Subject: Clinton Vs. Gun Shows

I've had it up to here with the defeatist attitude I've been reading in this NG and others concerning the recent Klinton assault on gun shows. You've been asked to write a letter to BATF by Dec. 7 stating your views, but no! I've read "why bother?" "BATF will only throw it away?" "Republicans will only roll!" "It's a done deal!" You people infuriate me. You are the reason we are in such dire straight, NOT the NRA or GOA or whatever. Y O U. The politicians listen to the voice of the people, for better or worse.

Get Off Your Ass!

Write the letter, and do it now, or stand by to watch gun shows go down the crapper. Also call your representative (the switchboard number is 202.224.3121, tell the operator your ZIP code and you'll get your congresscritter).

And, to make it easier for the defeatists among us, you can even copy my letter, below...while you're at it, JOIN THE NRA.

-- my letter, below --
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Attn: Gun Shows
650 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 7400
Washington DC 20226

Dear Sir:

A "gun show" is an event at which federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) assemble under one roof to engage in business. The sale of firearms at gun shows are subject to the identical federal and state laws that apply in any other situation. There are no exceptions whatsoever to this rule. This means that any firearm bought or sold at a gun show must comply with the following laws:

1. Federal Law which prohibits an FFL from selling a handgun or handgun ammunition to anyone under age 21, and long guns to anyone under the age 18;
2. Federal Law which prohibits the sale of a handgun to a resident of another state, and sale of long guns to that person if it would violate that state's laws. Furthermore, FFLs may sell only in gun shows in their state;
3. Federal Law that prohibits the sale of any firearm to any person who may not possess a firearm (felons, fugitives, etc.).
4. Federal Law that prohibits FFLs from selling any firearm or ammunition known to be stolen.

Note that "private dealers" do not, have not, and cannot sell firearms at gun shows. There is no such thing as a "private dealer." Private dealers are illegal under federal law. This is because federal law requires that all dealers be federally licensed. Specifically, federal law requires that "anyone who devotes time, attention, and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principle objective of livelihood and profit through repetitive purchase and resale of firearms" must possess an FFL.

If there is a problem with criminals purchasing firearms at gun shows it is because existing laws are not being enforced. Enforcing existing laws will deter gun abuses, not more laws concerning gun shows.

Consider the success of the Project Exile program implemented in Richmond, Virginia. Project Exile is an anti-crime program that has been successfully implemented in several cities across America. The program, which was the topic of a June 18, 1998 article in the Washington Post, imposes automatic five year sentences on felons caught carrying guns. The program is being credited by Richmond police with helping to dramatically cut the city's homicide and armed robbery rates. The idea behind the program is simple: To get guns out of the hands of those who are caring them illegally, felons who are most likely to use the weapons in the commission of a crime.

Congressman Goode of Virginia noted the success of enforcing existing laws in comments he made when addressing the House of Representatives (Congressional Record, June 25, 1998, Page: H5388).

Congressman Goode noted that NRA President Charlton Heston told a national television audience that "in less than a year, they reduced deaths, murders, in the city of Richmond by half" through the Exile project.

Handgun Control Chairman Sarah Brady, in a letter to the U.S. attorney said: "Your work is succeeding in getting guns out of the hands of criminals . . .

The results in Richmond are impressive." Cynthia L. Price, a Richmond police spokeswoman, said Exile has had a profound effect on the number of violent crimes and the nature of those offenses, leading to far fewer instances in which guns are drawn in anger. "It's a great program," Price said.

More laws and regulations or shutting down gun shows will do nothing to stop criminals from misusing firearms. You will only continue to hurt and hinder people like me - the honest, law abiding citizen. The Clinton Administration should - must - enforce existing gun laws before imposing more of a burden on the American People.

Respectfully,

(me)

To: GlockWorld,
I don't know what got into me [message above], but after reading a long thread on a rec.guns post along the lines of "...we're all whipped..." I just could not take it anymore. For Pete's sake, man! We're 70,000,000 strong! Yet, I would guess that all the membership in all the RKBA organizations in the US might total...what...perhaps 4,000,000? And of that 4,000,000, how many do you think would even WRITE A LETTER.

When I was at the NRA convention in Philly this past June, I saw a video that showed what happened in the UK when the Brits passed the gun ban. Lines of subjects, blocks long, standing quietly waiting to turn over their guns to the government for destruction. Sheep! It only happened because the people did not care -- until it was too late.

It CAN happen here, by God, if we let it. And you know what? If we do let it, than so be it, for we will have squandered an essential liberty for want of passion. I hoped to convey that frustration (and anger) in my post.

Thanks for taking the time to write to me. Perhaps we'll meet on the range one of these days?

Sincerely,

Tony Vanchieri, NRA Life Member
marksman223@juno.com
Your comments are welcome.