Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 23:23:24 -0400 From: alerts@gatekeeper.nra.org (NRA Alerts) To: firearms-alert@shell.portal.com Subject: FAXALERT: NRA Responds to Resignation 95-5-19 NRA-ILA FAX NETWORK 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, VA 22030 Phone: 1-800-392-8683 Fax: 703-267-3918 Vol. 2, No. 22 5/19/95 NRA RESPONDS TO RESIGNATION In response to former President George Bush's decision to resign from the Association, NRA ran a full-page ad in a number of newspapers, including the L.A. Times, New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today. The ad, an unedited copy of NRA President Tom Washington's response to President Bush, made amply clear NRA's views on BATF -- citing at least a half dozen specific instances where BATF agents abused their authority, and highlighted a number of well documented lawsuits filed against BATF by its own agents claiming sexual and racial discrimination. The ad highlighted the fact that it was the Reagan-Bush administration which cracked down on BATF and cleaned up the way its agents conducted themselves. The letter concluded by informing the former president that in the end, "congressional examination of BATF [will show] that our words have been more truth than slander." Stay tuned! NRA ISSUES CLARIFICATION: In a recent interview with the Associated Press, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre set the record straight on remarks he made in a past NRA fundraiser. Mr. LaPierre addressed the concerns of law enforcement officials who felt that his remarks in response to BATF's recent activities were a condemnation of all law enforcement personnel. LaPierre affirmed that NRA in no way meant to imply that all law enforcement agents were guilty of the actions perpetrated by a few federal agents. However, as we have witnessed over the past few years, there have been many specific instances concerning BATF's activities that must be investigated, and we will continue to push for congressional hearings into these matters. NRA has been one of the strongest supporters of this nation's law enforcement community for more than a century, and will continue to work and build on this relationship for the future. HINDSIGHT IS 20/20: Last Sunday, Attorney General Janet Reno appeared on CBS's 60 Minutes. When asked about her actions in conjunction with the Waco disaster (for which she took full responsibility) Ms. Reno responded, "[k]nowing what happened, I would not do it again...[W]e are not going to do it again." While hindsight is 20/20, NRA will continue with our push for congressional hearings into this matter to prevent any similar disasters from ever happening again. We owe it to the American people and to the tens of thousands of honorable law enforcement agents around the country to bring the truth to light. HCI PLANS PHOENIX PROTEST: HCI has received a permit to launch a demonstration at this Saturday's NRA Annual Meeting of Members in Phoenix. With no less than 15 satellite feeds reportedly set up at the Annual Meeting, heavy media coverage is anticipated. Members: please monitor your local media in an effort to ensure fair coverage of this weekend's meeting. Be sure to contact your local station manager to voice your objections to any biased coverage of this event. A LOOK AT THE STATES: Arizona: Tucson area members are encouraged to attend the first annual "Shooting for a Cure " for cystic fibrosis. The event will be held on Monday, May 21st, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., at the Tucson Rod & Gun Club. For more information on this event, please call 292-2776. Louisiana: The House passed HB 2442, NRA-supported right to carry reform legislation, and a similar reform bill, SB 886, has already passed the Senate. Members: please call your Senators and ask them to support HB 2442, and encourage your Representatives to pass SB 886. Missouri: The legislature adjourned, and the Senate failed to take final action on the House substitute for SB 176, right to carry legislation without a referendum requirement. We'll be back next session! New York: Next week, the Assembly may vote on A 6821, a New Jersey-style ban on semi-automatic firearms. Members: please contact your State Assemblymembers and ask them to oppose A 6821. Oklahoma: On Monday, May 22, the Senate will vote on the conference report on SB 3, NRA-supported right to carry legislation. Members: please contact your State Senator Monday morning and ask them to support this bill. Oregon: The Senate Rules Committee approved HB 2784, NRA- supported legislation strengthening the state firearms preemption statute. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for consideration. Members: please call your State Senators and urge them to support HB 2784. South Carolina: The House approved HB 3730, NRA-supported right to carry legislation. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Members: please call your State Senators and ask them to support HB 3730. Tennessee: The House unanimously passed HB 259, an NRA-supported bill to strengthen the state firearms preemption statute. The measure now goes back to the Senate. Members: please call your State Senators and ask them to support HB 259. Texas: Major Victory! The state legislature approved NRA- supported right to carry legislation, which now awaits Gov. Bush's expected signature! NO JOKE: The May 22, issue of U.S. News & World Report contained an editors' clarification, which noted that in an attempt to report more accurately on firearms-related issues, they will no longer use the term "cop-killer" ammunition to describe hollow point rounds, and they will not use the categoric term "assault weapons" to describe military style semi-autos. Rather, the editors vowed to describe firearms by their function. Bravo, U.S. News! Make sure you pick up a copy and write the magazine with your compliments.