—– Original Message —–
From: “Neal Knox” <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2000 1:42 PM
Subject: Forbes’ Strong Showing May Help McCain

Jan 26 update — Steve Forbes’ unexpectedly strong second place in
Monday night’s Iowa caucuses was largely due to the state’s
gunowners, who figured that among the stronger pro-gunners, he and
his hefty wallet had the best chance of winning the nomination.

George W. Bush doesn’t rank in my book as an anti-gunner even
if he has supported some softer gun measures (mainly those backed
by NRA). But the fact that three of his solidly pro-gun opponents
tallied over half the total vote may help keep him on the straight
and narrow.

Here in Arizona (where I’m tragically stuck in sunshine due to
the East Coast blizzard) the state association has ranked Forbes an
“A”, Bush a “B”, and their home-state Senator John McCain a “C-”.

They haven’t forgotten that McCain caused Republicans to
swallow a gun show bill last May.

Ironically, McCain may win the New Hampshire GOP primary next
week because Forbes’ strong Iowa showing may pull votes from Bush.
————

In a well-done article appearing in various newspapers around
the country, H. Sterling Burnett of the National Center for Policy
Analysis accuses the Clinton Administration of highest hypocrisy:
Suing gunmakers for the acts of gun-wielding criminals in public
housing while also suing to prevent housing authorities from
evicting criminals who live there.
————

Surprise, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, led by Denver Mayor
Wellington Webb, will release an anti-gun survey tomorrow during
their winter conference.
___________

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that Barney’s Firearms is
turning away men shooters on Wednesday nights because it’s Ladies
Night — where women can shoot for free, including free gun rental,
paying only for their ammo and targets.

Good idea — one that I hope other ranges will copy.
———

Yesterday “Shannon’s Law,” a bill that would make celebratory
firearm shooting into the air a felony thrice over, advanced
to the Arizona Senate. It’s named for a 14-year-old girl who was
killed by a falling bullet last summer.

Some Arizonans have taken exception to NRA’s support and my
non-opposition to the bill, pointing out that the existing felonies for
recklessly shooting into the air make the legislation purely a
“feel good bill.”

Yes it is. But a bill that doesn’t do anything beyond the
rarely enforced (unfortunately) present law — and I’m told the present
bill
doesn’t — does not do any damage, while opposing it on principle
gives the anti-gun crowd a stick with which to beat us over the
head.