Date: Sat, 10 Aug 1996 11:37:53 -0400 From: NRA Alerts <[a--er--s] at [nra.org]> To: Multiple recipients of list <[r k ba alert] at [mainstream.net]> Subject: FAXALERT: New Study Proves It: Right to Carry Works X-Comment: RKBA Alerts list NRA-ILA FAX ALERT 11250 Waples Mill Road * Fairfax, VA 22030 Phone: 1-800-392-8683 * Fax: 703-267-3918 * [G--OO--S] at [NRA.org] Vol. 3, #33 8/9/96 NEW STUDY PROVES IT: RIGHT TO CARRY WORKS 1,570 of the murders and 4,177 of the rapes that have occurred yearly since 1992 could have been prevented if all 50 states had adopted "right to carry" laws at that time and allowed law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for self defense. Those are among the findings by University of Chicago School of Law professor John Lott, Jr. in his landmark study of "right to carry" laws released this week. Entitled "Crime, Deterrence, and Right-to-Carry Concealed Handguns," Prof. Lott's thorough study compared the crime rates in states that allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms with those that do not, and found that crime fell measurably when states made it legal to carry concealed handguns, proving what many of us have known all along -- that armed citizens deter criminals. Lott also found that contrary to the claim of the anti-gunners, there is no significant rise in accidental shootings when law-abiding citizens are allowed to legally carry firearms. The facts provided in this important study will help NRA-ILA and state volunteers pass right to carry laws next year in states like Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio and Wisconsin. Look for NRA-ILA's anaylsis of the study in an upcoming issue of the American Rifleman and the American Hunter. HOUSE PASSES ANTI-TERRORISM BILL: On a 389-22 vote, the House last Friday passed anti-terrorism legislation that does not require the placement of "taggants" in black and smokeless powders. Despite heavy pressure from the Clinton White House and anti-gunners on Capitol Hill (who were pushing to "criminalize the possession of untagged black and smokeless powder") lawmakers refused to mandate the use of taggants, calling instead for a federal study to investigate the questions that NRA and members of the explosives industry have raised about the microscopic plastic tracers. As was reported last week, the study will examine the risk posed by taggants to human life and safety as well as what, if any, law enforcement benefits are offered by adding taggants to black and smokeless powders. Needless to say, anti-gunners looking to score political points off the issue were not pleased with the final version of the House bill, and have vowed to re-introduce taggants language in the Senate when it takes up the issue in September. Members: With Congress in recess until September, please call your Senators' district offices & demand an INDEPENDENT scientific study of taggants. For a fact sheet on the issue, call 1-800-392-8683. NCIPC FUNDING DEBATE SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER: The Senate Labor, Health & Human Services subcommittee will take up the issue of tax-payer funded anti-gun research when the Senate returns from summer recess in September. While we were successful in stripping funding for biased "research" by the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) in the House, the gun-grabbers have vowed to restore that funding in the Senate. Members: Please call your Senators and urge them to oppose funding for NCIPC's anti-gun "research". LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION FUNDING IN JEOPARDY: Funding for the Commission on the Advancement of Federal Law Enforcement is in jeopardy in the Senate. You'll recall that just last month, the House voted to approve funding for this long-sought commission to examine the practices and policies of federal law enforcement agencies in the wake of the Ruby Ridge and Waco disasters. Well, prior to the Senate's adjourning for the summer, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) quietly killed the funding. Rest assured, however, that we will work to restore funding when the Senate convenes in September -- and you can help! Members: Please call your Senators and urge them to support funding for the Commission on the Advancement of Federal Law Enforcement. COURT UPHOLDS "THREE STRIKES" LAW: Washington state's "three strikes, you're out" law, the first of its kind and a model for many similar laws in other states, was upheld by the state's Supreme Court on Thursday. The court rejected arguments from three men sentenced to life under the law who claimed it was unconstitutional. The law, which passed with the help of NRA CrimeStrike, mandates life sentences for repeat violent criminals. FLORIO WEIGHING COMEBACK: Brace yourselves, New Jersey gun owners. Rumors have surfaced that former governor Jim Florio is considering a run for governor in 1997. Florio, a strong supporter of "gun control," led the fight to pass the state's ban on so-called "assault weapons," on which Bill Clinton based his own 1994 gun and magazine ban. While state Democratic leaders are wary of a Florio return, word has it that he has considerable support among the party's rank and file. Stay tuned! ELECTION SEASON IS ALMOST HERE: With summer winding down, the 1996 campaign season is just beginning to heat up. NRA is committed to electing pro-freedom, pro-Second Amendment majorities in the House and Senate this November -- but we'll need your help! The NRA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) in your district is looking for volunteers in your area to help with the campaign efforts of pro-gun lawmakers. Watch your mailbox next week for the September issue of your American Rifleman/American Hunter magazine, which will give you the name & number of your EVC and then make the call! =+=+=+=+ This information is provided as a service of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA. This and other information on the Second Amendment and the NRA is available at: http://WWW.NRA.Org