04/98 Feinstein’s Ban Is Retroactive

Feinstein Introduces Magazine Ban in Wake of Arkansas Shooting

by Gun Owners of America
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
(Friday, April 3, 1998)

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is back. On Tuesday, she introduced a bill that would supposedly “close the loopholes” in an earlier magazine ban which she sponsored– and which was enacted in 1994. Sen. Feinstein made her niche in the gun debate four years ago when she successfully pushed through the unconstitutional ban on gun magazines (manufactured after 1994) that can hold over 10 rounds. Her new bill (S. 1887) would ban ALL magazines over 10 rounds, irrespective of when they were manufactured. [A companion bill (HR 3609) has been introduced in the House by Colorado Democrat Diana DeGette.]

Proponents of the ban point to the fact that the two suspects in the Arkansas shooting had four large ammunition clips. Passing such a ban, they claim, would stop future “killing sprees.” Never mind the obvious fact that there are thousands upon thousands of such magazines already in existence. Passing such a ban would reduce these items to a black market existence, but certainly not make them unavailable. Furthermore, these magazines are protected by the Second Amendment and are a valuable asset to honest gun owners– just ask the merchants in Los Angeles who successfully used high capacity magazines to defend their families and stores during the 1992 mob riots.

Ironically, a shotgun can pump out more projectiles than can several high capacity magazines. Hunters beware! If you think they’re never going after your Winchester Model 12 shotgun or your Remington 1100, then think again. Both of these shotguns can fire six shells– each containing twelve .33 caliber pellets. Author Dave Kopel has noted that the above shotguns can fire these seventy-two projectiles in 2.5 seconds– “each one capable of causing injury or death.” By contrast, he says, an AKS would take about a minute to fire forty aimed shots (or perhaps twice that many without aiming).

ACTION: Urge your Senators (202-224-3121) to avoid legislating based on the lopsided coverage of gun issues in the news. Moreover, encourage them to stay clear of any knee-jerk reactions related to the Arkansas tragedy. Since the shooting, many legislators are calling for “lock-up your safety” trigger locks, which would make it increasingly difficult to quickly use a firearm in self-defense.

Congress looking to reverse Clinton’s Import Ban on Semi-autos

The Clinton administration still remains mum over whether to permanently ban several types of semi-automatics from being imported into the country. Clinton imposed a 120-day moratorium last November, but the deadline has since passed with no final word from the administration. There is an effort in Congress to defund any administrative attempt at keeping such firearms out of the country. If such a legislative “rider” were placed on an appropriation bill, the Clinton moratorium would, in effect, be repealed. GOA will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Incumbent Protection Bill goes down in flames!

On Monday, the House rejected the Incumbent Protection plan by a whopping 337-74 margin. If passed, this legislation could have severely “chilled” the free speech of groups like Gun Owners of America that represent your gun rights.

According to press reports, the Republican leadership crafted the bill, and the debate, in such a way that it “went down to pre-planned defeat.” Democrats were furious, denouncing the whole process as a “sham” and a “cynical maneuver.” Not to be outdone, they have filed a “discharge petition”– a parliamentary procedure that would, if successful, allow them to bypass the traditional committee process and secure votes on the Incumbent Protection bills they support.

Over 185 Representatives have already signed the discharge petition; and thus, only about 30 more signatures are needed to bring up the Democratic versions of the Incumbent Protection bills. Please stay tuned.