(Tuesday, June 13, 2000) — The moment of truth has arrived. Clinton’s illegitimate grab of power will go on trial as early as tomorrow in the House of Representatives.

Pro-gun Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN) is taking aim at gun control policies imposed by President Clinton this past March when his Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agreed to back door gun control with firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson.

The Clinton & Wesson pact regulates and restricts the sales of ALL firearms sold by dealers carrying S&W products — including Glocks, Berettas, Brownings, etc. Moreover, no gun can be sold by an S&W dealer until the FBI gives a definitive “yes” or “no.” Thus, if the FBI’s computers go down (like they did just a few weeks ago) no S&W dealer can transfer a firearm until the government’s computers go back online and the FBI gives its verdict.

Per the terms of the agreement, government bureaucrats will sit on an Oversight Commission, helping to enforce the Clinton & Wesson accord. Most notably, the commission will include BATF agents — a fact that should concern gun owners everywhere.

Rep. Hostettler plans to offer two amendments to the VA-HUD funding bill this week. One amendment will defund HUD’s ability to enforce the agreement. The other will stop HUD’s ability to “organize, implement, manage, promote, coordinate, or administrate” any gun control coalition efforts in which they are currently involved. (HUD has been helping to organize state and local officials in an anti-gun “Communities for Safer Guns Coalition.”)

ACTION: Please contact your Representative and urge him to SUPPORT the Hostettler amendments to the VA-HUD appropriations bill. (The bill is scheduled for debate tomorrow, even though it still does not have a bill number.)

Tell your Congressman it’s outrageous for the President to bypass Congress and impose gun control upon the people of this nation. Moreover, it’s outrageous that your tax dollars are helping organize anti-gun coalitions around the country. No more! Tell him you support Hostettler’s amendments 100 percent. The GOA Legislative Action Center is available at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm so you can locate and contact your Representative. The Capitol switchboard may be called toll-free at 1-888-449-3511, or at 202-225-3121.

Secret Searches Provision Pulled From The Bankruptcy Bill

GOA would like to thank activists for all their hard work in contacting their legislators during the last two weeks. Last month, GOA informed you about the “sneak and peek” provisions that could adversely affect your rights.

Well, Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA) told GOA last week that the secret searches provision has been pulled from the bankruptcy bill. This means that, to the best of our knowledge, the provision only remains in the Methamphetamine bill (H.R. 2987).

Gun owners should continue urging their Representatives to oppose this provision in ANY bill that should come to the floor of the House.

Finally, just one more piece of evidence that grassroots gun owners should NOT be ignored:

—– Pre-written message —–

Dear Representative:

When the VA-HUD appropriations bill comes up for debate, please support two amendments expected to be offered by Rep. John Hostettler that will benefit gun owners.

It is outrageous that President Clinton did an end run around Congress and imposed more gun control on the citizens of this nation. The gun control agreement between the Clinton administration and firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson regulates ALL FIREARMS SOLD by retailers who stock even a single Smith & Wesson model.

Moreover, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is encouraging state and local officials to become more aggressive in attacking the rights of gun owners.

Rep. Hostettler’s amendments will rein in HUD’s gun control agenda. The Clinton administration has no business bypassing the legislative branch in this arena.

Please let me know what you intend to do.

Sincerely,