Subject: HCI Semi-Annual Progress Report Handgun Control Semi-Annual Progress Report December 1992 X HCI's agenda for action in the 103rd Congress detailed - the Brady Bill and beyond! X HCI's '92 PAC victories: Welcoming new friends X Hollywood celebs highlight Center to Prevent Handgun Violence's first Washington, DC, gala, honoring Jim Brady X Center's anti-violence curriculum launched in key school districts across country X Gun dealers beware: CPHV's Legal Action Project is watching you X It's not too late to vote! HCI's Board of Directors ballot enclosed X HCI lobbyists shut out the NRA hired guns on the state level this year X Sign up for HCI's '93 Annual Members' Meeting ------ "Free the Brady Bill" Succeeds, But Measure Left Unfinished as Congress Adjourns Despite getting off to a great start in the 102nd Congress, with passage of the Brady Bill - for the first time - in the U.S. House of Representatives in May 1991, the 102nd Congress adjourned without sending this important bill to the President. The U.S. Senate, which had passed the Brady Bill as part of its larger, more comprehensive omnibus crime bill, ultimately failed to get enough votes to send the conference (final version) crime bill to the President in the last days of the session. Senate leaders had tried unsuccessfully throughout 1992 to break a Republican filibuster to move the bill. The U.S. House passed the conference version ten months earlier. When it became clear that the Brady Bill was being held hostage to a stalled crime bill, Handgun Control launched a massive, national grassroots effort to "Free the Brady Bill" and move it separately. At more than three dozen news conferences from coast to coast during the month of September, local handgun control advocates, doctors, teachers, mayors, law enforcement officers, clergy and victims joined together in an unprecedented effort to persuade Congress to send the Brady Bill to the President. On the kick-off day, Sarah Brady joined Coretta Scott King and other civil rights leaders in Atlanta, and Jim Brady joined Mayor David Dinkins and law enforcement leaders in New York City to call for action. Ten other cities from Los Angeles to Portland, Maine, hosted events that first day. Our efforts paid off when, on September 28th, Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (ME) "freed" the Brady Bill, by reintroducing it as a free-standing measure. However, under strong threat of a filibuster, orchestrated by NRA-backed Senators Phil Gramm (R-TX) and Larry Craig (R-ID), an NRA Board Member, Mitchell was not able to bring the bill up for a separate vote before adjournment. While a handful of Republican Senators blocked votes on both the crime bill containing the Brady Bill, and the Brady Bill as a separate measure, President Bush attempted to posture himself as "moderate" on the Brady Bill. Appearing on a national television talk show, Bush said that he supported the Mitchell-Dole measure (the final Senate Brady Bill language). However, his true position became clear when on October 2nd, the day the Senate failed to move the omnibus crime bill, NBC News reported that "the President's aides have told Senate Republicans to stand firm - no separate vote on handgun controls, no action this year." With President Bush no longer able to clock this important bill, we are confident we will see the Brady Bill become law very soon. [picture] Coretta Scott King joins Sarah Brady in Atlanta for kick-off "Free the Brady Bill" news conference. ------ 102nd Congress Yields Gun Control Victories Although the 102nd Congress adjourned without sending the Brady Bill to the President, it did produce two key gun control victories. Congress stopped the restoration of gun rights to convicted felons, a program which had been administered by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). This program, which cost ATF more than $4 million per year, and involved more than 40 full-time federal employees, had restored the right to possess firearms to more than 2,000 felons between 1985 and 1990. In committee, Rep. Larry Smith (D-FL) added a provision to the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Bill which forbids ATF from spending any money on this program. The bill subsequently cleared both Houses of Congress, was signed into law, and the money and staff will now be directed toward enforcing federal gun laws. And, in a major victory for District of Columbia residents, who overwhelmingly passed an assault weapon dealer liability law a year ago, a serious challenge to this landmark law was rebuffed. NRA supporter, Sen. Bob Smith (R-NH), offered an amendment to repeal the District's law to the Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary Appropriations Bill on the Senate floor, where it was adopted. Fortunately, Sen. Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH) crafted an agreement to get the repeal language removed from the final appropriations bill, saving the law, which holds that gun dealers and sellers can be held civilly liable for the deaths and injuries caused by assault weapons in Washington, D.C. ------ HCI On The Move Across America In 1992, Handgun Control state legislative efforts resulted in a shutout against the National Rifle Association. In every previous year, the NRA has passed at least one state bill - preemption legislation, carrying concealed weapons legislation, or Constitutional "right to bear arms" amendments. This year, Handgun Control, Inc., and our allies have defeated the NRA's legislation in every state, with major battles occurring Indiana, Louisiana and Missouri. On the state and local level, we are beating the NRA across the nation. In what appears to be an important trend toward saving the lives of children, many states have passed child accident protection (CAP) laws, which hold adults liable if a child gets hold of a loaded, accessible handgun. FLORIDA The legislature passed a bill banning shotgun ammunition marketed as "Dragon's Breath." HAWAII Capping a two-year effort, the legislature passed a landmark bill banning assault pistols and pistol ammunition magazines holding more than ten rounds. This bill is significant because it is the first _state_ law to use a generic definition of assault weapons, and its magazine ban is the most restrictive in the nation. The legislature also passed a child accident prevention bill and a bill to increase the State's waiting period to 14 days. After meeting with Sarah Brady in Washington, D.C., Governor John Waihee signed all three bills last spring. INDIANA After the Senate passed an NRA bill which would have preempted all local gun control laws, we focussed attention on how absurd it was to wipe out effective laws when crime is on the rise, and managed to defeat the NRA proposal on the House floor. LOUISIANA The NRA suffered a tremendous setback in the South when the Louisiana House of Representatives defeated a bill to allow citizens to carry concealed weapons. The measure was the subject of an intense lobbying effort by HCI, law enforcement, and activists in the State. MARYLAND The legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, the broadest state child accident prevention law to date, stating that adults can be held liable even if no injury occurs. HCI worked closely with Governor Schaefer and Marylanders Against Handgun Abuse in this successful two-year effort. MINNESOTA The Minnesota legislature passed a first-in-the-nation law prohibiting the sale of firearms to persons convicted of spousal abuse. This new law was skillfully ushered through the legislature by Citizens for a Safer Minnesota. MISSOURI An NRA bill to allow citizens to carry concealed weapons passed the House, but was killed in a Senate committee after HCI worked with the local law enforcement community to explain how dangerous this measure was to the public safety. NEW JERSEY Completing a two-year effort, the legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, a child accident prevention bill. Also in New Jersey, it appears that the legislature will not succeed in its NRA-backed effort to overturn Governor Florio's veto of legislation designed to repeal the State's historic ban on assault weapons. However, since the NRA has invested more than $300,000 in a attempt to elect pro-gun lawmakers, we must be prepared for another attempt to defeat this public safety law. WISCONSIN Completing a three-year effort, the legislature passed, and Governor Tommy Thompson signed into law, a child accident prevention bill. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS The City of Chicago enacted a ban on the possession of both assault weapons and ammunition magazines holding more than 12 rounds. HOUSTON, TEXAS In response to a series of tragedies, the City Council passed a strong child accident prevention bill. ------ HCI's Legislative Agenda for the 103rd Congress HCI lobbyists will hit the ground running in January, as the new Congress convenes. With a new Administration and many new advocates in Congress, we have an unprecedented opportunity to advance out life-saving agenda. First we must quickly pass the Brady Bill, the cornerstone of an effective federal gun policy. In 1991, we stunned the gun lobby by pushing this important measure through both the House and Senate by huge margins. We must ensure that this bill becomes law early in the session. The Brady Bill alone will save many, many lives and prevent countless injuries. But after this measure is law, we have many other important battles to fight. Banning Crime Guns There are whole categories of guns and gun accessories which are primarily used in crime - not for law enforcement, sport, or self-protection. In the next Congress we will work to: * Ban military-style, semi-automatic assault weapons like the UZI and the AK-47. * Ban large-capacity ammunition magazines, such as "banana clips," which hold 30-40 rounds, and "drum" magazines, which hold 75-90 