A summary of the comments and recommendations which the witness proposes to make: We are considering Federal proposals as follows: 1. To define, protect, and encourage the lawful use of firearms. 2. To promote civilian marksmanship by much larger appropriations; point credit for military Reserve training; and use of surplus real property, arms, and supplies. 3. Stronger control of subversion by State and Federal officials and better enforcement of present laws. 4. Extend civil rights protection to the second amendment. 5. Amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax deductions for gifts to organizations promoting the second amendment. 6. A congressional investigation of subversive influences in harsh, antigun schemes which would disarm America. The treatment will be under the following headings: I. THE PROBLEM The problem is how to curb the use of firearms in crime and yet protect the civil rights of law-abiding citizens, under State and Federal constitutions, to defend law, life, liberty, property, home, and country. II. POINTS FOR DISCUSSION My points for discussion are as follows: Point 1 Important and controversial firearms bills should be drafted by major interested groups, and not just by one group with a one-sided view. Point 2 We need positive, affirmative, and constructive Federal firearms laws. Point 3 Recommendation: All bills should be referred back for further study and redrafting by major interested groups, including law enforcement officials; sportsmen; military reserve; gun collectors, dealers, and manufacturers; conservationists; and safety groups. WITNESS: J. W. HORNADY, PRESIDENT, HORNADY MANUFACTURING CO. SUMMARY OF STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD I have prepared a statement opposing the Senate's version of the administration's fireams control bill, S. 1592, and would like to be heard on the House version as well. I believe the overly stringent control provisions of this bill will severely damage thousands of small legitimate businesses throughout the Nation and impose unnecessary hardships on sportsmen in this country without having an appreciable effect upon crime. I am especially interested in the bills presently before Congress as they contain provisions directly affecting my own business. 51-635-65-pt. 2- -23 WITNESS: HON. FRANK HORTON, MEMBER OF CONGRESS (NEW YORK) SUMMARY OF STATEMENT I support H.R. 7626, a bill to amend the Federal Firearms Act, which I introduced on April 27. The purpose of my proposal is to regulate the mail-order sale of handguns, because I believe there presently is too little restriction on the movement on these weapons to keep them from the hands of those who cannot give them the respect they deserve. I do not favor any of the harsh proposals presently pending, since I believe they would seriously endanger every citizen's constitutional rights without affording citizen protection consonant with this deprivation. Handguns, according to most experts, are the problem we face today in terms of juvenile delinquency and adult crime. Therefore, my bill would require a sworn statement of age and absence of criminal record from the prospective purchaser of a handgun via the mail-order and common carrier route. Also in my bill is provision for identity of the local law enforcement agency to receive a description, excluding serial number, of the weapon sold. And, my bill prohibits interstate commerce of handguns to recipients under 18 years of age. I am pleased that the National Rifle Association has endorsed my bill and I ask the committee to report it. WITNESS: ROBERT L. SALTER, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, IDAHO FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT SUMMARY OF STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD (Prepared by staff of Committee on Ways and Means) Opposes H.R. 6628 and H.R. 6783 on the basis that they are in conflict with the second amendment of the Constitution and would be an infringement of the American citizens' right to possess and bear arms. It is clear that this kind of legislation is unnecessary, unwarranted, and a detriment to future welfare. Any unnecessary restrictions on the free use of firearms would have the effect of reducing the participation of American citizens in the sport of hunting. This legislation would not achieve the desired effect because persons involved in the commission of crimes cannot be expected to conform to any law. Free and unrestricted use of firearms in the sport of hunting outshadows the need for retrictive controls with their very doubtful benefits. Favors H.R. 5642 and H.R. 5641 because they are specifically directed at the criminal. WITNESS: ROBERT J. KUKLA, LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, ILLINOIS STATE RIFLE ASSOCIATION SUMMARY OF STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD Certain police force elements quite obviously favor the complete disarmament of everyone except the police as the solution to crimes committed with guns. However, this is not the view taken by the more knowledgeable and responsible police authorities. They well realize that inanimate objects, such as firearms, do not and cannot cause crime. They do not and cannot supply either the motive or the impulse. The causes of crime must be sought elsewhere in greed, hatred, jealously, and moral depravity-and the remedy, if there be any, is more likely to be found in morals and education, in improved methods of detection, and in more prompt and certain imposition of punish ment. Those persons who advocate strict firearms regulations, do not know how to disarm the criminal and they, consequently, propose controls which would have as their sole effect the disarming of the honest man. The Illinois State Rifle Association supports the view that all lawabiding citizens have the right to purchase, possess, and use firearms for all traditionally legitimate purposes. We believe that violent crimes are acts of individuals, and that such acts are not inherent in any instrument used, including firearms. We believe that deterrent legislation must provide punishment for