Last Thursday, May 18, the U.S. House approved a $310 billion defense authorization bill (H.R. 4205) that included an amendment that would prohibit the Pentagon from granting or withholding firearms contracts to gun makers on the basis of their agreement to arbitrary "codes of conduct" relating to their operating or design practices in importing, manufacturing or dealing in firearms or ammunition. While the language of the amendment does not refer specifically to the Smith & Wesson (S&W) Sellout (see Special FAX Alert 3/20/00), it was clearly inspired by the concern that the Clinton-Gore Administration might attempt to impose purchase preferences on the Department of Defense (DOD), as HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo has proposed doing for federal law enforcement agencies (see Special FAX Alert 3/20/00).
Cuomo's proposal would encourage or require the federal government to give highly preferential procurement treatment to firearms manufacturers who sign coerced agreements restricting their otherwise legitimate activities (e.g., the S&W Sellout). The amendment, offered by pro-gun Representative John Hostettler (R-Ind.), was approved on a 39-20 bipartisan vote in the House Armed Services Committee the previous week, and H.R. 4205 passed on a 353-62 vote. Please contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to support H.R. 4205 with the Hostettler amendment attached. You can contact your Senators by calling (202) 224-3121, or by using the "Write Your Reps" feature on NRAILA.org.
=+=+=+=+ | ||||||||||||||