rounds of ammunition at a time. * Ban low-quality, easily concealable Saturday Night Special handguns. These are already banned from import. They should not be produced domestically. Curbing Interstate Gun Running The Brady Bill will make it much tougher for gun traffickers to buy weapons on a "cash-and-carry" basis in one state and take them to another to sell on the black market. But we will also work for legislation to: * Stop the sale of unlimited numbers of handguns to the same buyer. * Stop the issuance of federal gun licenses to individuals who are not operating retail businesses. * Stop unregulated private sales of handguns, such as sales by unlicensed individuals at gun shows. Protecting Children Through Safety Requirements Too many children are killed or maimed in gun accidents every year. HCI lobbyists will work to: * Require safety devices be built into all new guns, to minimize the chances of accidental shootings. * Require handgun buyers to complete a training course on safety, just as automobile drivers must do to obtain licenses. Finally, we know the ever-more-extreme NRA will not sit idle next year. Over the past year, their aggressive membership drive, which played on fears over the L.A. riots, has recruited many new members and raised millions of dollars. The new NRA President, Bob Corbin, has vowed to double the NRA membership - to over 5 million. The NRA will continue to be a formidable foe in our fight for a sensible national gun policy. But the future is bright, and with hard work and your help, we will succeed. ------ HCI/CPHV Name New President Richard Aborn, a New York City-based attorney was elected President of Handgun Control and its sister organization, The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, in June. Aborn, who had served on HCI's Board of Directors for four years and the Center's for one, has been involved in the gun control movement since 1979. A former homicide prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Aborn has been directly involved in a wide range of activities promoting gun control - from testifying in support of legislation to lobbying on Capitol Hill. Aborn has served to two commissions dedicated to utilizing the public health profession in violence prevention, and has worked with law enforcement on methods to stop illegal gun trafficking. ------ Guns Don't Die... People Do > In Tampa, FL, at their wedding reception, an angry bride threw a plate of macaroni at her new husband, who responded by shooting her in the stomach with a handgun. > A 16-year-old Japanese exchange student living in Baton Rouge, LA, was shot to death when he failed to understand a warning to "Freeze!" after mistakenly approaching the wrong house for a Halloween party. > A Milwaukee man said he was "just being stupid" when he tried to shoot a beer can off the head of a 16-year-old, who died from the stunt. > A 15-year-old honor student was murdered while gardening at his Washington, D.C., home. He was apparently chosen at random by a gunman who said he "had the urge to do it." > A Philadelphia, PA, executive fatally shot himself at his New Mexico ranch while apparently using a loaded shotgun as a crutch. > A Miami, FL, clubgoer who was chased into a men's room and doused with beer by a woman, shot a man to death for laughing at him. > "I'm the NRA" posterboy, actor Jameson Parker, was shot in a dispute with his neighbor over dog waste. ------ Members' Page New Materials to Help Spread Message Our 1990 "God Bless America" poster is now available. As in years past, it makes a powerful statement on the need for sensible gun laws. If you would like a copy, please contact Shawn Taylor at (202) 898-0792. HCI bumper stickers are here! Show your support by putting one on your car, hanging it in your office, or passing them out to your friends. To receive a bumper sticker, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to "Bumper Sticker," 1225 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1100. Washington, D.C. 20005 [poster] IN 1990, HANDGUNS KILLED 22 PEOPLE IN GREAT BRITAIN 13 IN SWEDEN 91 IN SWITZERLAND 87 IN JAPAN 10 IN AUSTRALIA 68 IN CANADA AND 10,567 IN THE UNITED STATES. GOD BLESS AMERICA. [snub-nose revolver painted red, white, and blue] [fine print unreadable in newsletter] STOP HANDGUNS BEFORE THEY STOP YOU. ------ HCI Rocks at Lollapalooza Once again, HCI participated in the summer concert series, Lollapalooza, in an effort to reach America's young people - those most at risk of gun violence. Lollapalooza was organized by former Jane's Addiction lead singer Perry Farrell to promote political activism among young, progressive music lovers. The 32-date tour travelled from San Francisco to Florida, featuring bands, local artists, local musicians, and performers. HCI staff and volunteers distributed "NRA-NOT!" and "I'm for Gun Control and I Vote" stickers and HCI material to the concert-goers. We'd like to thank everyone who volunteered at our