GOA: Feinstein Planning to Offer Semi-auto Ban as an Amendment Soon

[Harry Tuttle]

Feinstein Planning to Offer Semi-auto Ban as an Amendment Soon
-- Please urge your Senators to oppose this effort

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org

Wednesday, June 2, 2004


Well, we knew this day would eventually come.

GOA has been warning gun owners that Democrat Senator Dianne
Feinstein of California would be looking for an avenue to attach her
gun ban to unrelated legislation sometime this year.

According to Senate sources, Feinstein will be making her move quite
soon.

While she reportedly has her eyes on a number of different bills as
possible vehicles for her amendment, it seems certain that she will
try to piggy-back her anti-gun language onto a legal reform bill
(such as S. 2062) within the next few weeks.

You will remember that when Feinstein offered her gun ban amendment
in March, it passed 52-47.

While a switch of only three Senators would be enough to kill the
amendment, it seems that the easiest way to defeat Feinstein will be
through a filibuster. Our side only needs 41 Senators to kill her
amendment through the art of filibuster, and it would appear that we
definitely have that many votes... BUT ONLY IF THE 47 SENATORS WHO
VOTED RIGHT LAST TIME CONTINUE TO HOLD THE LINE!

That’s why we need another barrage of phone calls and e-mails going
into Senate offices.

ACTION: Please contact your Senators and urge them to oppose any
Feinstein amendment to reinstate the semi-auto ban. Tell them to
also support any effort to filibuster this unconstitutional
legislation.

You can send the letter as an e-mail by visiting the GOA Legislative
Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm (where phone
and fax numbers are also available).

----- Pre-written letter -----

Dear Senator:

I have been alerted to the fact that Sen. Dianne Feinstein is
planning to offer the renewal of Clinton’s semi-auto ban as an
amendment to legislation in upcoming weeks.

I would join the voices of many other Americans who would urge you
to support our call for a filibuster against the reauthorization.

Please know that the Clinton semi-auto ban is one of the most hated
pieces of legislation ever enacted, and those who support its
reauthorization will find no friends or votes within the pro-gun
community.

Sincerely,


****************************

Pratt To Speak

Larry Pratt, Gun Owners of America’s Executive Director, will be
speaking at the Freedom Roast in Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, June
12.

This is a family event with attractions for the kids while the
parents are taking in the speeches or filling up on the free eats at
this gala hog roast.

Pratt will be available at the GOA tent when he is not at the
podium. His book and GOA membership applications will be available.

See http://www.freedomroast.us for more information.

****************************

 

[PATH]

The Senate can do whatever it likes but if the House does not pass it then it is not a happpening thing. The filibuster is an ace in the hole!

 

[TimRB]

Yes! Please, PLEASE write your senators to oppose this move. I would write to mine, but every time I do, they tell me to go **** myself. I apologize for my state.

Tim

 

[Foreign Devil]

What is this woman's obsession with harassing us?

She obviously doesn't even understand the issues that much, since she offered to let the magazine limit slide if the ban on features could be renewed.

Anyway I can't see this even getting out of committee with all the other stuff going on.

Our other "ace in the hole" should be a bill THEY consider atrocious to attach as a rider. That's what these people did to us isn't it.

 

[burbanite]

In my latest letter I approach my argument from this angle...



http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/5/24/171144.shtml


Jon E. Dougherty, NewsMax.com
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Is it possible for bad domestic law to be a detriment to our fighting forces overseas – even to the point of getting some soldiers killed? Absolutely, say veterans, who want lawmakers to fix the problem ASAP.
According to a report in the July issue of Soldier of Fortune magazine, many of the ammunition magazines for the M-16/M-4 family of rifles used by troopers, along with 9 mm magazines for sidearms, are increasingly failing because they are either old or of poor quality.

The result, say troopers, is that ammunition fails to feed properly – a situation which can turn deadly in a hurry during a firefight.

'Varmint' Rifle Needs to Go

Add to the problem the fact that the M-16 family of weapons utilizes .223 caliber (5.56 mm) ammunition, which has proven too small and light for war.

