, D.C.</B>, and =
<B>Morton=20
Grove, Ill</B>. handgun <I><U>bans</I></U>, Barnes implied that, because =
"HCI=20
does not seek to ban <I><U>all</I></U> (emphasis added) guns," it should =
not be=20
called a "gun ban lobby." According to that logic, we shouldn't label =
someone a=20
criminal unless he commits every crime, as opposed to just some crimes. =
Sorry,=20
Mike, but as long as your organization continues to support banning many =
types=20
and classes of guns, it is, by definition, a "gun ban lobby." Or are you =
also=20
confused with what the meaning of "is" is?=20
<P><B>
<CENTER>SUPREME COURT CHOOSES<BR>NOT TO HEAR CALIFORNIA GUN BAN=20
CASE</CENTER></B>
<P>On February 20, the <B>U.S. Supreme Court</B> decided not to hear an=20
NRA-supported challenge to <B>California's</B> ban on so-called assault =
weapons.=20
While somewhat disappointing, the decision is hardly precedent-setting, =
as the=20
Court normally chooses to hear only approximately one out of 100 cases =
it is=20
asked to consider. NRA will continue to challenge the California ban, =
both in=20
whole and in part, and press forward with other cases that have been =
filed.=20
<I><U>For a copy of an update on several legal challenges to a number of =

California's draconian laws regulating firearms, please call the =
Grassroots=20
Division at (800) 392-8683, or visit NRAILA.org.</I></U>=20
<P><B>
<CENTER>NRA v. ASHCROFT</B></CENTER>
<P>Don't be alarmed by the name of this lawsuit, as this litigation is =
just the=20
latest incarnation of <B>NRA v. Reno</B>&#8212;NRA's suit against the =
government's=20
illegal retention of records of lawful gun purchasers who underwent a=20
<B>NICS</B> check. As the new Attorney General, <B>John Ashcroft's</B> =
name=20
simply replaced that of his predecessor. At issue is whether the =
government's=20
retention of lawful gun purchasers under NICS can be retained in what =
the=20
<B>FBI</B> deems an "audit log." Section 103(I) of the <B>Brady Act</B> =
clearly=20
provides that no federal agency may (1) "require that any record" =
generated by=20
NICS "be recorded at or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or =
controlled=20
by the United States," or (2) use NICS "to establish any system for the=20
registration of firearms, firearm owners, or firearm transactions," =
except of=20
ineligible persons.=20
<P>Additionally, 18 U.S.C. 922(t)(2), spells out that, if a person may =
lawfully=20
receive a firearm, NICS shall assign a unique number, provide the number =
to the=20
dealer, and "destroy all records of the system with respect to the call" =
(other=20
than the number and the date) and "all records of the system relating to =
the=20
person or the transfer." The petition to have the case heard by the U.S. =
Supreme=20
Court was filed yesterday.=20
<P><B>
<CENTER>"FIX" FOR THE "NOT SO FREE" STATE'S<BR>BALLISTIC FINGERPRINTING=20
SCHEME?</B></CENTER>
<P>A temporary "fix" has been approved to alleviate one problem caused =
by=20
<B>Maryland's</B> "ballistic fingerprinting" requirement&#8212;a law =
that went into=20
effect last October and has amounted to a de facto ban on the sale of =
new=20
handguns in the state. The new law requires all handgun manufacturers to =
fire=20
every handgun intended for sale in Maryland, and forward the shell =
casings to=20
the <B>State Police</B>. Gun makers who are not equipped to comply with =
the law=20
have not been able to supply Maryland's gun dealers with their handguns =
since=20
October 1, 2000, causing the supply available to law-abiding citizens to =
dry up.=20
The quick-fix&#8212;orchestrated by the primary architect of the =
"ballistic=20
fingerprinting" requirement, Maryland's <B>Speaker of the House Casper =
Taylor,=20
Jr.</B> (D-Allegany)&#8212;will allow Maryland's gun dealers to sell=20
"non-fingerprinted" handguns if they take them to the State Police, who =
will=20
fire them and collect the shell casings. A fee of $20.00 will be charged =
for=20
each handgun&#8212;a cost that will be passed on to the consumer. In =
effect, this=20
"solution" replaces a de facto ban with a de facto tax on all handguns. =
The new=20
system is not expected to be in place for another 60 days, and will =
operate for=20
only six months. While NRA is encouraged to see the "de facto ban" =
problem being=20
addressed, our ultimate goal remains the repeal of this onerous law.=20
<I><U>Please contact your State Delegate and urge him to support <B>HB=20
185</B>&#8212;<B>Delegate Kevin Kelly's</B> (D-Allegany) legislation to =
repeal=20
Maryland's "ballistic fingerprinting" requirement.</I></U> In addition, =
<B>March=20
1</B>, is the date set for hearings on legislation that seeks to tax all =

