Community Day at Arsenal Park
Five members of the governing board of Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence--Kathy George, John Griffin, Patricia Maurey, Marian Towne, and Wanda Wheeler--staffed an information booth at Community Day on July 25 sponsored by the Indianapolis Police Department, North District.
 
Immunity from Prosecution Bill (S. 659)
Board members Kathy George and Joe Zelenka joined Rob Wilcox of the Brady Campaign to testify at a press conference at the State House on June 26, at which it was revealed that Don's Guns in Indianapolis has sold 389 guns which have been traced to crimes, making that business one of the most notorious in the Midwest.
 
Letters and telephone calls are desperately needed to Senator Evan Bayh's office to urge him to support the Senate filibuster and, should the bill come to the floor, to vote NO on Senate Bill 659.  The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence says that the bill is "a blatant attempt by the gun lobby to deny victims of gun violence their day in court.  This bill would bar city, county and even individual lawsuits against the gun industry and would throw out pending suits against the gun industry.  The gun lobby has already succeeded in passing this bill in the House and has gotten a large number of co-sponsors in the Senate."  Pres. Bush has said he would sign this bill into law if passed by both houses of Congress.
 
Sen. Bayh may be reached through the U. S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or in Indianapolis at his office at 554-0750.  His mailing address in Indianapolis is 1650 Market Tower, 10 W. Market St., Indianapolis 46204.
 
Assault Weapons Ban
The Assault Weapons Ban, passed in 1994, is in danger of being sunset, effective September 14, 2004, if it is not renewed by Congress.  That would make the AK-47, the UZI, and seventeen other types of semiautomatic weapons legal again.  Pres. Bush has said he would sign the reauthorization of the ban when Congress passed it. Be alert for opportunities to sign a petition to renew the ban and contact your U. S. Representative and Senator in support of the ban. Senator Frank Lautenberg has introduced Senate Bill 1431, a companion to the McCarthy/Conyers bill in the U. S. House of Representatives, to renew the ban.
               
Survey of Hunters on Gun Violence Prevention
Over three months last spring Field & Stream magazine took an informal survey of  2,897 of its readers about the state of hunting in America.  A few questions concerned gun violence prevention.
 

• Do you consider assault-style rifles to be legitimate sporting guns?  67% No, 33% Yes.

 

• Do you think people who want to purchase rifles and shotguns should be given background checks before they are allowed to buy the guns?  66% Yes, 34% No.

 

• Do you belong to the National Rifle Association?  57% No, 43% Yes.

 

Fri., October 3,  Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence annual meeting. 
The morning speaker will be Barbara Rubel, a national expert on suicide prevention. The Marott Apartments, 2625 North Meridian, 8:30 am-2:30 pm.  A free lunch is provided.  To register, call 278-0945.
 
Mon., October 20, City-County Candidates' Forum
All candidates for the Indianapolis and Marion County Council have been invited to participate in a pre-election forum on Monday evening, October 20, from 7 to 9 pm at North United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 3808 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis.  The focus will be on gun violence prevention.  (The election will be Tuesday, Nov. 4.) Dr. Stephen Dunlop, a psychiatrist and member of the governing board of Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence, will moderate the discussion.
 
Tues., November 4, Election Day
6 am to 6 pm.
 
Sat., November 8, Annual Meeting of Hoosiers Concerned
10 AM to 12 noon
Guest Speaker: Mayor Scott King of Gary, Indiana
Bethany Room, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, NW corner of 46th & Illinois Street, Indianapolis.
 
Renew Your Membership
Is it time to renew your membership in HCGV?  If you have not paid your dues this year, you may do so by Clicking Here.