"Sometime, before we get into a big war, the U.S. military needs to get rid of our current generation of 'varmint rifles' and start issuing real rifles," one small arms expert told John Farnam, author of SOF's "Combat Weaponcraft" column, a firearms instructor and a Vietnam vet who saw a lot of combat as a U.S. Marine.

Firearms maker Barrett has developed a 6.8 caliber rifle for civilian and police use, Farnam said, in anticipation of a military need. But so far, procurement of the weapon – or a similar, larger caliber rifle for troops – hasn't been publicly discussed by the Pentagon.

The M-16, which first appeared during the Vietnam War, replaced the M-14, a heavier rifle that was also a larger caliber (.308). Currently the Pentagon is testing a weapon called the XM8 Lightweight Modular Weapon System, "a new, lightweight assault rifle that employs many of the technologies already developed for the planned objective individual combat weapon, which would combine an infantry rifle with a grenade launcher," says National Defense Magazine.

Army Lt. Col. Mathew T. Clarke, who is in charge of testing the rifle, has so far been impressed with its performance. "I'm very excited about how the weapon has performed," he told the magazine.

The problem some critics see, however, is that the new rifle is chambered for the exact same lightweight .223 (5.56 mm) round.

Another rifle being examined is the XM29. But it fires a kinetic energy 5.56 mm round, and also comes with a 20 mm launcher that fires air-bursting grenades (to reach enemies behind defensive positions).

Another problem with the XM29 – it's weight. At 18 pounds, it was deemed too heavy for infantry. So Clarke has decided to speed development and cast the rifle and air-burst grenade launcher as two separate weapons for the time being. "Quite frankly, we have to wait for technology to catch up," he told the magazine.

But will it? Some weapons developers aren't so sure.

The small arms expert told Farnam few domestic weapons manufacturers want to make a new, larger-caliber rifle for the military alone. "With no prospect of civilian sales, there is zero interest in this undertaking among American manufacturers. . . " the weapons expert said.

The small arms maker and expert said a government official recently met with a group of manufacturers. The official said the Pentagon wanted to build some M-4 carbines chambered for a Russian caliber – 7.62 X 39 mm – noting that the smaller .223 caliber "has never met our [military] requirements."

The government official then produced a 30-round magazine, which held the Russian caliber ammunition but would fit an M-4 carbine. He then asked if any of the manufacturers present could make such a magazine, as the "magazine ban" of the early 1990s had driven the original maker out of business.

Said the small arms expert: "We all expressed our opinions about the magazine ban and the politicians who supported it and, to a man, assured [the government official] that none of us were interested, in the least, under present laws. He nodded his head in reluctant acknowledgement."

The small arms expert continued: "We thus see how the 'magazine ban' is significantly harming our troops and the nation's ability to successfully prosecute a war."

Bad Magazines

Existing magazines being used by U.S. troops are also faulty.

"A police officer and friend, just deployed to Iraq, is serving there now as a Marine officer," Jeff Chudwin, an associate of Farnam's, wrote.

"He is in the thick of the fighting. He has only two Beretta M9 magazines, and both have weak springs. Pistol magazines are in short supply there. Ones that actually work are in even shorter supply," Chudwin said.

In an attempt to get better magazines, the police officer/Marine attempted to procure some from his home department, but was unable to do so "due to the ban on purchasing high capacity (normal capacity) magazines," said Chudwin.

He said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms [BATF] was asked to intervene, to approve the sale, but "they arrogantly told us, 'The military must take care of their own.'"

The result, Chudwin told Farnam, is that "the Marine officer cannot obtain additional magazines through the military, and we cannot support him from our end unless we send him 'Clinton clips'" – 10-round magazines (instead of the normal capacity 15-16 round magazines originally made for the M9) or magazines that were manufactured before the law banning them was signed by President Clinton.

In his column, Farnam also included comments from a U.S. soldier, currently on assignment in Iraq. The trooper related some of his experiences with the magazines, as well as a recommendation of how to overcome problems:

"If you are carrying an M9 when you go over [to Iraq], purchase some good magazines," the soldier writes. He recommended OEM or Beretta magazines.

