ASHCROFT:
<align=center>UNDER ATTACK FOR OBEYING THE LAW
Once again, shameless gun-ban extremists are using the specter of terrorism to promote their anti-gun agenda. The gun-ban lobby formally known as HCI and the obscure gun-ban organization known as the Violence Policy Center (VPC), along with numerous anti-gun editorialists, have all launched a coordinated attack on Attorney General John Ashcroft. This time, they object to him obeying the law!
Specifically, Ashcroft`s Department of Justice (DOJ) has stated that the records generated by the National Instant Check System (NICS) that do not result in an individual being denied the ability to purchase a firearm cannot be used for anything other than what the Brady Act—which established NICS—allows. The gun-ban community, however, insists that Ashcroft violate federal law by allowing non-denials through NICS to be used in a fishing expedition for possible connections to the attacks of September 11. In reality, however, gun-ban groups are using the issue to promote their agenda to expand NICS towards a national registration scheme of all law-abiding gun buyers.
While the gun-ban advocates at HCI and VPC demand federal law be violated—shamelessly invoking "homeland security" to advance their agenda—Ashcroft has stood his ground, and correctly stated the Brady Act forbids using records on transfers that are not denied through NICS for anything other than auditing the system. The Act, as passed in 1993, even includes language that calls for the destruction of all records of transfers that are not denied, although the law does allow for the retention and use of records on transfers that are denied. If any of the individuals who are currently being detained are prohibited from purchasing a firearm, and they were run through NICS, the system should have denied them. NRA fully supports prohibiting the illegal transfer of firearms to alleged terrorists, as well as any other prohibited individual. Unfortunately, NICS was designed and implemented by the anti-gun Clinton Administration, and it has serious flaws that must be corrected. The Bush Administration has committed to fixing the system, but in the meantime, the anti-gun community`s cynical attempt to force AG Ashcroft to violate federal law should be vociferously rejected.
KEEP VOICING YOUR OPPOSITION
<align=center>TO SHAMELESS ATTACKS ON GUN SHOWS
Similarly, anti-gun extremists continue to exploit legitimate fears over terrorism in the wake of the September 11 attacks by promoting their illegitimate attacks on America`s traditional and legal gun shows. While reports indicate law-abiding Americans are responding to concerns over the threat of terrorism by purchasing firearms and learning how to use them safely and responsibly in the defense of their families and themselves, anti-gun organizations such as Americans for Gun Safety (AGS) continue their relentless, well-funded assault on legal gun shows—the same shows where many law-abiding citizens go to purchase the firearms they wish to have to protect their loved ones. While polls continue to show that the vast majority of Americans still support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms, U.S. Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), among others, continue to promote legislation that would end gun shows as we know them today.
As we reported last week, a concerted assault on gun shows will be launched in January, if not sooner. NRA members and the rest of the pro-gun community must continue to contact their federal lawmakers to object to the passage of S. 890, the Lieberman-McCain bill, and S. 767, the Reed bill, as well as any other legislation that would end gun shows as they currently exist. Remind your elected officials that the war on terrorism will not be won by attacking the rights of American citizens. Existing laws that target the illegal purchase of firearms have already proven to be effective in catching suspected terrorists, so new laws that target legal gun shows are unnecessary. You can reach your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121. You can also find additional contact information by using our "Write Your Reps" tool.
STAY INFORMED & HELP SAVE ILA FUNDS
If you have an e-mail address, but you still receive the NRA-ILA FAX Alert every Friday via your fax machine, we encourage you to switch over to our e-mail system. We can send e-mail at virtually no cost, while each fax incurs the cost of a long distance call, not to mention your cost in paper. E-mail also allows you more flexibility in relaying our information to others. If you would like to switch to e-mail delivery, just use our "Sign Up For Email" tool. Once you start receiving our alerts via e-mail, call the Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683, and let us know we can take you off the fax system.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
NEW MEXICO
Texas State Representative Suzanna Gratia Hupp (R), a nationally-recognized advocate for Right to Carry, will be the guest speaker at the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association`s (NMSSA) annual meeting luncheon from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 8. The event will be held at the Ramada Inn at Hotel Circle (intersection of Eubanks & I-40), and there is a $15 fee. If you would like to attend, there are still a few seats available, so please RSVP to NRA-ILA EVC Charlie Weisleder by e-mail at [email protected] or at (505) 877-6128 before Saturday morning.
