
                     **** NRA FAX-NEWS ****
                     *** March 10, 1994 ***
          555 Capitol Mall, #455  Sacramento, CA 95814
                (916) 446-2455 FAX (916) 448-7469
=================================================================
                     *** FEDERAL AFFAIRS ***
The Feinstein semi-auto ban amendment to the "crime bill" may come
up for a vote in the next two weeks.  The amendment will be voted
on separate from the full bill.

                     *** STATE AFFAIRS ****

San Diego Sheriff Jim Roache is being attacked by the local media
because he refuses to destroy seized firearms.  We are assisting
him and at the same time working to defeat AB 1333 (Gotch).

Following is the body of a letter we sent to the San Diego Union-
Tribune in response to an editorial they published:

Dear Mr. Kittle:

The San Diego Union-Tribune has been critical of Sheriff Jim Roache
for selling seized firearms and laudatory of Assemblyman Gotch's
bill (AB 1333) which would prohibit such sales.  Gotch was quoted
as saying, "I find it indefensible that a local government agency
would peddle cheap handguns that have already been apprehended by
police in order to recoup a few dollars."  While it is true that AB
1333 would stop the sale of non-antique or relic firearms, there is
more to the story.  Instead of selling firearms, AB 1333 would
authorize law enforcement agencies to trade seized firearms for new
firearms.  Such trades would be handled by the same wholesalers or
retailers and the firearms would be returned to normal commercial
channels.  In other words, "business as usual."

Requiring that firearms be traded could also prove to be a fiscal
incentive for some departments as it might allow for the avoidance
of certain budget or control agency oversight practices.  

Assemblyman Gotch has also specifically provided in AB 1333 that 
law enforcement agencies can sell their surplus handguns.  Before
you offer more criticism of Sheriff Roache, you may want to examine
the "surplusing" practices of other San Diego law enforcement
agencies.  Sheriff Roache may be the only law enforcement
administrator who is being completely forthright.

Frequently, things are not as they seem in Sacramento, and such is
the case with AB 1333.  I suggest that your staff carefully analyze
Assemblyman Gotch's bill.  If our characterization of its potential
effect is correct, I assume intellectual honesty will require that
you join the NRA in opposition to AB 1333; albeit for different
reasons.

Sincerely,
S. C. Helsley, State Liaison


AB 1333 is too long to include in its entirety but here are the key
sections:

(f) Notwithstanding subdivision (c) or Section 12030, any law
enforcement agency that has custody of any weapons that are subject
to destruction pursuant to this section, may, in lieu of destroying
the weapons, use the weapons to purchase other weapons from a
person licensed pursuant to Section 12071 for the exclusive use of
the law enforcement agency.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to firearms
that have been purchased by law enforcement agencies.

Following is the text of an editorial to be broadcast today on San
Diego's KGTV - Channel 10:

                           GUNSLINGER
Sheriff Roache - The last Gunslinger.  A Channel 10 editorial.

Wanna buy a nice deadly gun?  One used by a local San Diego
criminal?  Sheriff Roache is still the man to see.

Last month, the County Board of Supervisors told the sheriff to end
his outrageous practice of selling confiscated weapons back to the
public.  But because of a legal technicality, Sheriff Roache
doesn't have to abide by the board's wishes.

Assemblyman Mike Gotch has a bill that would stop law enforcement
from selling guns taken from crooks.  We think that bill should
become law, but that will take some time.

In the meantime, the sheriff is -- literally -- sticking to his
guns.  And the gunslinging bazaar will continue as he keeps selling
confiscated guns to auctioneers.

No matter what the Board thinks.  No matter that all other local
law enforcement agencies destroy these weapons.  No matter that we
need these dangerous weapons off our streets.

Sheriff Roache says he'll donate the money from the guns to the
Crime Victims Fund.  How ironic.  A victim getting money from the
gun that made him a victim.

Sheriff Roache, you need to show some sensitivity to a problem
that's -- literally -- killing us.  Stop your gunslinging, now. 
That's our opinion.  What's yours?

The following is our response to the above editorial:

Dear Mr. Beatty:

RE:  "GUNSLINGER" EDITORIAL

How can you criticize Sheriff Roache for selling seized firearms
while supporting Assemblyman Gotch's AB 1333?

Please read the attached material and then reconsider your
position.  Perhaps your indignation should be focused on
Assemblyman Gotch.

Sincerely,
S. C. Helsley, State Liaison

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