From the Radio Free Michigan archives ftp://141.209.3.26/pub/patriot If you have any other files you'd like to contribute, e-mail them to bj496@Cleveland.Freenet.Edu. ------------------------------------------------ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: NRA'S BATF AD HITS ITS MARK! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It seems NRA's ad which ran last week in the Washington Post and USA Today calling on the President to regain control of the BATF has registered quite an effect! In fact on Wednesday, March 8, USA Today reported that there is some serious discussion within the Treasury Department about scuttling the agency -- including proposals to merge the BATF into the Secret Service, U.S. Customs or to split BATF's functions between those agencies and the FBI. A memo written by Robert Switzer, special agent in charge of the BATF's St. Paul, Minn. office, charges that many of its top field managers are "thoroughly disgusted with current affairs" at the agency. In addition to mentioning NRA's ad, which criticized the agency for its disregard for citizens' civil rights, the article also cited numerous allegations of racism -- including a lawsuit filed against BATF by a group of black agents charging widespread discrimination. And speaking of BATF... Congressional leaders have now planned to hold hearings beginning in late March and continuing into May, on topics including: self-defense, the Second Amendment, armed criminals and the gun ban. Hearings on federal law enforcement abuses will also be held, as NRA-ILA continues its effort to highlight arrogant and abusive activities undertaken by BATF -- and any other federal law enforcement agency that chooses to violate the civil rights of American firearms owners. ======================================================================= DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY WASHINGTON, D. C. UNDER SECRETARY March 3, 1995 Ms. Tanya K. Metaska Executive Director Institute for Legislative Action National Rifle Association of America 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, Virginia 22030-7400 Dear Ms. Metaska: This week, The National Rifle Association, in a full page advertisement in the Washington Post and USA Today vilified the brave Treasury agents who serve the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). The ad profoundly misrepresented ATF, its agents, and its mission -- even the photo is of paid models and not ATF agents. ATF agents and all of law enforcement carrying out crime fighting legislation deserve public gratitude, not public contempt. The advertisement alludes darkly to ATF's "threat[s] to civil liberties," "contempt for civil rights," and a "tyrannical record of misconduct and abuse of power." Allow me to provide the truth about ATF's record. Of the over 10,000 search warrants served by ATF agents in the last decade, not one has led to any civil court to render any adverse judgements for constitutional violations. Not one. While the NRA spends lavishly on ads to fight ATF, ATF agents put their lives on the line to fight crime and to protect our communities and our citizens' property from armed criminals. Since 1986, the more than 6,000 armed career criminals and armed drug traffickers ATF brought to justice have been sentenced to more than 55,000 years in prison. Taking these felons off our streets has, by some estimates, prevented over 4 million crimes and saved countless lives and dollars. ATF agents make America safer. Your true target, of course, is President Clinton's landmark firearms legislation, including the Brady Law and the Assault Weapons Ban. The great majority of Americans stand with law enforcement in supporting sensible firearms laws. The NRA should join them. The NRA leadership may choose to oppose moderate, reasonable firearms laws. But it is wrong to single out for abuse the courageous agents who enforce laws championed by the President and duly enacted by the people's elected representatives. Rather than casting about for villains, the NRA should join the American public and a vast majority of your members in recognizing and praising the men and women who risk their lives to protect public safety. Sincerely, (signed) Ronald K. Noble Under Secretary (Enforcement) ........................................................................... NRA-ILA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HITS THE AIRWAVES: As of last Sunday, March 5, NRA-ILA Executive Director Tanya Metaksa has been featured on a weekly radio show called "Gun Talk," which airs Sunday afternoons from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., on the Talk America Radio Network. Hosted by veteran outdoor writer Tom Gresham, this call-in show will allow Mrs. Metaksa 5 minutes on each week's show (between 4:00 and 4:15 p.m.) to speak directly to relevant issues facing gun owners today. At this time, "Gun Talk" has been picked up by some 25 radio stations across the country. To find out if a station near you is carrying this show, please call the Grassroots Division at 1-800-392-8683. ............................................................................ .---. .----------- * ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: / \ __ / ------ * 75321.3407@compuserve.com / / \(..)/ ----- * ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ////// ' \/ ` ---- * //// / // : : --- * PERMISSION TO \\/ / * / /` '--* COPY ETC. OK \/ * //..\\ x-x-UU----UU-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x- '//||\\` N E M O M E I M P U N E L A C E S S I T ''`` . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x ------------------------------------------------ (This file was found elsewhere on the Internet and uploaded to the Radio Free Michigan archives by the archive maintainer. All files are ZIP archives for fast download. E-mail bj496@Cleveland.Freenet.Edu)