"'Checkmate' magazines that the Marine Corps is currently issuing with your weapons are crap," the soldier continued. "During our first run in the desert, if I did not clean the magazines at least twice a day, it was a guaranteed failure to feed.

"It was rare to get off more than two shots without a feeding issue," the soldier continued. "Unacceptable. I personally don't want to find myself with a non-functioning pistol with the shooting starts."

'Stupid Gun Laws'

Writes Farnam: "Stupid gun laws, designed from the beginning for harassment and little else, are now interfering with our war effort, and no one at BATF, indeed the whole federal system, seems to care. While our Marines die, bureaucrats and politicians dither."

He recommends a course of action.

"When the 'magazine ban,' 'assault rifle' law was enacted, it had a built-in sunset clause so it could be allowed to die a natural death after it did not perform as promised," he wrote. "Not only has it failed to perform as promised as any sort of deterrent to criminal activity, we see where it is having ill effect on national defense issues. Contact your senators and congressmen today and tell them to let it sunset."

Unless Congress reauthorizes the ban, it will expire in September 2004. Republicans in both Houses have expressed an interest in allowing the law to die, while most Democrats have pushed for a renewal of the ban.

During his 2000 presidential campaign, President Bush has said he would sign a reauthorization of the bill if it reached his desk. Gun rights advocates – as well as a number of U.S. soldiers – are hoping it doesn't get that far.

 

[Standing Wolf]

[SHOCK] I'm so surprised! [/SHOCK]

 

[Safety First]

Is it true that Fineswine has a CCW? Anyone else heard this?

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Foreign Devil and others that wonder why:

She does it because in her mind she is right, period. She is one of a rare breed that will never be converted, no matter the evidence, the Constitutions' plain language on the matter be damned.

After watching her debate, following her voting records, and reading her press statements for years, I honestly believe she would die for her cause if it came to it.

We can only hope that our side has more people that are that dedicated then her side does.


The Constitution has been under constant attack for over 100 years now, and if it is to survive another generation, it is up to us!! Not our neighbors, not our friends, not our family, but us.

It is self-evident to most members of this board that your average American is no longer a Patriot. So, just as it was some 200+ years ago, the great responsibility of mankind rests on the shoulders of a few.

The question is: Will you stand and be counted?? The time is now!! Not when I have the time, not tomorrow, not next election, but NOW.

 

[TimH]

I gonna write & call Hillary & Chucky Shumer I sure they'll put a stop to this insanity

 

[Langenator]

Emails sent...

To Murray and Cantwell of Washington, where I legally reside, who will politely tell me to get stuffed.

To Hollings of SC, where I actually live, who won't say anything at all.

To Lindsay Graham of SC (not to be confused with Bob Graham of FL) who might actually do something.

 

[LAR-15]

So what kind of bills can she attach this too?

Doesn't it have to be gun/crime related??

 

[boofus]

We should all get together and start mailing Larry Craig or Ron Paul to sponsor a bill that makes it illegal to be diane feinstein. Make the penalty for violating this law deportation.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Is it true that Fineswine has a CCW? Anyone else heard this?

It's true. She got her permit after Harvey Milk was assassinated in San Francisco and she was promoted to mayor. She carried a Smith & Wesson .38 special for some years. She has since claimed she no longer owns the gun; even if that were true, however—her statement didn't sound at all credible—she employs armed bodyguards.

Like many another leftist extremist, she's a big believer in the principle of "Guns for me, but not for thee."

Leftists are moral and intellectual parasites.

 

[riverdog]

Unfortunately, writing my Senator will to no good whatsoever since Feinstein is that Senator. The other one is Boxer who will vote with Feinstein. I can't remember any legislation that came from either of my Senators, that represents my thoughts.

 

[GigaBuist]

I can't remember any legislation that came from either of my Senators, that represents my thoughts.

Boxer is helping push for arming of pilots, which the TSA is dragging it's feet on to the point of being criminal.

