On Tuesday, the House Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee approved an amendment offered by pro-gun U.S. Representative Virgil Goode (I-Va.). The amendment would prohibit the Treasury, Postal Service, and other agencies from granting or withholding firearms contracts on the basis of gun makers' 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 would impose purchase preferences on the Department of Treasury, Postal Service, and all other agencies covered under this bill. HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo has already proposed such purchase preferences 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 like S&W who sign coerced agreements restricting their otherwise legitimate activities. Goode's amendment was approved by voice vote. The full House Committee on Appropriations is expected to markup the 2001 Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations bill on Tuesday, July 18. Anti-gun U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) is expected to offer an amendment similar to the Senate-passed Lautenberg gun show amendment, which would effectively ban gun shows as we know them today. Please call your U.S. Representative and urge him to support the Goode amendment to the 2001 Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations bill. Also urge him to oppose any efforts by Rosa DeLauro or other anti-gun Representatives to raise the specter of the Lautenberg gun show ban. You can contact your Representative by calling (202) 225-3121, or by using the "Write Your Reps" feature at www.NRAILA.org.
=+=+=+=+ | |||||||||||||
