Mr. ORTH. Well, as far as we are concerned, I just testified, as far as extending the waiting period in the District of Columbia this past week, and that I took the position that this was perfectly proper. We had suggested the uniform State law be adopted. I will look into that, I will find out about it. I don't happen to know about it—have it on the tips of my fingers. I think it should be examined and I think it is proper that you have called it to my attention.

Senator DODD. I am glad to hear you say that. I have the bulletin. It is dated June 8, 1964, "A bulletin issued as a service to its members by the National Rifle Association, 1600 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.," signed by Mr. Frank C. Daniel.

(The document referred to was marked "Exhibit No. 61" and appears on page 216.)

Well, the significance of this is that here was the State of Maryand trying to get what I think is some reasonable and necessary control by State action. There was a public hearing. It ran into violent opposition. And among those who were heard were some of those who have been active against this bill. And they opposed it. It was not passed; it was defeated.

Mr. ORTH. Mr. Chairman, I understand there was a great deal more in that bill than just the waiting period that that wasn't particularly the frame of reference for the objection.

Senator DODD. Well, I have gone over that. There were other features to the bill, of course. But I observe that your organization never made any suggestions-just opposed the thing outright.

Mr. ORTH. Well, there have been, I think, cases where we have agreed with the legislation in the States, where we have urged it, and where it has been supported. And, as I say, during the past week in respect to the District of Columbia bill, I did testify for the extension of time, waiting period, for the police, because I think it is proper.

Senator DODD. Yes; I wish you had done that, or someone else, when the Maryland Legislature tried to get that bill through. It sort of characterizes what we have been up against.

I am not speaking of you personally. But I think it is fair to say that many of those who support your organization-they opposed the first bill I introduced. When the situation worsened I had to amend it. They opposed that. The situation has further worsened. I have introduced a new bill. Now they go back and say they would take the first or the second one, but they would not take them at the time.

It seems to me we have been in a crossfire. I wonder if they really want anything done at all?

Mr. ORTH. I am sure that they do.

Senator DODD. I hope so.

Mr. ОRTH. Mr. Carter is here, and I think that he can make a statement on the record to that effect, also.

Senator DODD. Well, I know Mr. Carter, think very highly of him. I would be glad to hear him.

Mr. CARTER. Thank you, Senator.

We certainly have a problem here in that we can make decisions, but we have not necessarily convinced all of our 700,000 members. We do our best to exercise whatever instruments of leadership there are available to us.

TO:

SUBJECT:

All NRA Members and Clubs in Prince George's County, Maryland

Bill No. 13, to Require a Waiting Period for the Transfer of a Pistol

An ordinance has been proposed by the Board of County Commissioners to amend the existing weapons law of the County.

A public hearing on the proposed firearms ordinance will be held at the Court House in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on Tuesday, June 16, 1964 at 1:00 P. M. The ordinance will be acted upon on that date.

The principal provisions of the proposed law are as follows:

a. Wholesale and retail dealers in pistols must register with the County
Superintendent of Police. No person or firm may engage in the business
of selling at retail or renting pistols without having a properly approved
registration statement from the Superintendent.

b. No dealer may sell or transfer any pistol to any person under 21 years
of age, or to any person who the dealer has reasonable cause to believe has
been convicted of a crime of violence, has been committed to an institution
for mental illness or drug addiction and has not been discharged there from for
a period of 3 years preceding the date of application, or to any person who
has been validly denied the right to purchase or acquire a handgun by the
Superintendent of Police.

c. No registered dealer may deliver any pistol to the purchaser until 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) have elapsed from the time the application has been received by the Superintendent of Police. On the day of receipt, the Superintendent shall mail a card to the dealer, stating the time and date of receipt of the application.

d. A person who wishes to purchase a pistol must fill out an application
stating his name, address, occupation, place and date of birth, date and hour
of application, and a statement that he has never been convicted in this State
or elsewhere of a crime of violence, that he is not an habitual drunkard, or
a drug addict, and that he has never been committed to an institution for
treatment of mental illness.

