Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!gargoyle!shallit 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