FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For further information, call: April 19, 1993 Ed Klecka or Easter Th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 For further information, call:
April 19, 1993                        Ed Klecka or Easter Thompson,                 
             
                                      NRA Public Affairs
                                      (202-828-6326)
 
     NRA CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY INTO WACO RAID 
 
Washington, D.C. -- "The February 28th raid by the Bureau of 
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) raises more questions than 
it answers," said James Jay Baker, Executive Director, NRA 
Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA).  "But the deaths of 
four agents, and now innocent children and others, underscore the 
urgency of fact-finding around this horrific tragedy that is both 
thorough and independent."
 
Baker called for a full investigation to proceed immediately in 
court, in Congress, and through the White House.  "We believe 
President Clinton should consider appointing an independent 
special prosecutor -- whatever it takes to get an independent 
assessment of both facts and tactics that led to the Waco 
tragedy." 
 
NRA expressed hope that Congress would deal with this massive 
loss of life as it examines procedures for obtaining and serving 
the warrants, the judgment of the on-scene commander and the 
degree to which tactical control may have been influenced from 
afar.  
 
On the legality of particular firearms and their acquisition, 
Baker counseled against speculation.  "Handgun Control, Inc., and 
other gun prohibitionists lost no time exploiting the deaths of 
agents to advance an agenda that in no way relates to the 
situation in Waco.  Despite their false claims, none of the   
nation's 20,000 gun laws or even radical measures such as total 
prohibition or mass confiscation would prevent such tragedies," 
he said.  "Until the facts are established by the courts and the 
Congress, speculation can lead only to misguided public policy."
 
"One central question that the court and Congress should pose is 
why less aggressive forms of warrant service were rejected," said 
Richard Gardiner, NRA-ILA Legislative Counsel.  "The inquiry 
should also examine tactical control.  Did the raid's commander 
properly assess the developing tactical situation and act 
appropriately?  To what degree was that decision-making process 
influenced by political officials in Washington?" he asked.  
"What individuals in the Executive Branch knew there were 
innocent children present?  Who approved a raid knowing they were 
present?"  
 
Gardiner said that legitimate, lawful gun owners are fearful that 
tactics such as those employed in Waco might be wrongly directed 
at them.  And with some reason:  on December 16, 1991, Gardiner 
related, ATF agents and local law enforcement broke into the home 
of Tulsa, Oklahoma, resident John Lawmaster.  They cordoned off 
the street, took station with weapons drawn in the back yard, 
used a battering ram to break through the front door, broke into 
his gun safe, loaded his empty magazines, left guns and ammo on 
the floor, then left.  On his return, Lawmaster found his home a 
shambles.  A note amid the rubble said, "Nothing Found.  ATF."
 
"Because agents left his doors broken, his house accessible and 
his firearms and ammunition unsecured, Lawmaster feared tragedy 
might have followed had a child entered that house," Gardiner 
said.
 
"At the request of the government, the court sealed the affidavit 
that led to the search warrant and the break-in," said Gardiner.  
The district court denied Lawmaster's request for release of the 
affidavit.  Lawmaster has appealed and awaits a decision from the 
U.S. Court of Appeals.  The Lawmaster case is being supported by 
the NRA Firearms Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund.  
 
"Like Waco, the review of the Lawmaster case may be germane to 
evaluating ATF policy nationwide.  Such a review is extremely 
important considering the lack of media scrutiny of cases like 
Mr. Lawmaster's.  The national media appear to hold the belief 
that if a law-abiding American purchases a firearm he forfeits 
his civil rights."  


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