07/95 HR 2020: BATF Increase

Call Your Representative Immediately!
House to Vote on BATF budget increase today

by Gun Owners of America

(Wednesday, July 19) — In a surprise move, the House of Representatives has bumped up the schedule for the BATF appropriations. Because your Representative will be voting on the BATF budget today, he needs to hear from you. The BATF budget is part of the Treasury appropriations bill and it contains a slight increase for the BATF — an outrageous proposition considering the abuses this agency has perpetrated. A full slashing of their funds is in order.

Several offices have given us the following information concerning the BATF projected budget. From the information we have received, the BATF will receive an increase in funding for 1996:

1995 current budget                               $385 million     
1996 budget (to be voted on today) $391 million
(The above figures do not include supplemental funds)

Here’s what to do:

* Call your Representative today (1-800-962-3524, 1-800-872-8513 or 202-225-3121) and ask him to oppose H.R. 2020, the Treasury appropriations bill. Tell him that it is outrageous to give the BATF an increase in funds when they deserve severe cuts — if not elimination. If you are able, list for them some of the victims of BATF abuse: the women and children in Waco, Harry and Theresa Lamplugh of Pennsylvania, Ken Ballew of Maryland, John Lawmaster of Oklahoma, etc.

Remind them that many independent sources have been extremely critical of the agency, including the following: the 1982 Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution report; 60 Minutes; the New York Times; and countless other media outlets.

* Call House Speaker Newt Gingrich to protest the timing of this vote. Why is Congress voting for the BATF budget before the Waco hearings can truly get under way? Are they trying to get this vote in “under the wire” — before the full scale criticism of the agency begins? This bill was not supposed to come up until Thursday of this week or sometime next week. This switch has completely taken the good offices off guard. Why the switch? (You can reach Mr. Gingrich’s office at 202-225-4501or call one of the 800 numbers listed above. His fax number is 202-225-4656.)

Note: the 800 numbers listed above may ring for a while. If you choose to use the free service, please be patient. They take a while to answer the phone.

This alert was posted by Gun Owners of America, 8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151, (703)321-8585, fax: 321-8408.