For others in this thread, and THR in general, along with every other freedom loving gun nut out there: Dianne Feinstein is spelled with two n's in her first name. No, it's not normal. No, I have no idea why. Spelling it right at your keyboard will help you recognise it easier when you see it in print though. Makes us look better when we know how to properly spell the names of our opponents though.

While I'd love to comment further I would most cretainly violate the Art's Grandma rule. Actually I'd violate the "my mom" rule -- who is known to "have a mouth dirtier than a public outhouse" according to her own brothers.

 

[Wildalaska]

heres my small contrib to my senator, Lisa Murkowski (up for reelction this year)

Dear Senator Murkowski:

It has come to my attention that one of your colleagues in the Senate, the Hon. Dianne Feinstein (D.Ca), will again attempt to impose her radical gun banning agenda on law abiding gun owners (including your constituents) by seeking to annex a renewal of the so called "Assault Weapons Ban" to unrelated legislation (in all probablity S.2062).

You have indicated publically on more than one occasion that you do not support renewal of the "Assault Weapons Ban", as has your opponent, former Governor Knowles. However, since you are our Senator, and are seeking the support of law abiding Alaskan gun owners who also oppose the "Ban", I respectfully request that you step forward in this matter and unequivocally work to defeat, by any means possible, including fillibuster, any attempts by Senator Feinstein and her allies to impose their radical agenda on us.

Your actions in helping us in this matter will go a long way in assuring your constituents that you are in fact the best choice to represent Alaskans in the future.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully

WildcompoundsentencesAlaska

 

[Treylis]

So what kind of bills can she attach this too?

Doesn't it have to be gun/crime related??

Any kind of bill whatsoever. Many pieces of terrible legislation have been snuck through by someone sneakily adding a rider onto a bill most everyone else wants, because you can't trust the Democrats or the Republicans to read the cursed things. Of course, people keep voting for them. *cough*

 

[Norton]

I will be like p$%%ing in the wind.....but I'll whip out some letters tonight to the "Honorable" Senators from Maryland, Mikulski and Sarbanes.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

In the Senate, the rules are much looser. From a committee, the amendment has to be somewhat germane to the bill; but even then there is some latitude. From the floor, any Senator can propose an amendment to any bill unless cloture is invoked - and even then they may have to agree to a non-germane amendment to get enough votes to kill a filibuster.

In the House, such bills have to come through the appropriate committee and be relevant to the legislation in question, so much less of a threat there.

This is why it is VERY important that gun owners in Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina get involved. All of these states have retiring Senators. Four of these states have retiring Senators who voted for the renewal of the Clinton gun ban (all but Georgia). If we win all five of these states in November, the Senate now has enough pro-gun votes to halt any renewal attempts or amendments by Dianne.

 

[Third_Rail]

I call, I write, I e-mail, and I know none of it is read at all.

I live in MA, what else should I expect?

 

[wally]

We sould get one of our allies in the Senate to attach an abortion ban to anything they attach a gun ban to!

--wally.

 

[La Pistoletta]

For how long can they keep doing this? What's needed is an amendment - one that forbids the prohibitions of this kind. Otherwise they'll keep coming back, and every time it's going to be a fight for liberty. Sooner or later they'll win. Better knock'em down for good.

 

[emc]

Wally has an excellent idea! After all, that's what the DemoRats did when they torpedoed the firearms litigation reform legislation by attaching various amendments such as an AWB renewal.

It bothers me to see that so many Republican senators and representatives don't seem to understand that accommodating liberals will not result in them liking you. That's not going to happen. The other side certainly doesn't have that belief. The Republcans all too often don't seem to understand that if you compromise on your most basic core principles, then is there ANYTHING left that will you stand FOR?


FWIW

emc

 

[Tropical Z]

FeinSWINE is the
I'd contact both of my senators,but unfortunately they are both Hitler lovers who care nothing about freedom regardless of their public appearance.Past attempts have ALWAYS got me a lecture as to why more useless-silly gun laws are needed.

 

[Tropical Z]

And by the way,the abortion ban attachment idea is GOLD!!!!!!!