Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 01:46:56 -0500 (EST)
From: NRA Alerts <[a--er--s] at [NRA.ORG]>
To: Multiple recipients of list <[r k ba alert] at [mainstream.net]>
Subject: GRASSFIRE: Second Amendment Majority Maintained in U.S. Congress
NRA GRASSFIRE!
The Newsletter For NRA-ILA Volunteers
November 1996 Vol. 2., No. 11
SECOND AMENDMENT MAJORITY
MAINTAINED IN U.S. CONGRESS
The 1996 campaign season came to an end on November 5 with
mixed results for America's gun owners. While voters returned to
both houses of Congress pro-gun majorities, they also gave the
most anti-gun president in United States history four more years
in the White House and gave victories to several high profile
anti-gun lawmakers.
In the House of Representatives, voters defied the pundits and
pollsters by re-electing 92% of the lawmakers who voted to repeal
the Clinton gun and magazine ban - a clear signal that despite
the claims of the "mainstream" media about supposed support for
the ban among the American people, most still prefer lawmakers
who support true crime fighting measures rather than additional
restrictions on law-abiding citizens.
One of Election Day's biggest stories was the success of
freshman pro-gun Congressmen who had been targeted for defeat by
special interest groups allied with President Clinton. Despite a
more than $35 million media campaign against them, lawmakers such
as Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), Van Hilleary
(R-Tenn.), Jon Christensen (R-Neb.) and John Hostettler (R-Ind.)
rode their support of gun owners' rights to victory,
demonstrating once again that while money is unquestionably
important in politics, nothing can replace the kind of support at
the grassroots level that each of these candidates received from
NRA members in their communities. Overall, of the pro-Second
Amendment freshmen targeted by the pro-Clinton special interests,
a majority overcame the attacks with support from local gun
owners.
The many pro-Second Amendment stalwarts who were returned to
the House will soon get fresh reinforcements thanks to victories
by several newcomers such as Representatives-elect Jim Ryun (R-
Kan.), Vince Snowbarger (R-Kan.) and John Thune (R-S.D.). We can
expect the incoming freshmen pro-gunners to join right in with
pro-Second Amendment veterans such as Bill McCollum (R-Fla.), Bob
Barr (R-Ga.), Gerald Solomon (R-N.Y.), who were all re-elected by
wide margins.
While a pro-gun majority will remain in the 105th Congress,
gun owners did suffer some setbacks in the House. With the
defeat of Rep. Harold Volkmer (D-Mo.), we lost a friend and
staunch ally. Throughout his 20 years in the House of
Representatives, Rep. Volkmer stood as one of the strongest
supporters of our Second Amendment rights, often defying heavy-
handed pressure from his party's leadership to do what he firmly
believed was right. Another disappointment for the gun owning
community was the election of Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.).
Over on the Senate side, the results were even more favorable
for gun owners, as several new advocates of our Second Amendment
freedoms were elected to replace some less enthusiastic
supporters and downright enemies of our firearms freedoms. Among
the new Senators to be seated this January in the upper chamber
are staunch pro-gunners Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Tim Hutchinson
(R-Ark.), Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Sam
Brownback (R-Kans.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chuck Hagel (R-
Neb.), and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.). The winner in the race for the
open Senate seat from Oregon between NRA-PVF endorsed candidate
Gordon Smith (R) and anti-gunner Tom Bruggere (D) was too close
to call at press time.
Regardless of the result in the Smith-Bruggere race, gun
owners will continue to enjoy a pro-Second Amendment majority in
the Senate in the 105th Congress. What's more, the agenda during
the next Senate session will be set by Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.),
a strong and unwavering ally of gun owners who will be serving
his first full term as Senate Majority Leader.
While gun owners fared very well on Election Day 96, by no
means do our victories signal an end to the assaults on our
freedoms. The re-election of President Bill Clinton and the
election of several high-profile anti-gunners means gun owners
can expect continued stepped-up attacks on our rights over the
course of the next two years, and cannot afford to let our guard
down even for one moment. Stay tuned for the December issue of
NRA Grassfire, where we'll discuss what we can expect from the
105th Congress!
STATE RESULTS SUGGEST GUN
OWNERS FARE WELL NATIONWIDE
Although at press time results from the thousands of state
legislative races that took place across the country were still
trickling in, it appears gun owners are poised to be in a
position to continue our push for pro-gun reforms -- including
the enormously successful right to carry laws now in effect in 31
states !
In North Carolina, NRA-PVF endorsed incumbent Governor Jim
Hunt (D) defeated his Republican challenger Robin Hayes by a 57%
- 42% margin. Thanks to the efforts and unyielding guidance of
Governor Hunt during last year's legislative session, North
Carolina became the 38th state to pass the NRA-backed firearms
preemption law, repealing restrictive local gun controls and
making firearms laws uniform statewide. Governor Hunt also
strongly supports citizens' right to self-defense and stands
ready to veto any attempt to repeal right to carry legislation
enacted under his watch.
