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