[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 120 (Sunday, August 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              PUT THE PUBLIC GOOD ABOVE PRIVATE INTERESTS

  (Ms. ESHOO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks, and include extraneous 
matter.)
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to put 
principle above politics and the public good above private interests by 
supporting the crime bill.
  Tremendous work has been performed under incredible pressure by 
Members on both sides of the aisle to produce a reasonable compromise 
on the crime bill. Yet the gun lobby and its minions are still plotting 
to deny the American people a strong anticrime package that they want 
and deserve.
  Most of us received this fax this morning from Gun Owners of America 
threatening anyone who votes in favor of the assault weapons ban with 
defeat in November. They list Jim Florio, Mary Sue Terry, and Dave 
Roberti as alleged victims of their political clout. They could not be 
more off target.
  It is pathetic for the gun lobby to be talking about its short list 
of alleged political victims when we should be concerned about the much 
longer list of gun victims.
  The American people know what is going on in their own streets 
outside the beltway. They should not be denied relief because of what 
is going on with lobbies inside the beltway.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time for Congress to put special interests in 
their place by casting ``aye'' votes, A-Y-E, instead of ``me'' votes.

           Before You Vote for the Crime Bill, Remember . . .

       ``When the Gun Lobby goes after you, it does have an 
     adverse impact,''--soon-to-be former State Senator David 
     Roberti, Los Angeles Times, June 9, 1994.


        recent elections where gun control played a pivotal role

       Jim Florio of New Jersey: The Washington Post (11-5-93) 
     reported that ``gun owners provided the margin of victory in 
     Whitmans' race.''
       Mary Sue Terry of Virginia: The Washington Times (11-5-93) 
     reported that Terry's loss sent a ``strong clear signal'' 
     that those who championed ``more gun control to fight crime 
     were out of step with the voters.''
       Joe Prather of Kentucky: Campaigns & Elections (July 1994) 
     reports that the Christian Coalition distributed up to 90,000 
     copies of a ``voter guide'' that said Prather supported 
     ``registration of firearms''--a big issue in the second 
     district.
       David Roberti of California. ``When the Gun Lobby goes 
     after you, it does have an adverse impact,'' said soon-to-be 
     former state senator Roberti to the Loss Angeles Times (6-9-
     94). Gun owners forced a recall election to oust the anti-gun 
     senator earlier this year. This special election cost Roberti 
     thousands of dollars per day, thereby depleting his financial 
     resources. As a result, he cost his primary election for 
     state Treasurer to a person whose name recognition ranked 
     below all other state contenders.


             single-issue voters are overwhelmingly pro-gun

       Campaigns & Elections (March 1994) stated that gun control 
     can easily ``backfire as a campaign issue.'' The reason is 
     twofold, says the article. Nearly half the voters have a gun 
     in their homes and gun control can be perceived as a 
     ``personal threat.'' Furthermore, gun control is not a 
     passionate issue for proponents of restrictions, but is an 
     extremely passionate issue for gun rights supporters.
       Translated: gun owners are much more likely than gun 
     control advocates to be single-issue voters. Be forewarned, 
     there is incredible voter anger brewing outside of the 
     Beltway.
       Vote ``no'' on the rule note ``no'' on the bill. Gun Owners 
     of America will consider a vote for both the rule and the 
     bill (H.R. 3355)--because of the gun ban in it--as a gun 
     control vote. Our rating will be published by Guns & Ammo 
     magazine this fall. Please support the Hunter-Brewster 
     alternative instead!--Gun Owners of America, 8001 Forbes 
     Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151, (703) 321-8585.

                          ____________________