Date: Sat, 10 Jun 1995 20:12:55 -0400 From: alerts@gatekeeper.nra.org (NRA Alerts) To: firearms-alert@shell.portal.com Subject: FAXNET: Senate Passes Counter-Terrorism Bill 95-06-09 NRA-ILA FAX NETWORK NRA Institute for Legislative Action 11250 Waples Mill Road * Fairfax, VA 22030 Vol. 2, No. 25 6/9/95 Phone: 1-800-392-8683 * Fax: 703-267-3918 SENATE PASSES COUNTER-TERRORISM BILL WITHOUT RESTRICTIVE "GUN CONTROL" MEASURES This week, the U.S. Senate passed S. 735, its version of anti-terrorism legislation -- without any restrictive "gun control" provisions. One by one, anti-gun proposals calling for the end of the Civilian Marksmanship program, ammo bans, and firearms registration (just to name a few) fell by the wayside or better yet, never even came up for a vote! Unfortunately, while the Senate Republicans originally eliminated some of Clinton's anti-terrorism proposals in their substitute proposal, the full Senate gradually added most of them back, including new roving wiretap authority, expanded use of the military and the authority to put tracer elements in some explosives. Thanks to NRA, however, the Senate decided not to include taggants in black and smokeless powder on a 90-0 vote! We are outraged that the consideration of this bill, which was supposed to focus on terrorism, was used as an attempt by anti-gun Senators to take away freedom, rather than protect it. Moreover, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has promised that the amendments which threaten our basic gun rights, which were pulled from this bill, will be resurfacing in coming weeks. Rest assured NRA will be ready, and will continue to address our remaining concerns about this bill in the House. IRS TO INVESTIGATE NRA: The IRS is preparing to undertake a major examination of NRA's financial returns and statements. Unlike ordinary audits, which affect thousands of Americans every year, the NRA will be subjected to a Coordinated Examination Program (CEP), which can last between two and three years! During a CEP, IRS agents will become part of the every-day corporate life of the Association. Why the intense scrutiny? Whatever the reason, NRA is confident in its reportings. And while the anti-gun media is again trying to stir up controversy regarding this non-issue, we are certain the IRS will find that NRA has complied with all laws and has faithfully completed our tax returns. Stay tuned! D.C. GUN CRACKDOWN: A special team of Washington, D.C., police officers and BATF agents will begin a crackdown on illegal firearms activities in the nation's capital. U.S. Attorney Eric Holder, who's spearheading the effort dubbed Operation Ceasfire, says these special squads will be targeting vehicles which are in violation of safety standards i.e., operating with improper lights or heavily tinted windows. They will also target pedestrians who may fit a specific profile of an individual likely to be carrying a gun. BATF agents will enter any information about the seized firearms into two different local and national databases which track firearms. Could it be that officials have conceded that the District's handgun ban, which has been in place for almost 20 years, hasn't stopped the criminal misuse of firearms? A LOOK AT THE STATES: Florida: SB 1582, right to carry legislation which reduces license fees and removes the fingerprint requirement for license renewals, was signed into law by Gov. Chiles. The law takes effect on July 1. Louisiana: The House passed SB 886, NRA-backed right to carry reform legislation, and the Senate will vote next week on whether to agree to House amendments. However, Gov. Edwards has indicated that he will veto the bill when it reaches his desk. Members: please call the Governor's office at (504) 342-7015 and thank him for his past support and encourage him to sign right to carry reform into law! North Carolina: The Senate Judiciary Committee approved HB 90, NRA-supported right to carry legislation. HB 90 now moves to the Senate Finance Committee where it will be considered next week. Members: please contact your State Senators and urge them to support HB 90. Oregon: The Senate approved SB 1096, NRA-supported instant check legislation to replace the current 15-day waiting period on handgun purchases. At press time, the bill was still awaiting final action by the House. We'll keep you posted! Pennsylvania: The legislature approved the NRA-supported Sportsmen's Omnibus Crime Bill, which establishes an instant criminal records check system, requires Philadelphia to conform to statewide standards for issuing carry permits and recognizes the right to keep and bear arms as a fundamental right. The bill now goes to Gov. Ridge for his expected signature. Virginia: Tuesday, June 13, is primary election day and NRA has endorsed Robert McDowell (R) for Senate in district 32, and Levi Willis (D) for the House in district 89. Area members: please be sure to support these two candidates in Tuesday's primaries. All registered voters may vote in the primaries since there is no voter registration by party. NOTABLE QUOTABLE: Notorious anti-gun Senator, Joe Biden (D- Del.), had some interesting words to offer with respect to NRA members and "militias." But wait just a minute -- it's not what you might think! In referring to NRA's past fundraising, which has received much attention recently, Sen. Biden noted, "The NRA puts out an ill-advised letter, and all of a sudden everyone in the NRA is a 'thug,' a 'bum.' The vast majority of NRA members in my state are honest, decent citizens." Bravo, Sen. Biden -- you got it right! =END= =+=+= This information is presented as a service to the Internet community by the NRA/ILA. Some useful URLs: http://WWW.NRA.Org, gopher://GOPHER.NRA.Org, wais://WAIS.NRA.Org, ftp://FTP.NRA.Org, mailto:LISTPROC@NRA.Org (Send the word help as the body of a message) Information can also be obtained by connecting directly to the NRA-ILA GUN-TALK BBS at (703) 934-2121. NRA.org is maintained by Mainstream.com mailto:info@mainstream.com