National Alerts

Clinton, The Crime Bill, And Compromise

Written by Gun Owners of America Published: 14 March 2000

The Washington Times Hits the Nail on the Head — Insightful article shows how close we are to getting major gun control

(Tuesday, March 14, 2000) — The Washington Times today correctly points out how close gun owners are to getting major new gun control as part of the juvenile injustice bill. Many of the players on opposite sides of the gun control table are actually VERY close in principle, even though the public-shouting matches might indicate otherwise.

In his article entitled, “Differences few in bitter debate on gun legislation,” Sean Scully noted:

At the heart of the rhetorical battle between pro- and anti-gun forces lies a truth neither side likes to concede: They are in almost complete agreement on almost every issue.

The two sides agree on the basics of a new package of gun-control legislation: requiring the sale of trigger locks with all handguns, banning all large-capacity ammunition clips and magazines, and preventing youths younger than 18 from possessing certain semiautomatic weapons. They even agree on the notion that all buyers at gun shows should be subject to background checks, just like buyers at regular gun stores….

Both the National Rifle Association and President Clinton — who normally agree on little else — endorsed congressional bills that included these provisions last year. And even though they were on the same side on most of the proposed regulations, Mr. Clinton and the NRA are engaged in an increasingly bitter public dispute over gun control in recent days….

Indeed, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the chairman of the conference committee dealing with the juvenile crime bill conference, stated last week that, “if we could put the gun show provision aside I think we’d have a bill. But we can’t get the other side to do that so far.” Let’s hope Clinton doesn’t wake up and realize just how close his gun position is to that of the compromisers in Congress.

In the meantime, you can be sure that Gun Owners of America is 100% opposed to ALL of the anti-gun provisions in the crime bill, and will continue to fight this bill tooth and nail.

ACTION: Oppose the gun vote in the House. The House gun vote we alerted you to last week was postponed, but it could resurface this week. The White House is telling reporters the vote is tomorrow, although House Republicans disagree. Whatever the case, it’s important that your Representatives hear from you!

Ask them to OPPOSE the Rep. Zoe Lofgren “motion to instruct” the conferees on the juvenile crime bill (H.R. 1501). Tell them you don’t want the anti-gun bill to leave the conference committee.

A White House spokesman today stated he hopes the Lofgren motion will send “a very important message” and push the juvenile gun bill out of the committee. Make sure your Reps. get the right message. Let them know you oppose every 2nd Amendment infringement in the juvenile bill. You can call your Congressmen at 1-888-449-3511 (toll free) or at 202-224-3121.

NOTE: There has been a buzz on the internet regarding S. 2099, a bill that would treat handguns like machine guns for purposes of registering and taxing them. While this bill is terribly bad, please save your lobbying “ammunition”! That bill is not going anywhere right now — and probably won’t see any action at all this year. The battle at the present time is the juvenile crime bill, which is just a breath away from the President’s desk. Keep up the heat!

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