ammunition purchases. <I><U>Make plans to attend the hearings and =
express your=20
opposition to <B>HB 1125</B>. The hearings will be held on <B>Tuesday, =
March=20
1</B>, at <B>1:00 p.m.</B>, by the <B>House of Delegates Ways and Means=20
Committee</B>, in <B>Room 110</B> of the <B>State Capitol</B>. Also be =
sure to=20
call your State Delegate and urge him to oppose HB 1125. You can reach =
your=20
State Delegate by calling (410) 841-3000. For those on the Internet, you =
can=20
find contact information for your lawmakers by going to NRAILA.org, and =
using=20
the "Write Your Reps" tool.</I></U>=20
<P>
<CENTER><B>A LOOK AT THE STATES</CENTER></B>
<P><B>INDIANA</B>=20
<P>Earlier this week, <B>HB 1143</B>, which would protect firearms =
manufacturers=20
from frivolous, politically-motivated lawsuits aimed at bankrupting =
them, passed=20
the <B>House Agriculture Committee</B>. The full House is expected to =
consider=20
HB 1143 as early as this <B>Monday, February 26</B>. Also, on Monday, =
the House=20
may consider <B>HB 1138</B>, which would hold adults criminally =
responsible when=20
a minor gains access to a firearm and injures or kills another person.=20
<I><U>Contact your State Representative at (800) 382-9841 for Republican =

Members, or (800) 382-9842 for Democratic Members, and urge them to =
support HB=20
1143 and oppose HB 1138. For those on the Internet, you can find =
additional=20
contact information for your lawmakers by using the "Write Your Reps" =
tool at=20
www.NRAILA.org.</I></U>=20
<P><B>KANSAS</B>=20
<P>The Senate Judiciary still has not considered <B>SB 116</B>, which =
would=20
protect firearms manufacturers from frivolous, politically-motivated =
lawsuits=20
aimed at bankrupting them, and <B>SB 117</B>, which would protect =
Kansas'=20
shooting ranges against nuisance and noise ordinances aimed at shutting =
them=20
down. <U><I>Contact Committee members and <B>Chairman John Vratil</B> =
(R-11) and=20
urge them to consider and support these bills. For a list of committee =
members,=20
please contact NRA-ILA Grassroots.</U></I>=20
<P><B>NEBRASKA</B>=20
<P>The Judiciary Committee still has not voted on <B>LB 496</B>, =
NRA-backed=20
Right to Carry legislation. <I><U>Contact your Senator at (402) 471-2271 =
in=20
support of LB 496</I></U>.=20
<P><B>NEW HAMPSHIRE</B> <B>
<P>HB 505</B>, which would protect firearms manufacturers from =
frivolous,=20
politically-motivated lawsuits aimed at bankrupting them, is set to be=20
considered by the House Judiciary Committee on <B>Wednesday, February =
21</B>.=20
<I><U>Contact members of the committee and urge them to support HB 505. =
For a=20
list of committee members' names and phone numbers, please call NRA-ILA=20
Grassroots.</I></U>=20
<P><B>NEW MEXICO</B>=20
<P>This week, the New Mexico State House defeated <B>HB 396</B>, an =
NRA-opposed=20
bill that would have ended firearms sales between private, non-licensed=20
individuals at gun shows. Also, on <B>Monday, February 26</B>, the =
Senate=20
Judiciary Committee will consider <B>SB 148</B>, NRA-backed Right to =
Carry=20
legislation. <I><U>Contact committee members at (505) 986-4500 and urge =
them to=20
support SB 148. For a list of committee members, contact NRA-ILA =
Grassroots=20
Division.</I></U>=20
<P><B>RHODE ISLAND</B> <B>Rep. David Cicilline</B> (D-4) introduced <B>H =

5580</B>, a sweeping, 21 page anti-gun bill that could be considered by =
the=20
<B>House Judiciary Committee</B> on <B>Tuesday, February 27</B>. H 5580 =
would=20
give local law enforcement the authority to arbitrarily deny your right =
to=20
purchase a firearm, require ballistics testing on all firearms before =
they can=20
be sold in the state, and reduce the duration of concealed carry permits =
from=20
four years to one year. H 5580 would also set up central registration of =
all=20
firearms and require every firearm sold in Rhode Island to be fitted =
with a=20
trigger lock. <I><U>Contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and =
urge=20
them to vote "NO" on H 5580. For a list of members' names and phone =
numbers,=20
please call NRA-ILA Grassroots.</I></U>=20
<P><B>UTAH</B>=20
<P>Earlier this week, the <B>Utah House Judiciary Committee</B> passed =
<B>HB 376=20
S3</B>, which would grant out-of-state "Right to Carry" permit holders =
the=20
ability to carry their firearms concealed for personal protection in =
Utah.=20
<I><U>Contact your State Representative at (801) 538-1029 and urge them =
to=20
support HB 376 S3.</I></U>=20
<P><B>VIRGINIA</B>=20
<P><B>HB 1969</B>, which seeks to reinforce the state's firearms =
preemption law=20
against a patchwork of local firearms restrictions, will be heard before =
the=20
full Senate on <B>Monday, February 26</B>. In recent years, some of =
Virginia's=20
more anti-gun localities have been crafting gun-control laws in ways to =
get=20
around the existing law. HB 1969 would put an end to this practice and =
restore=20
the much-needed state uniformity. <I><U>Contact your State Senator at =
(804)=20
698-7410 and urge him to support HB 1969.</I></U>=20
<P><B>WASHINGTON</B>=20
<P>Next week, the House is expected to vote on <B>HB 1121</B>, =
NRA-opposed=20
legislation that mandates how an individual's firearms should be stored, =
thus=20
rendering them useless for self-defense. <I><U>Contact your State =
Representative=20
at (360) 786-7573 and urge him to oppose HB 1121.</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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