Date: Mon, 12 Aug 1996 15:20:40 -0400
From: [T S Ben c h] at [aol.com]
To: Multiple recipients of list <[n--b--n] at [mainstream.net]>
Subject: Who woulda thunk it

Following is from the Washington Whispers section of the latest USN&WR....

Provided for your enjoyment....

TIME FOR A CHANGE

Handgun Control Inc., the lobbying group which helped push through the
federal ban on semiautomatic weapons and the Brady law on gun purchases, is
said to be worried that it is losing the public relations war to the National
Rifle Association and plans to hire a public relations fire to "reorient' its
message. it is also considering a name change because, among other reasons,
pools and focus groups show that many Americans are uncomfortable with the
word control. The organization plans to spend up to $100,000 for a 'new
message strategy' to better reflect its objectives, according to a detailed
memo on the proposed makeover. "We are not antigun, we are anti-gun
violence," HCI officials assert in the memo. Calling for an "effective and
aggressive response" to the gun lobby, it said the NRA has successfully
convinced many voters that gun control does not work. The group has so far
not hired a public relations firm, says Robert Walker, handgun Control's
legislative director, and has made no final decision on a name change.

End of blurb.

Regards,
TSBench