e. The Superintendent must destroy all applications within 10 days of receipt,
but must maintain registration of such pistols.

f. If the dealer does not receive, in writing, a disapproval from the
Superintendent within 10 days, the dealer may transfer the pistol to the
purchaser.

g. A denial by the Superintendent may be appealed to the Board of County
Commissioners. A confirmation of the denial by the Board may be appealed
to the Circuit Court of the County.

h. Among the exceptions to the ordinance are: (1) rental of pistols by
persons over 21 years of age while upon a supervised range; (2) purchases
of handguns by a registered dealer; (3) the delivery of a pistol to its
lawful owner by any person with whom such pistol has been left on consignment,
for safe keeping, or for repairs.

The principal purpose of this proposal is a waiting period for the purchase, borrowing, renting or otherwise acquiring of a pistol from a registered dealer. The majority of jurisdictions in the Greater Washington Metropolitan area already have a waiting period requirement. Only Montgomery and Prince George's Counties do not have such a requirement. However, a similar proposal was recently tabled by the Montgomery County Council."

The citizens of Prince George's County should judge for themselves whether or not such a waiting period, in the light of existing conditions and atmosphere, will be a desirable addition to the present County law.

The bill from a technical point of view adequately protects citizens of good character from any arbitrary denial of their right to purchase a handgun. It should be judged on the basis of whether or not a waiting period for the purchase of a handgun is desirable for the County, and whether or not the length of the waiting period is reasonable.

Recent reports in the press stated that the County Grand Jury recommends more regulation than a waiting period. This body went on record as favoring a permit for. the purchase of a handgun by any person, without exception.

As to the proposed minimum age of 21 years for the transfer of a pistol, it should be noted that existing Maryland law prohibits the sale of any firearm or ammunition to any minor under the age of 18 years without the express permission of a parent or guardian of such minor.

Shooter-sportsmen should make an effort to attend the hearing on Tuesday afternoon, June 16. If this is not possible, then the sportsman should--by wire, phone call or personal visit--let the members of the Board of County Commissioners know what he thinks of this proposal. Their address is County Commissioners, Prince George's County, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

When giving your opinion, be objective and persuasive--never abusive.

Frank C. Daniel
Secretary

Members of the Prince George's County Board of Commissioners:

Frank J. Lastner, Chairman

M. Bayne Brooke, Vice-Chairman

Jesse S. Baggett

Gladys Noon Spellman

Robert F. Sutphin

The principal idea is that we wish to be in a position of responsibility. I have recently appointed a committee, an NRA committee, on law and order, to do the thing in the organization which we have always attempted to do as individuals.

We really do feel a keen sense of responsibility here. And it is partly a responsibility of leadership.

We believe in the objectives that you are working for, and we believe in the objectives in the President's statement on crime, on March 8, this year.

Senator DODD. Yes; I think that the NRA could be a tremendous influence for good in this field, and it should be. I know the attitude of their officers, in general and particular. I have consulted with them often, I am glad to say publicly.

The thing I have been having great trouble with has come from the members, some others in the organization who certainly were not following his lead, as I think they should have. And the net result has been a tremendous amount of confusion in this regard.

I remember going on television and radio, being asked what about the NRA. I said over and over again, its officials are for this legislation. My colleagues in Congress, would say, How in the world can this be true, when they get this mountain of mail from the membership? So that is where we find ourselves this morning.

I hope maybe in the new newsletter you can straighten this out and correct the mistakes, and perhaps saying you are for some legislation. Mr. CARTER. We will certainly be happy to give that consideration, Senator.

Senator DODD. Thank you.

I thank you, General. I hope you and I continue to work together and get this bill through.

Mr. ORTH. We shall.

(The N.R.A. newsletter of April 9, 1965, referred to was marked "Exhibit No. 62" and is as follows:)

EXHIBIT No. 62

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA,

Washington, D.C., April 9, 1965.

DEAR NRA MEMBER: In January 1965, Senator Thomas J. Dodd (Connecticut) introduced S. 14, a bill designed to regulate the mail-order sale of guns. Senator Dodd declared his intention to be the regulation of mail-order gun business for the purpose of eliminating sales to juveniles, criminals, and persons who would be in violation of State law or local ordinance in receiving the gun.

