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From: shallit@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP (Jeff Shallit)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: The NRA and Moynihan-Biaggi (part III)
Message-ID: <278@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 6-Jan-85 12:03:29 EST
Article-I.D.: gargoyle.278
Posted: Sun Jan  6 12:03:29 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 7-Jan-85 03:24:40 EST
Reply-To: shallit@gargoyle.UUCP (Jeff )
Organization: U. Chicago - Computer Science
Lines: 71
Summary: 

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