|
|
Article: Is NRA Losing Its Firepower? // Its Clout Seen Slipping After 2 Key Defeats
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- May 22, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1994 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
|
WASHINGTON For years, the National Rifle Association has been one
of Capitol Hill's big guns, its aura of power based on an ability to
deliver millions of dollars in campaign cash and to flood
congressional offices with telephone calls and letters during key
votes.
Its membership of more than 3 million is vast and committed,
often showing up in droves at city halls, county councils or state
legislatures to combat what they see as assaults on the Second
Amendment guarantee to bear arms.
But the NRA has lost two major votes in Congress in the last six
months. Last fall, the Brady bill established a five-day waiting
period for handguns. This month, 19 kinds of assault weapons were
banned.
...