Dear Senator:

As you know, Senator Bob Smith added a pro-gun amndment to the Commerce-State-Justice appropriations bill (S. 2260) back in July. Without the Smith language, the FBI will begin registering and taxing gun owners starting on December 1-- a situation which must not be allowed to occur!

Both Britain and Australia, in addition to U.S. jurisdictions such as California and New York City, have found that gun registration-- comparable to that proposed by the FBI and prohibited by the Smith amendment-- is the first step toward implementing an expansive gun ban.

The FBI's stated intent to retain a registry of America's gun owners for 18 months is only the tip of the iceberg. It is fairly clear that the information may be retained permanently on computer "backup" systems.

Thus, I would urge you-- as a member of the conference committee-- to please fight for the Smith amendment and make sure that it remains 100% intact.

The retention of this amendment is critical to the Second Amendment.

On behalf of the thousands of gun owners in your district that we represent, I would urge you to please vote "NO" on the conference report if any part of the Smith language has been watered down or removed. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Larry Pratt
Executive Director