shallit@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP (Jeff Shallit) (01/06/85)
In a previous posting, we saw how the NRA, which Karl Kleinpaste portrayed as being wholeheartedly against the Moynihan-Biaggi Bill, gave in on June 15, 1984, and came out IN SUPPORT of the bill. The story becomes even more interesting. First, an editorial from the Baltimore Sun, July 6, 1984, entitled "Cop-Killer Bullets": "Persistence does pay off. Recently the Reagan administration and the National Rifle Association caved in on the volatile issue of armor-piercing bullets. After three years of strenuously objecting to legislation that would outlaw ammunition that can (and has) penetrated even the bullet-proof vests of law-enforcement officers, the conservative president and gun lobby *agreed to support* [italics mine] legislation that forbids the manufacture and importation of armor-piercing bullets, except those intended for use by the U. S. military and state and local government agencies. "The legislation should quickly become law. There is strong support in Congress for it. "Probably the leading heroes in this drama are Representative Mario Biaggi and Senator Daniel P. Moynihan, both New York Democrats. Mr. Biaggi, a former policeman, has been especially dedicated to the effort to get cop-killer bullets out of the pistols of criminals. Handgun Control, Inc., a relatively new lobbying and public information organization, also deserves applause. "This demonstrates that private organizations and public opinion really can get things done. The administration and the NRA would probably still be effectively stonewalling this legislation if four leading law-enforcement groups had not banned together in demanding a law that would protect their members. They are the Police Executives Reserve Force, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs Association, and the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives. "We get exasperated with single-issue interest groups from time to time. However, here is an example of such groups exerting pressure on an issue that is of paramount importance to them--and also of importance to society. It is extremely unlikely that the efforts of the single-interest group on the other side of this issue--the NRA--could have been overcome except for Handgun Control, Inc., and the police organizations." More about this in my next posting. Stay tuned. Jeff Shallit University of Chicago
shallit@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP (Jeff Shallit) (01/06/85)
In the parts I and II, we examined the checkered history of the NRA with regard to the Moynihan-Biaggi bill to ban armor-piercing ammunition. Recall that the NRA reversed its position, and came out IN SUPPORT of this bill. Now, the latest deathless prose: "NRA Flip-Flop Kills Cop-Killer Bullet Bill" "Legislation to ban the deadly cop-killer bullet died in the last days of the 98th Congress because of the National Rifle Association's successful effort to defeat the bill. Ironically, in June, the NRA had given legislation to ban cop-killer bullets its full support. But in the frantic, final days of Congress, the NRA reversed its position, threatening retaliation at the polls against lawmakers who opposed its position. Because of the threats, the bill was pulled from consideration. "The legislation, originally introduced by Congressman Mario Biaggi (D-NY) and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) would have banned the manufacture, importation and sale of cop-killer bullets. EVERY MAJOR POLICE ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY WORKED FOR PASSAGE OF THE MOYNIHAN-BIAGGI BILL, BUT THE NRA REFUSED TO BACK IT. [Italics mine] In June, the Reagan Administration drafted a compromise measure which was embraced by the majority of the Congress, Handgun Control, Inc., and the police organizations. The NRA reluctantly agreed to support the measure. "However, as Congress came closer to adjourning, it became clear that the NRA's goal was to use the cop-killer bullet ban as a vehicle to pass its gun decontrol scheme. The NRA attempted to attach the McClure-Volkmer bill to the cop-killer bullet ban, stating that they would block passage of the cop-killer bullet bill unless the McClure-Volkmer bill was considered as part of the same package. "In the House, the NRA reversal came as a surprise to those who supported the bill. A source Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill's (D-Mass) office said the NRA's change of position created a dilemma for many Congressmen who wanted to vote for the bill. Many legislators were afraid to vote for a bill the NRA was against, particularly because they had received large campaign contributions from the NRA. "In the Senate, the scenario was much the same. Senator Moynihan offered a ban on cop-killer bullets shortly before the Senate adjourned for the year. As the voting begain, NRA lobbyists appeared outside the Senate chamber urging Senators to vote against the bill. "The police know that the NRA is responsible for killing the cop-killer ban. And they are angry. In an interview with the New York Daily News, Richard Boyd, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police said, ``...this is an officer-safety issue. I speak for 167,000 police officers, and I can tell you we're going to make it uncomfortable for the NRA.'' "Congressman Biaggi, who worked tirelessly for the passage of a cop-killer bullet ban, said, ``When a selfish and ruthless special interest [the NRA] can prevail over the rights of police officers to be protected from armor-piercing bullets, it represents a sham of the highest order.'' "Congressman William Hughes (D-NJ), who championed the bill through his Subcommittee on Crime, was equally outraged. In a statement on the House floor, Hughes said, ''Today we let down men and women in uniform throughout the country. It's a sad commentary on Congress.'' --- Washington Report, V. 10, No. 3 (December, 1984). So what is the McClure-Volkmer bill, and why did the NRA attempt to attach passage of the Moynihan-Biaggi bill to it? More on this later. Jeff Shallit University of Chicago
shallit@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP (Jeff Shallit) (01/06/85)
In my previous postings, I have tried to show the REAL circumstances surrounding the Moynihan-Biaggi bill (to ban cop-killer bullets) and the NRA's response. 1. Kleinpaste implied that the NRA was consistent and accurate in its opposition of Moynihan-Biaggi. This is false. The NRA changed its position at least twice, and attempted to connect passage of Moynihan-Biaggi to the infamous McClure-Volkmer bill, which the Washington Post called "Mail-order murder--NRA style". 2. Kleinpaste stated that no cops have been killed by cop-killer bullets. This is false (see Baltimore Sun editorial previously posted). 3. Kleinpaste implied that the Fraternal Order of Police came out against Moynihan-Biaggi. This is false (see statement by Richard Boyd, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police previously posted). 4. Kleinpaste stated that police across the nation were angered by HCI's discussion of the cop-killer bullet issue. This is false. Four of the largest police organizations in the country came out IN FAVOR of Moynihan-Biaggi. Here are some excerpts from letters from police officers to HCI: "I **belonged** [italics his] to the NRA. I was so upset that I wrote them a letter and cancelled my membership. This country has so much already working against police officers that it is pitiful. There was no way I could belong to such an organization." "Obviously, the NRA does not respect the basic right of police officers to stay alive." Moral of this sad and sordid affair? Don't trust the NRA for all the facts when it comes to firearms legislation. Jeff Shallit University of Chicago
bwm@ccice2.UUCP (Brad Miller) (01/09/85)
bullet-proof vests? Brad Miller -- ...[rochester, cbrma, rlgvax, ritcv]!ccice5!ccice2!bwm