Among other pro-Second Amendment incumbent Governor's to win
re-election were Governor Marc Racicot of Montana, Governor
Edward Schafer of North Dakota, Governor Mike Leavitt of Utah and
Governor Howard Dean of Vermont.
In West Virginia, former Governor Cecil Underwood returns
after 35 years to champion for the rights of gun owners once
again. This is in strong contrast to his anti-gun opponent
Charlotte Pritt, who while as a member of the House of Delegates,
voted not once, not twice, but four times, against placing before
the voters a Second Amendment for West Virginians and when the
constitutional right to keep and bear arms amendment was voted on
by the people of West Virginia in 1986, it received one of the
largest majority votes (85%) of any constitutional amendment. On
another note, the only member of the entire General Assembly to
vote against right to carry reform legislation last session,
State Senator David Grubb received a strong message from
citizens' about how they regard their right to self-defense by
voting him out of office. State Senator Grubb was replaced by
pro-gun Delegate Vic Sprouse.
NRA members in Texas turned out at the polls to re-elect
supporters of last year's right to carry bill and to boost our
pro-Second Amendment numbers in the legislature. In House
District 54, members helped deliver a strong victory to Suzanna
Gratia Hupp, who will be a powerful voice for our right to self-
defense in Austin. Suzanna is a survivor of the tragedy in
Killeen, Texas, where she watched helplessly as her parents were
murdered. Suzanna was instrumental in the passage of Texas'
right to carry law allowing law-abiding citizens the right to
defend themselves and their families outside the home. Stay
tuned for the December issue of NRA Grassfire for a more complete
run down on the 1996 state elections and for our 1997 legislative
outlook.
SCORE EIGHT FOR THE GOOD GUYS
With the November 5th ballot box passage of NRA-endorsed
Victim's Bill of Rights constitutional amendments in Connecticut,
Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina
and Virginia, victims of violent crime and their surviving family
members in 29 states now have a say in how "the system" handles
the crimes that changed their lives forever. All eight
amendments give victims the right to be informed of critical
stages of the prosecution -- such as sentencing and parole
decisions without trampling on the constitutional rights of
criminal defendants.
According to NRA CrimeStrike Director Elizabeth Swasey, "in
addition to serving the interest of justice for the victim,
victim's rights strengthen America's criminal justice system by
forcing judges and juries to see the impact of violent crime on
the person in the courtroom. And when they see that, judges and
juries focus on murderers and rapists -- not on Mossbergs and
Remingtons -- and put some teeth back into the enforcement of
existing law. This protects our families from violent crime, and
our firearms civil rights from gun-phobes who use our rights as a
scapegoat for crime."
ANIMAL EXTREMISTS FIND
VICTORY IN SEVERAL STATES
Hunters Win in Michigan and Idaho -- Lose Other Initiatives.
Hunters in Michigan and Idaho beat back the animal extremists by
defeating anti-hunting initiatives by strong numbers. However,
the news was not good in other states.
Voters in Massachusetts and Washington passed anti-hunting
initiatives supported by animal extremist groups like the Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Fund for Animals.
Voters in Colorado passed an anti-trapping initiative that will
severely hinder animal damage control efforts by landowners and
wildlife management professionals. Hunters also lost the effort
to pass an initiative in Oregon that would have ensured that
wildlife management decisions are made by state fish and wildlife
managers.
And if this news isn't disturbing enough, the NRA understands
that the extremists are already planning new attacks on hunting
in other states as well. Wayne Pacelle, Vice President for
Government Affairs of the HSUS has made his nationwide goal
clear, stating, "we have our eyes on the prize--an end to sport
hunting in America." Based on their successes, there is little
doubt that the animal extremists will put new initiatives on the
ballots in many states in future elections. These Election day
96 losses should wake up everyone in the hunting community -- it
is very clear that the animal extremists are gaining momentum and
are not going away. Deer hunters, duck hunters, upland bird
hunters --all hunters -- be aware, the animal extremists are
looking for new targets. Look for a more thorough examination of
the anti-hunting movement in an upcoming issue of the American
Rifleman and the American Hunter.
ATTENTION TEXAS! GET READY
FOR RUN-OFF ELECTIONS
While the election season has come to a close, many eyes are
still focused on three congressional races in the state of Texas.
Because of redistricting in several of the state's 30 U.S.
Congressional districts, the November 5th elections served
actually as primaries and a December 10 general election is now
going to determine the outcome.
NRA members in congressional districts 8 (Humble, College
Station, Conroe), 9 (Beaumont, Galveston) and 25 (Houston,
Pasadena) should keep an eye on their mailbox and an ear for the
telephone for the latest information and candidate endorsements
from the NRA Political Victory Fund. As we go to press it
appears that the match-ups are as follows: in District 8 -- Dr.
Gene Fontenot (R) vs. former state legislator Kevin Brady; in
District 9 -- pro-Second Amendment leader, Congressman Steve
Stockman vs. a very anti-gun challenger. Representative
Stockman has been endorsed by NRA-PVF, so all gun owners in this
district should consider getting involved with this important
election. The third race is in District 25 -- where anti-freedom
Rep. Ken Bentsen is trying to hold on to his seat against
businesswoman Dolly Madison McKenna (R). So stay tuned! NRA-ILA
is currently analyzing these races, and will provide you with
candidate information and NRA-PVF endorsements as soon as it
becomes available!
