Wednesday, May 7, 1997

CONGRESS MUST REPEAL THE GUN FREE ZONES ACT. As you know, there were two gun control provisions that passed as part of the omnibus spending bill last year. Rep. Helen Chenoweth has tackled the first provision — the Lautenberg gun ban — and has introduced the only bill in Congress that will fully repeal the ban. Her repeal bill, H.R. 1009, now has 21 cosponsors.

But there has still been no bill introduced in either house of Congress to repeal the other provision that passed as part last year’s spending bill. That provision was the Gun Free Zones act. This onerous law creates a virtual one-half mile wide “gun free” circle around every school in America (or about a 1,000 foot zone going in any one direction from any school in the country).

Many Congressional offices feel there is no interest in repealing the law. The common refrain seems to be: “We haven’t heard anything from the grassroots on this.”

ACTION: It’s time for the grassroots to speak up! Clip-out and fax the message below, or better yet, rewrite it and fax it to your Representatives and Senators. You can also call them at 1-800-962-3524, 1-800-972-3524, or 202-225-3121. Voice, fax, and e-mail contact info is available at House and Senate on the GOA Website.

Dear Representative __________________________:

I urge you to introduce a bill repealing the Gun Free Zones act that was sponsored by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) last year. This law is completely unconstitutional, as evidenced by the fact that the Supreme Court struck down almost identical language in U.S. v. Lopez (1995). The people have not given Congress any authority in the Constitution to put limits on where citizens may lawfully exercise their right to bear (carry) arms.

According to Alan Korwin, author of Gun Laws of America, there are 112,000 schools in the country — meaning there are now a like number of gun free zones. Supporters of the law claim that “generous exceptions” will allow people to still carry within these zones. But in reality, these so-called exceptions treat our rights as mere privileges. People cannot carry within 112,000 gun free zones unless they have fulfilled one of the government-ordained exceptions to the law. Why should I have to jump through the government’s hoops to exercise a right that is recognized by the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights?

Supporters of the law claim we need this law to protect America’s children. But where has gun control ever worked to protect children? In Washington, D.C.? In New York City? These jurisdictions have city-wide bans and even that hasn’t stopped crime from rising. All gun control does is keep law-abiding citizens disarmed, and thus, give the criminals a safer working environment.

I hope that you will stand up for my gun rights. In doing so, you will have the Constitution on your side. You will have the Second Amendment on your side. You will even have the Supreme Court on your side. I urge you to introduce a bill to repeal this onerous law. Please let me know what you intend to do.