booths, all across the country. We couldn't have done it without you. See you again, next year! ------ Citizen Action Groups Form in Wake of Gun Violence. Gun control advocates are countering the powerful lobbying efforts of the NRA with grassroots citizen action. "Virginians Against Handgun Violence" was formed earlier this year by citizens outraged at the rising incidents of gun violence in the Tidewater area. Armed with HCI's House Party video kits, VAHV enlisted more than 200 new HCI members in less than 60 days! VAHV is now actively building coalitions around the state to encourage state legislators to enact tougher gun laws. In Iowa, the "November First Coalition" was formed in the wake of a gunman's shooting spree on the University of Iowa campus, which left five people dead and one woman permanently paralyzed. Organizer Dennis Smith declared, "A statewide network of concerned citizens has a profound influence with lawmakers and a tremendous education impact on local communities." Gun violence prevention and education groups have also formed this year in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. They join already established groups in Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, and Washington, which have become an indispensable part of our grassroots campaign. Kudos to all of you! For more information on HCI's House Party video kit, call Jane Kelso at 202-989-0792. ------ Don't Miss the 1993 Handgun Control, Inc. Members' Meeting and Lobby Day Annual Members' Meeting - Monday, June 7th Lobby Day - Tuesday, June 8th The Annual Member's Meeting and Lobby day are two days of valuable information on the gun control movement and HCI's lobbying strategy. You can attend workshops led by HCI Chair Sarah Brady and HCI staff, learn more about the education and legal action work of the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, and visit your federal legislators. It's also a great time to meet other gun violence victims and gun control advocates to share views and ideas on how to build our movement. You don't want to miss it! [] I'd like more information on HCI's Annual Member's Meeting and Lobby Day. Please send an information packet to me at the address listed below. [space for Name, Address, City/State/Zip, Phone Number] Return these coupons to: Handgun Control, 1225 Eye St., NW, Room 1100, Washington, DC 20005 ------ Dear Sarah, I want to help you and Jim in your lobbying efforts to enact the Brady Bill and an assault weapons ban early in the 103rd Congress. I'm enclosing a special contribution to assist Handgun Control, Inc., in its aggressive lobbying campaign for 1993 and beyond. Enclosed is my contribution for: [check-off boxes for $15/25/50/other] [space for Name, Address, City/State/Zip, Phone Number] ------ CENTER TO PREVENT HANDGUN VIOLENCE CENTER REPORT [picture of baby playing with pistol] Founded in 1983 by Pete Shields, also a founder of Handgun Control, Inc., the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence is a national 501 (c)(3) education, research and legal action organization. Its mission is to educate the public about the scope of handgun violence and ways to prevent it. This initiative is base on the Center's recognition that fundamental change in public attitudes - and an increased level of public outrage - is necessary to reduce the wave of gun violence endangering today's society. LAP Outgunning NRA In its first three years of existence, the Center's Legal Action Project (LAP) has become the guardian of our nation's gun control laws and the champion of the legal rights of victims against the gun industry. Facing a relentless gun lobby legal attack on new state and local gun laws passed with HCI support, Legal Action Project lawyers have been in courtrooms from coast to coast defending these hardwon legislative victories. > California: A federal appeals court upheld California's assault weapon ban, dismissing the NRA's lawsuit attempting to overturn the law. The Legal Action Project had filed a brief in support of the law, along with a coalition of nine police groups. _The_NRA_is_expected_to_ _appeal_the_decision_to_the_Supreme_Court_. > New York City: A federal judge rebuffed the NRA's attempt to stop New York's assault rifle ban from going into effect. The Legal Action Project entered the case as amicus curiae, with eight New York police groups. > Columbus, Ohio: With the Project's help, the Columbus assault weapon ban survived a federal suit by gun makers Colt's Manufacturing and Springfield Armory. The Legal Action Project is also taking the offensive against gun violence by helping victims and their families in liability lawsuits against irresponsible gun dealers. In Farley v. Guns Unlimited, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Project lawyers helped to achieve the nation's first jury verdict against a gun dealer for selling a pistol to a minor through an adult "straw purchaser." The Project's help also was instrumental