those acts, and to be effective, that those punishments must be promptly and firmly applied. The Illinois State Rifle Association has consistently favored increased and mandatory sentences where armed force has been used in the commission of a crime. This seems to us a logical and sensible approach. Combined with effective enforcement of existing firearm laws, we believe this will best reduce improper or criminal use of guns. We fully support legislation designed to prohibit the sale of firearms to persons who have been convicted of a crime of violence, fugitives from justice, drug addicts, mental incompetents, and other undesirables. We object, however, to legislation which places the power to determine who can or cannot purchase or possess a gun within the arbitrary control of any police official or agency. Our experience clearly indicates that some law enforcement officers view the possession of firearms by private citizens with a jaundiced eye, and are unwilling to give approval to firearms purchases because of the possibility that some unlawful use will be made of the firearm. The Illinois State Rifle Association believes that the existing gun regulations are sufficient if promptly and properly enforced. As American citizens, we are proud of our heritage and cherish our right to keep and bear arms. We, as a group, oppose any attempt to remove those privileges from the honest citizen in the guise of disarming the dishonest. WITNESS: H. W. GLASSEN, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FISH, GAME & CONSERVATION COMMISSIONERS SUMMARY OF STATEMENT I wish to offer testimony before your committee in opposition to adoption of S. 1592 or its companion bill introduced in the House. My testimony will have to do with the effect that such very restrictive legislation will have upon the income by way of hunting licenses to conservation departments and the overall effect on conservation programs throughout the United States as a result thereof. OF WITNESS: ROBERT T. DENNIS, ASSISTANT CONSERVATION DIRECTOR, IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE AMERICA SUMMARY OF STATEMENT We will generally oppose the administration's proposal to amend the Federal Firearms Act (H.R. 6628). We will generally support its proposal to amend the National Firearms Act (H.R. 6629). In essence, our statement will set forth certain firearms controls which the league would support, others which it would not. We will suggest that the Congress consider a four-bill package approach to the firearms misuse problem: (a) A bill along the lines of H.R. 5642; (b) a bill along the lines of H.R. 7472; (c) a bill along the lines of H.R. 6629, but with amendments; and (d) a bill setting Federal standards under which an individual may transport personal firearms through any State or locality without being arrested for violation of State or local controls. WITNESS: GEORGE C. MOORE, DIRECTOR, KANSAS FORESTRY, FISH & GAME COMMISSION SUMMARY OF STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD (Prepared by staff of Committee on Ways and Means) Opposes the so-called Dodd antigun legislation but does not oppose all Federal control on handling of certain types of firearms. Would support some type of legislation relating to certain types of firearms and explosives. Opposes all legislation that would materially interfere and hurt the sport of hunting. WITNESS: W. B. HICKS, JR., EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, LIBERTY LOBBY SUMMARY OF STATEMENT We are opposing administration proposals as they now stand, hoping to offer constructive alternatives which would make them more acceptable. In response to this request, Liberty Lobby can say that it has given the firearms proposals extensive study and analysis and, in doing so, has summarized its comments and recommendations by raising these questions, which shall be answered by Mr. Hicks in his testimony: (a) Does the legislation recognize the source of our firearms problems and take steps to correct that illness; or does it merely treat the symptoms and force the illness to rage on underground? (6) Can the legislation be enforced; or like prohibition, will its circumvention merely enrich the coffers of the highly organized underground? (c) Does it impose unreasonable and unconstitutional burdens upon honest members of society out of proportion to the restraint it might impose upon the dishonest? (d) Is there a better way to curb the danger? WITNESS: R. K. YANCEY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, LOUISIANA WILD LIFE & FISHERIES COMMISSION SUMMARY OF STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD (Prepared by staff of Committee on Ways and Means) Unanimously and unalterably opposed to H.R. 6628 and H.R. 6723 because they would adversely affect over 300,000 sportsmen who use firearms for outdoor recreational purposes in the State of Louisiana. Object to the ban on mail order sales of firearms used in hunting; to the delegation of unspecified authority to the Secretary of Treasury to regulate the purchase, shipment, transportation, and sale of firearms and ammunition; to prohibition against sale of hunting rifles and shotguns to those under 18; and to heavy license fees on dealers and manufacturers. WITNESS: JAMES MCWILLIAMS SUMMARY OF STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD (Prepared by staff of Committee on Ways and Means) I oppose the administration's bills primarily because they are unconstitutional; they contain no provisions for the prosecution of criminals; and they would tend to disarm the law-abiding citizen but would not hinder the criminal from obtaining guns. WITNESS: RONALD T. SPEERS, COMMISSIONER, MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND GAME SUMMARY OF STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD (Prepared by staff of Committee on Ways and Means) Opposes H.R. 6628 and H.R. 6783 because they would restrict the private ownership of guns, would infringe on the constitutional rights of American citizens, would result in inestimable damage to wildlife conservation programs, and would effect a further invasion of the |