Free Republic

No gun-suit immunity, no assault-weapons ban. In a dramatic, almost wacky turn of events, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected S. 1805, a bill earlier this month that would have immunized firearm manufacturers and dealers against many forms of tort liability. The bill's own sponsors turned against it, as did its original NRA supporters, after opponents succeeded in adding two "poison pill" amendments — one extending a soon-to-expire ban on so-called assault weapons, and another closing an alleged "gun-show loophole" for unregulated sales of firearms. Pro-gun and anti-gun groups seemed equally disappointed. The NRA had lobbied long and hard for tort immunity,...

NRA Letter To Senate Opposing S. 1805 As Amended Tuesday, March 02, 2004 Below is a letter faxed to U.S. Senators on March 2, 2004 from Wayne R. LaPierre, Jr., NRA Executive Vice President and Chris W. Cox, Executive Director, NRA Institute for Legislative Action. This letter expresses NRA`s opposition to final passage of S. 1805 as amended and was sent prior to voting on the bill. Click here to view an Adobe PDF version of the letter faxed to U.S. Senators March 2, 2004 Dear Senator: The National Rifle Association opposes final passage of S. 1805 as amended...

March 1 Neal Knox Update -- The anti-gun crowd’s sole focus right now is killing S. 1805, the renumbered S. 659 gun industry liability protection bill. So why on Earth are so many panicky gun rights defenders (or people claiming to be) doing everything they can to help the enemy? Yes, S. 1805 is in danger of being loaded up with anti-gun amendments in the Senate. But anyone with two brain cells to rub together knows that the Senate is overloaded with anti-gunners and has been for several years. The only way to get the bill passed is to get...

I have reviewed all fourteen known "amendments" to S. 1805. NONE of them are acceptable! Some are merely inappropriate for inclusion with S. 1805, others are the answer to a question that does not need to be asked, or "problems" that do not exist. A couple attempt to make Law Enforcement officers into Super Citizens, granting them extraordinary rights and privileges that are not available to the common citizen. Such nonsense is not acceptable! The balance are clearly "poison pill's" designed to destroy the bill! There is no need, and no constitutional authority, for congress to "Ban" ammunition of any...

THIS IS FROM NRA-HQ --- PLEASE CIRCULATE ==================================== Recent Internet alerts from some "pro-Second Amendment" groups have suggested that the National Rifle Association has either accepted a compromise that would include reenactment of the 1994 Clinton Gun ban and/or the McCain-Reed gun show restrictions, or will not actively fight against their passage in the Senate. Not only are these claims completely false and ridiculous but they are also extremely counterproductive to our legislative strategy and agenda. Gun control groups are spreading the same rumors in hopes of confusing pro-gun senators as to our position in hopes of gaining their support....

Dear NRA ILA EVCs: At 10:30 am EST (2/25/04) by a 75-22 (3 Senators not voting) the US Senate invoked cloture on S. 1805, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (previously numbered S. 659). By invoking cloture, the US Senate has avoided a potential filibuster by gun-ban advocates in an attempt to derail this critical legislation. Floor debate on this bill is currently underway, and is limited to no more than 30 hrs. A roll call list detailing how your Senators voted on cloture is available at: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=2&vote=00016 While passing cloture was an important first step, we must...

The Administration has released its Statement of Position on S. 1805. It is attached. I draw special attention to the following sentence from the SAP: <> The full text is copied below, and the SAP is attached. (See attached file: S. 1805 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.pdf) EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503 February 24, 2004 (Senate) STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY S. 1805 - Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (Sen. Craig (R) Idaho) The Administration strongly supports Senate passage of S. 1805. The Administration urges the Senate to pass...