Newsgroups: talk.politics.misc From: [an 25970] at [anon.penet.fi] Subject: Victims Say No to Gun Control Date: Wed, 27 Apr 1994 13:44:36 UTC * Originally By: [C--a--g] at [mainstream.com] * Originally Re: Victims of Violence and G * Original Area: TlkPolGuns For Immediate Release Call Tom Wyld or Bill Powers April 22, 1994 NRA Public Affairs (703-267-3820) Media Availability VICTIMS OF CRIME -- AND GUN BANS -- LOBBY CAPITOL HILL Their target: The Schumer Gun Ban Their goal: Controlling Crime and Preserving their Constitutional Rights Washington, D.C. -- "Gun bans are the worst sort of practical joke," said Mrs. Tanya K. Metaksa, NRA chief lobbyist. "Citizens are fooled that bans protect them while law-abiding gun owners are threatened with imprisonment. Only criminals and politicians exit laughing." Mrs. Metaksa will be joined in Washington, D.C., next week by a number of law-abiding Americans who are victims of crime -- and victims of gun bans. All will visit Congressmen, and some will testify before the Subcommittee on Crime 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 25 (2237 Rayburn). Jacquie Miller of Louisville, Kentucky, was one of several workers shot four times by a man wielding a semiautomatic rifle at Standard Gravure in Louisville, Kentucky. She came within seconds of bringing her privately owned handgun to bear on the attacker. Still recovering from wounds that place her in a wheel chair, Ms. Miller remains a staunch self-defense advocate and believes that when guns are banned, criminals win -- and crime victims lose. When an intruder broke into his parents' home, Phil Murphy of Tucson, Arizona, merely chambered a round in his Colt AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. That was enough to hold a drug-riddled intruder at bay until police arrived. Now fighting Multiple Sclerosis, which makes ease of firearm operation a paramount concern, Phil Murphy is bound for Washington, D.C., to fight once more -- this time to defend his right to own the firearm of his choice. Believing Penny O'Hanlon of Riverside, California, possessed an "assault weapon" banned under state law, authorities arrested and prosecuted her. Despite a forensic expert who testified that her rifle, an SKS, was not an "assault weapon" banned under California law, the DA pressed the case against her, offering Ms. O'Hanlon jail time, even characterizing it as "a good deal." Ha ving won the fight for her freedom, Ms. O'Hanlon is coming to Washington to fight for her rights. Also bound for Washington, D.C., is Dr. Suzanna Gratia of Texas who believes that gun control kept her from her handgun at a time when she needed it most -- for defense of self and family. In Killeen, Texas, Dr. Gratia was dining with her parents at Luby's Cafeteria when patrons were attacked. Twenty-two were killed, including Dr. Gratia's parents. "I hope politicians have the nerve to tell Jacquie Miller or Dr. Gratia why more restrictions would help them defend themselves, when restrictions had failed them so tragically in the past," said Mrs. Metaksa. "I hope politicians can look Mr. Murphy in the eye and tell him why his gun is somehow evil, and I hope that can explain to Penny O'Hanlon why jail time is a good deal' for mere exercise of a constitutional right. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- To find out more about the anon service, send mail to [h--p] at [anon.penet.fi.] Due to the double-blind, any mail replies to this message will be anonymized, and an anonymous id will be allocated automatically. You have been warned. Please report any problems, inappropriate use etc. to [a--m--n] at [anon.penet.fi.]