On March 22, 1965, Senator Dodd introduced S. 1592, recommended by the administration. This bill goes far beyond the previously stated purpose of regulating only the mail-order gun business.

S. 1592, the latest bill, prohibits all mail-order sales to individuals and permits such sales only between licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers. Thus it places harsh and unreasonable restrictions upon law-abiding citizens who wish to order sporting firearms (rifles and shotguns) by mail, especially those citizens who do not have convenient access to licensed dealers for over-the-counter sales. This bill, if enacted, would give the Secretary of the Treasury, or his delegate, unlimited power to surround all sales of guns by dealers with arbitrary and burdensome regulations and restrictions.

Anyone engaged in the manufacture of ammunition would be required to have a $1,000 manufacturer's license. Apparently this would apply to a club engaged in reloading for its members. Anyone selling any rifle ammunition, even 22 caliber, would be compelled to have a $100 dealer's license. This would eliminate the usual hardware and other small store sales.

If you transported your rifle or shotgun to another State for a lawful purpose, such as hunting, you would have to comply with such burdensome restrictions and redtape as might be required by the regulations.

A dealer could not sell to a nonresident of his State. This provision, and the restrictions on transporting guns from one State to another, could be unduly restrictive on a great many people who live near State boundaries or those who must go into another State to shop.

A gun shipped for service repairs could only be shipped under the regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury and then only for "authorized" service. Again, burdensome restrictions are threatened.

A dealer's license could be refused to an applicant if the Treasury believes that by reason of business experience, financial standing, or trade connections, he is not likely to operate in compliance with the act. What does this mean? An importer could not bring in any new firearm unless the Secretary deems that such importation "would not be contrary to the public interest." What does this mean?

This bill conceivably could lead to administrative decisions imposing such a burden on the sale, possession, and use of firearms for legitimate purposes as to totally discourage, and thus to eliminate, the private ownership of all guns.

We strongly urge you, as a sportsman and law-abiding citizen, immediately to write your Senators and Congressmen, respectfully, to voice your views as to S. 1592 and to insist that public hearings are held on this bill. We also urge you and your friends to write the President and express your opinions and concern. Write now, or it may soon be too late.

Sincerely yours,

FRANKLIN L. ORTH, Executive Vice President.

HOW TO WRITE YOUR LETTER

Your representatives in the U.S. Congress are keenly interested in what you think and want with respect to pending Federal legislation. They are sincere and dedicated people, and they are also extremely busy. To makes your communication to them meaningful, you may find the following ideas helpful. Do These Things:

Do send a personal communication saying what you think and want done. Do ask others to do the same. This is a matter of pressing importance to every citizen and sportsman.

Do be brief, but give reasons for your beliefs and wishes. Do Not Do These Things:

Do not send the enclosed letter to your representative. He is interested only in what you think.

Do not ever be abusive or resort to name calling. This can only be harmful.

Do not rely on petitions. These are relatively ineffective compared to personal communications.

Do not doubt for one second the effectiveness of your one voice. Something you say may be the one thing to change an opinion.

Do not leave this to someone else to do. If the battle is lost, it will be your loss and that of all who follow you.

(If you do not know the names of your Congressman or your Senators, you can obtain this information from your town, city, or county clerk or your local post office.)

(A Treasury Department analysis of the N.R.A. newsletter of April 9, 1965, was marked "Exhibit No. 63" and is as follows:)

EXHIBIT No. 63

ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION LETTER TO NRA MEMBERS DATED APRIL 9, 1965, CONCERNING S. 1592

GENERAL COMMENTS

On April 9, 1965, the National Rifle Association of America mailed to its membership a letter relative to S. 1592. This bill was introduced by Senator Dodd on March 22, 1965, to amend the Federal Firearms Act and is an integral part of the President's program to combat the increasing prevalence of crime in America.

This letter urged that the membership of the association and their friends write to their Senators and Congressmen and to the President of the United States voicing their views on S. 1592.