On Tuesday (2/24/98), Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) sent a warning shot to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Enzi fired off a letter to Hatch, charging that several of the provisions in the bill "would unduly restrict the rights of law-abiding gun owners and dealers."
After detailing these provisions -- many of which have been covered extensively in previous GOA fax/email alerts -- Sen. Enzi bluntly stated that,
I believe that the current version of S. 10 would unduly punish law-abiding citizens in its attempt to crack down on hardened criminals. As such, unless changes are made to S.10 to ensure that it will not be another vehicle for increased federal gun control . . . I will have to withdraw my name as a cosponsor of this legislation.
The current issue of U.S. News & World Report (3/2/98) discloses that Hatch's anti-gun crime bill is running into some stiff opposition. In an article entitled, "Gunning for Hatch," the magazine stated that:
[S. 10], which the GOP touts as 1998's big anticrime measure, is running into trouble. Gun Owners of America calls it "Hatch's Horror Bill," saying Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch would allow "crippling" suits against gun makers under anti-racketeering laws and would penalize parents harshly if children practice shooting without written approval. Conservative Sens. Wayne Allard, Conrad Burns, and Bob Smith have withdrawn support.
With a little noise from the grassroots, Senator Enzi could become the fourth one to withdraw!
One final note: GOA received a report today that yet another Senator will be soon announcing his withdrawal from S.10. GOA has yet been unable to confirm this report through the particular Senator's office, but we will keep you posted.