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL ELECTION
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS & YOU
Many of our biggest victories at the ballot box this year
would not have been possible without the crucial help and support
provided by our network of Election Volunteer Coordinators (EVCs)
around the nation. In many close and important races, NRA EVCs
and their volunteers literally made the difference between
success and failure for pro-gun candidates.
Developed in 1994, the EVC program helps gun owners get
involved in the campaigns of pro-gun candidates by giving them
local contacts right in their own communities. This year, our
EVCs worked with hundreds of campaigns, signing up volunteers to
walk precincts, stuff envelopes, attend rallies, make phone calls
- whatever needed to be done to get supporters of our Second
Amendment rights elected. And as you know, the results were
tremendous. Over 80% of NRA-PVF endorsed candidates were elected
on November 5, including an astonishing 92% of those lawmakers
who voted to repeal the Clinton gun and magazine ban in the House
of Representatives earlier this year.
One of the most impressive efforts was that of George Dovel,
EVC in Idaho's 1st congressional district. When George signed on
as the EVC for his district, the outlook was not very good. Pro-
gun Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth (R) had been targeted by pro-
Clinton special interest groups for defeat; pro-gun Senator Larry
Craig (R) was locked in a tight battle for re-election; and an
anti-hunting initiative threatened the rights of the state's
sportsmen. Undaunted, George persevered, and when the votes were
tallied on November 5, both Rep. Chenoweth and Sen. Craig had won
decisive victories and the anti-hunting initiative was soundly
rejected by 60% of Idaho voters. It's no wonder why George was
recently elected president of the Idaho Shooting Sports Alliance.
Gun owners in Pennsylvania owe a debt of gratitude to Scott
Delaney, EVC in that state's 15th district. Scott didn't wait
for the general election to jump in, in fact, he went to work
back in April to see that gun owners in his area would have a
pro-Second Amendment representative in the 105th Congress. With
the help of many gun owners in his community, Scott helped
orchestrate a stunning defeat in the Republican primary. Pro-
gunner Bob Killbanks, a political novice, defeated many better-
known politicians to win the nomination and went on to give the
incumbent anti-gunner Rep. Paul McHale (D) a tough fight.
Unfortunately, McHale was re-elected, but Scott helped serve
notice to the district of what gun owners can do when they set
their minds to it.
In New Jersey, where gun owners always have an uphill battle
against the state's anti-gun establishment, the Coalition of New
Jersey Sportsmen (CNJS) scored two big wins and sent one
important message to the state's political leaders: support the
rights of law-abiding gun owners 100% of the time or you won't
get their critical support on Election Day. CNJS volunteers
turned out in droves to help pro-gun Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R) and
Mike Pappas (R) during their campaigns. CNJS volunteers stuffed
envelopes, operated phone banks, and canvassed neighborhoods to
help Rep. LoBiondo and Mr. Pappas - and on Election Day, they
supported them at the polls, propelling both to victories over
anti-gun opponents. CNJS' support of Rep. LoBiondo and Mr.
Pappas was in stark contrast to their lack of support for
Republican senate nominee Dick Zimmer. While Zimmer had at one
time supported gun owners' rights, he had recently abandoned his
pro-gun positions in the name of political expediency. Zimmer
paid a dear price. Not only did gun owners not volunteer to help
his campaign, but they failed to support him at the ballot box as
well. CSNJ put all New Jersey politicians on notice that support
from the state's gun owners should never be taken for granted,
and that no party has a monopoly on our votes. Unfortunately,
space constraints prohibit us from mentioning every single EVC
and grassroots volunteer who helped elect pro-gun lawmakers this
election season. Our success would not have been possible
without you, and we thank you for all your time and efforts!
NOMINATIONS FOR 1996
NRA-ILA VOLUNTEER AWARDS
Nominations are now being accepted for the 1996 NRA-ILA
volunteer awards. If you know of a group or an individual who
has gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect and
preserve our Second Amendment freedoms, be in the legislature, at
the ballot box, or both -- let us know by nominating them as the
NRA-ILA Volunteer or Volunteer Organization of 1996. All you
have to do is write a few lines as to why a group or individual
should be the 1996 NRA-ILA Volunteer of the Year. Be sure to
list specific accomplishments, i.e., worked to pass critical
right to carry legislation, helped elect pro-gun lawmaker to
Congress. All nominations must be received in writing by
December 31, 1996. Winners will be announced in the April issue
of NRA Grassfire, and the May issues of the American Rifleman and
the American Hunter. The official award presentation will be
made at the 1997 Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington. Send
your nominations to Catherine Grant, Director, NRA-ILA Grassroots
Division., 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030, or fax to
(703) 267-3918.
Permission to reprint all or portions of this publication
granted, duly noting "NRA Grassfire, November, 1996." .c 1996,
NRA Grassfire, NRA Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax,
Virginia 22030.
=+=+=+=+
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