From: [m--ta--s] at [ix.netcom.com] (Plowshares my ass! )
Newsgroups: rec.guns,talk.politics.guns
Subject: De-milling Halted by Defense Appropriations Bill
Date: 6 Dec 1995 10:57:55 -0500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For further information:
December 1, 1995 NRA Public Affairs
703-267-3820
NRA HALTS CLINTON GUN DESTRUCTION CAMPAIGN
Millions of guns destroyed --
including rare $13,000 firearm -- at taxpayer expense
Fairfax, Virginia -- A firearms destruction program that has cost
American tax dollars and American history ended last night when
President Bill Clinton signed the Department of Defense
appropriations bill.
Backed by the National Rifle Association of America, a provision in
the appropriations bill imposes a moratorium on a DoD "de-mill"
operation that has destroyed numerous firearms sought after by
historians and collectors. Among the estimated 3 million firearms
destroyed since President Clinton took office are M1 Garands, M1
Carbines, Model 1911 pistols and .22 caliber training rifles.
"Although the destruction has ceased, history remains the casualty
of President Clinton's culture war against the American gun owner,"
said Mrs. Tanya K. Metaksa, Executive Director, NRA Institute for
Legislative Action. According to sources, between July 21 and 31,
DoD destroyed 19,000 .22 caliber rifles, including brand new Kimber
22 training rifles that never left their boxes. Between August 1
and September 30, DoD destroyed a total of 110,000 M1s, more than
500 Stevens 520 shotguns and an unknown number of 1911 and 1911A1
pistols.
Included in the destruction was a rare variant of the venerable
M1911A1 pistol. "Only 500 of these guns were made by Singer in
1942," explained Mrs. Metaksa. "This was an effort by the sewing
machine manufacturer to assist the nation's war effort. We know at
least one Singer -- worth as much as $13,000 -- was destroyed at
taxpayer expense."
"These firearms had a story to tell about technology, our military,
our country's war effort, our nation itself," she said. "The
destruction of American history has been stopped, but American
history has been lost as well."
Daily, thousands of firearms were crunched by a machine in
Anniston, Alabama, known colloquially as "Cap'n Crunch" or by a
device at a Birmingham facility called a "chipper" which destroyed
the entire firearm including shipping box, sling and cleaning kit.
"Americans who value their history should be grateful to Senator
Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) who shepherded this provision through the
U.S. Senate," she said.
-- nra --
=+=+=+=+
This information is provided as a service of the National Rifle
Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA.
--
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1995 FLHR, 1993 XLH 1200 Anniv. Mod., 1976 Bronco
"Three fingers whiskey's the pleasure of drinkers,
and moving does more than the same thing for me.
Willy he tells me the doers and thinkers
say moving's the closest thing to being free."
-Billy Joe Shaver
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