in the Goldfarb v. The Grant Boys case, which resulted in a $900,000 settlement against a California dealer who sold a shotgun to a woman who showed obvious signs of mental instability while in the gun shop. The woman shot and killed an acquaintance several hours later. The price tag was still attached to the gun. Groundbreaking victims' cases like these are sending a strong message to the gun industry: putting profit ahead of public safety can carry a high price. As a Washington Post editorial put it, "Those who supply these weapons must bear the costs of marketing decisions that expose society to extraordinary risks." Finally, Project lawyers are exposing NRA lies and distortions of the Second Amendment wherever they are found. Last year, the Center's landmark study of high school social studies texts found widespread ignorance by textbook writers about court decisions limiting the Second Amendment right to the "well-regulated militia." We are working to ensure that those who publish textbooks, and the educators who by them, understand the truth: that the Second Amendment _does_not_ guarantee an individual right to own guns. ------ First CPHV Gala a Smashing Success "Be a Life Saver - Help Stop the Violence" was the theme of the Center's first-ever Washington fundraising gala, held on June 8th. Actor Beau Bridges emceed the event, which honored Former White House Press Secretary James Brady. Mr. Brady received the first annual "Pete Shields" award, which recognizes the outstanding work of one individual who has made a difference in the campaign for a safer America. The award, named for the Center's founder, Pete Shields, was presented to Jim by Pete's wife, Jeanne. Mrs. Shields expressed Pete's regrets that he was unable to attend. Hundreds of supporters showed up, including Washington, D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly, Senator Paul Simon (D-IL), D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Daniel Shea, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and D.C. Police Chief Isaac Fulwood. Entertainment was provided by Comedy Central's Paul Provenza. [picture] Actress Mariette Hartley, Wendy Bridges, Beau Bridges and D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton greet Jim Brady at CPHV gala. ------ Docs Help Parents Keep Kids Safe Parents can now learn from the pediatricians how to prevent childhood gun injuries, a leading cause of death for children. Under a new partnership program of the Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), pediatricians across the country will be counseling parents and distributing safety information. Just as doctors warn parents of other household dangers and potential hazards, they will explain to parents that guns in the home are a danger to children and that their children may be at risk where they play and visit, as well. Doctors will counsel parents on the risks guns in the home present to children, and provide clear prevention steps to avoid gun accidents. The Center worked with the AAP, with its 44,000 member pediatricians, to develop effective educational tools for doctors, and for parents. Pediatricians will be provided with a kit containing posters for their waiting rooms, brochures to distribute to parents, and background information for their use, including an audiotape discussion by C. Everett Koop, MD, former U.S. Surgeon General. In November, "Child Safety and Protection Month," the Center and the AAP began distributing these educational kits to a random sample of pediatric practices nationwide to evaluate the materials before embarking on a large scale national distribution. ------ "Straight Talk" About Guns and Kids [picture] Jim Brady is joined by school children at STAR kick-off in New York City Daily headlines are a harrowing reminder of the violence striking our children, our communities and our schools. Every day, 12 American children under the age of 19 are killed in gun homicides, suicides and accidents. Many more are wounded. The Center has undertaken a multi-year effort to educate American schoolchildren about avoiding the danger of guns and to provide ways to prevent gun violence. We have developed and introduced the nation's first comprehensive gun violence prevention program for Pre-K-12 students. Straight Talk About Risks (STAR) helps students build life-saving skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, resisting peer pressure and managing anger or conflicts nonviolently. STAR demonstrates that gun fights and shooting accidents between children and teens _can_ be prevented - when young children recognize the dangers of guns and know how to stay away from them - when teens learn to resist peer pressure to carry or handle weapons - and when parents unload and lock up guns in the home, away from children. The STAR program is considered by school teachers and administrators across the country as a proactive step towards reducing gun violence among children, both at home and