Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns From: [k--tc--l] at [netcom.com] (Kenneth C. Mitchell) Subject: Re: ATF/Brady denials? Date: Sat, 24 Sep 1994 05:42:00 GMT OFFICIALS ABUSE BRADY LAW An Associated Press Report in The Tampa Tribune on August 2, 1994, on the "success" of the Brady Law reports that during the first 100 days under the new law about 5% of prospective gun buyers were barred from purchasing firearms. Treasury secretary (BATF) Lloyd Bentson, told the press, "The law has punished those it meant to punish: the criminals... We stopped them from buying guns and, and we probably stopped them from committing some terrible crimes." The word "CRIMINAL" takes on a whole new meaning when the anti-gunners want to block firearms sales. We recently were made aware of a memorandum from Dennis Garrett, Police Chief of Phoenix, Arizona, responding to a request from Phoenix Councilman John Nelson for a breakdown of offenses that were used in turning down firearms purchases by the Arizona Crime Information center ACIC) and the City of Phoenix. Chief Garrett reported on the week of March 28 - April 3, 1994 and in his memorandum reported that by and large, most of the turndowns were for "Failure to Appear" for various offenses. The list of 35 turndowns included the following: 10 Driving with a suspended or canceled license (misdemeanor) 4 DUI (Driving under the influence) 1 Discharge of firearm in city 4 Bad checks (misdemeanor) 1 Vehicle Insurance suspended (misdemeanor) 2 Fictitious Registration (misdemeanor) 1 False reporting misdemeanor 1 Disorderly conduct (misdemeanor) 2 Assault (misdemeanor) 1 Speeding 2 Trespass 1 Fishlng without License 1 Dog license violation These 31 turndowns are hardly hardened criminals and they are not felons, yet their right to purchase a firearm was illegally denied. The remaining 4 turndowns were two for felony drug possession and two for Larceny Those of us who opposed the Brady Bill argued that if the bill passed it would become a tool of abuse -- DIDN'T TAKE LONG DID IT? -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kenneth Mitchell |"Since police started keeping statistics, we now know 8037 Stone Canyon Cir|that assault weapons are/were used in an underwhelming Citrus Heights, CA |0.026 of 1% of crimes in New Jersey. This means that my 95610 |officers are more likely to encounter an escaped tiger 916-449-9152 (vm) |from the zoo than to confront an assault weapon in the 916-729-0966 (fax) |hands of of a drug-crazed killer on the streets...." [k--tc--l] at [netcom.com] |Joseph Constance, Dep. Police Chief, Trenton, NJ finger for PGP public| key! |Number of assault rifle murders in DC in 1992: ZERO -----------------------Don't Tread On Me!------------------------------------