No sooner had the ballots been counted on November 3, then the Clinton-Gore Administration identified their next target in their quest for gun control -- the virtual elimination of gun shows. Erroneously claiming that law-abiding citizens are somehow responsible for the Clinton-Gore Administration's unwillingness to clamp down on armed criminals, the President has taken to the airwaves to devise a bureaucratic solution to the gun show "problem." In a recent radio address, President Clinton noted, "With this action we are one step closer to shutting them down." The answer to the perceived gun show "problem," however, is simple -- if indeed there is a problem of criminals purchasing guns at these shows, it is because existing law is not being enforced by the Clinton-Gore Administration. All sales of firearms at gun shows are subject to the identical federal and state laws that apply in other situations. There are no exceptions whatsoever to this rule. Furthermore, federal law [18 U.S.C. sec. 921(a)(11), (a)(21)(b) and 923(a)] requires anyone "who devotes time, attention, and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principle objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms" to possess a Federal Firearms License (FFL).

      Rather than directing its wrath toward law-abiding citizens, the Clinton-Gore Administration needs to enforce existing law and punish criminals. The Project Exile program in Richmond, Virginia, has used the strict enforcement of federal laws prohibiting felons from possessing a gun to drastically reduce the homicide rate. This success should surprise no one. No less an authority than UCLA Prof. James Q. Wilson insists: "Locking up criminals does protect society from future crimes." He is not alone. Princeton Prof. John DiIulio, observes: "Sentencing policies that keep violent and repeat offenders behind bars cut crime." The administration's latest target -- the "private dealer" -- does not exist. The term is a buzzword being used by the President to garner political headlines and advance his anti- gun agenda. Non-dealers are allowed to sell firearms only on an "occasional" basis "for the enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby," or to sell their collections. To do otherwise is a violation of federal law and subjects the violator to a five-year prison term, a $5,000 fine, or both. We anticipate President Clinton will pass the ball to his new Senate point man, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and suspect Sen. Schumer will flex his newfound muscle by introducing a bill to this effect when the 106th Congress convenes in January. In the meantime, to help defeat the Clinton-Schumer crusade against lawful gun shows, call your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators at 202/224-3121, and tell them to oppose any bill that unfairly treats lawful gun show attendees as criminals! To order a copy of a flyer on this issue that you can copy and hand out at local gun shows, call the Grassroots Division at 800/392-8683.

=+=+=+=+
This information is provided as a service of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA.

This and other information on the Second Amendment and the NRA is available at: http://WWW.NRA.Org