in the community. New York City public schools adopted STAR last spring to combat a rising tide of gun violence in schools. The State of New Jersey followed by putting STAR in more than 25 middle schools, statewide. STAR is also reaching thousands of students in Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland and Ventura County, California. Plans for a national expansion are underway. STAR services and materials, often paid for by grant funding, include teacher training, a curriculum guide for teachers, videos for middle and high school students, and tools for educating parents. STAR is available in English and Spanish to maximize student and parent involvement. ------ Entertainers Join Fight Against Gun Violence The Center's Los Angeles-base Entertainment Resources Division is working with entertainers, writers and producers in an effort to get gun violence prevention themes incorporated into television, music and films. In August, the Center held its first "lot briefing" at Universal Studios, attended by more than 100 writers, producers, actors, and entertainment executives, to familiarize them with the issue of gun violence and to share ideas. CPHV Chair Sarah Brady was joined by Michael Chitwood, Police Chief of Portland, Maine, and Garen Wintemute, MD, a nationally recognized health and gun violence prevention expert. The briefing included motivating and informative sessions on the issues of guns in the home, guns in schools, guns and self-protection, and children and guns. A similar briefing was held in November at Warner Brothers Studios. The Entertainment Resources Division will continue to encourage industry professionals to portray the tragic consequences of gun violence in their creative projects. ------ Where There's a Will, There's a Way Through your will or through planned giving of assets, you guarantee that your commitment to preventing gun violence will carry into the future and become a lasting memorial for a safer society. If you would like to receive additional information on giving through your will - or through other giving plans - please complete the information, right, and mail to our Development Office at 1225 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005 or call us as (202) 289-7319. All gifts made to the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. [space for Name, Address, City/State/Zip, Daytime telephone] ------ NRA Fails to "Clinton-Proof" 103rd Congress New Gun Control Supporters Elected Long before the first ballots were cast in this year's Presidential election, the NRA had already conceded the contest to Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, an outspoken advocate of the Brady Bill and a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons. With their grip on the White House slipping away, the NRA focussed its efforts on the U.S. Congressional races, with a nearly $3 million campaign to "Clinton-proof" the Congress. The NRA's goal was to win enough seats in the House and Senate to block any new control proposals. They did not succeed. In the Senate, the NRA failed to make any significant gains. Of the 36 seats up this year, Brady Bill supports won 18 - a not loss of only one for us. However, we expect we'll have to face a major battle to defeat an NRA-backed effort to substitute legislation for the Brady Bill, and may still have to fight a filibuster. Newly elected HCI supporters include Senators-elect Carol Moseley Braun (D-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Bruce Feingold (D-WI). In the House, of the top 24 incumbents in the NRA's "hit list," _only_two_were_defeated_. Gun control leaders like Congressmen Bill Hughes (D-NJ), Herb Bateman (R-VA), Vic Fazio (D-CA), and Tom Andrews (D-ME) all beat back fierce challenges by well-funded, pro-NRA candidates. HCI's Voter Education Fund ran hard-hitting radio and print ads in a number of key House and Senate races, highlighting the candidates' positions on the gu issue. We won in four of the six most hotly contested House races. Governor Clinton's victory, and his strong support for sensible gun laws, greatly improves the chances for passing meaningful legislation in the 103rd Congress. And while we still face tremendous opposition from the NRA, we no longer need to overcome the added obstacle of an administration bent on frustrating our efforts. [picture] Senator-Elect Carol Moseley Braun, a strong handgun control advocate, was endorsed by Illinois native Jim Brady in September. ------ Ballot: Handgun Control, Inc., Board of Directors Please detach and mail this entire page by December 31. Return to: Handgun Control, Inc., 1225 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20005 Vote for ONE candidate: To ensure that the gun lobby cannot disrupt this election, only original ballots will be accepted. Please do not return copies of this page. [] WILLIAM BLOOMFIELD, Jr. Los Angeles, California President of Web Service Company, Inc. Raised in Los Angeles, degrees from University of California Berkeley & Harvard University. "I am involved in Handgun Control to help level the playing field. The NRA's deleterious effect on the legislative process needs to be neutralized so the people can be protected by the firearm legislation they need. I purchased a billboard on Santa Monica Boulevard. It ran for seven months on one of the busiest streets in Los Angeles. Hundreds of thousands of area residents witnessed Handgun Control's powerful message. I will bring to the Board my experience gained from running a large, successful corporation, and my passion for the cause." [] VINCENT DEMARCO Baltimore, Maryland Assistant Attorney General of Maryland; Author of Maryland's landmark law banning Saturday Night Special handguns. Baltimore _Sunpapers_ "Marylander of the Year," 1988. Current Chairman of Marylanders Against Handgun Abuse. "I first became seriously involved in the gun control movement in late 1985. Our preemptive lobbying paid off when, as predicted, the NRA mounted a massive effort for a bill in the 1986 Session of the Maryland General Assembly to overturn the _Kelley_ case, the MD Court of Appeals decision holding distributors of Saturday Night Special handguns liable for damages caused by these crime guns. The bill to ban Saturday Night Specials was presented to the 1988 General Assembly and passed by wide margins in both Houses and was signed by the Governor. This new measure was recognized around the country as a landmark gun control law. During the 1992 session, I organized a coalition of law enforcement, community, religious, education, medical, and child advocacy groups behind a landmark child accident prevention law. Our new law took effect on October 1, 1992." [] MICHAEL GARNER Seattle, Washington Partner, Short, Cressman & Burgess; volunteer attorney with the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence "I see Handgun Control's agenda as having three key items - to educate, to persuade and to advocate. The educational process has largely succeeded, but must continue. However, our next step is to persuade our lawmakers to enact legislation we so desperately need. This requires marshalling public efforts and one-on-one meetings with our representatives. The third stage will be to provide the legal defense necessary to withstand the inevitable attacks which come on the constitutionality of the legislation after it has been enacted. We need to move more aggressively and confidently into the second and third areas. As a lawyer, I have had a chance to work with legislators and defend legislation in our courts. I believe I can contribute my professional experience and personal commitment to serve Handgun Control, and would welcome the opportunity to do so." [] NELSON GOODMAN, MD Crownsville, Maryland Doctor since 1954; Bowie Internal Medicine Associates, 1970 to present. Member since 1982 and long-time HCI Network Activist. "As a physician, I have witnessed firsthand the results of handgun violence, and have sought to emphasize the medical aspects of the handgun problem. I have sought support for study, dialogue, and legislative initiatives on the part of organized medicine to promote handgun control. I have been successful (along with others) in gaining AMA endorsement of gun control statutes on a national level, and Med Chi (the state medical society of Maryland) help, locally. As a native of Baltimore, I have long recognized the need to control the distribution and the use of handguns because of the devastation they wreak and the fear the engender. The are a major factor in the decline of our cities; and their havoc continues to escalate and spread. I have written many letters and resolutions, have testified before the Maryland legislature several times, and currently work for control of handguns on several committees of the Medical Society." [] DANIEL SEIGEL Havertown, Pennsylvania Attorney, Gay & Chacker, Member since 1983 and along-time HCI Network Activist and local spokesperson. "I frequently participate - both on my own and at HCI's request - in radio and television programs discussing the issue of gun control. In addition, I write extensively about both gun control and Second Amendment issues. Last year, I authored "The Second Amendment: Judicial Unanimity, Gun Owner Dissent," a chapter in The Bill of Rights: a Bicentennial View, a book published by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. My legal practice provides me with an opportunity to assist and represent victims of handgun violence. In these cases, it becomes increasingly obvious why we need laws to prevent persons who should not have guns from obtaining them. Stiff sentences for crimes committed with a gun may remove the criminal from the streets, but they do absolutely nothing for the innocent victim. The only thing that could have assisted the victim is a pre-sale background check. My diverse experience will be an asset to HCI's Board." ------ VOTE! ------