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- <text id=91TT0955>
- <title>
- May 06, 1991: American Notes:Washington
- </title>
- <history>
- TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1991
- May 06, 1991 Scientology
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>Time Magazine</source>
- <hdr>
- NATION, Page 27
- American Notes
- WASHINGTON
- Gunfight on Capitol Hill
- </hdr><body>
- <p> The idea of a federally mandated seven-day waiting period for
- the purchase of handguns has cleared a major hurdle, setting the
- stage for the legislative equivalent of the gunfight at the O.K.
- Corral.
- </p>
- <p> Advocates of gun control strongly back the so-called Brady
- bill, which allows for checks on the buyer's criminal and
- emotional history. The measure is named for former White House
- press secretary James S. Brady, who was disabled by a handgun
- fired at President Reagan in 1981. The National Rifle
- Association claims the law would deprive citizens of their right
- to bear arms.
- </p>
- <p> Though a similar bill was defeated on the House floor in
- 1988, the House Judiciary Committee last week voted 23 to 11 to
- approve it. The showdown comes on the House floor next week. Two
- prominent N.R.A. life members have greatly enhanced the bill's
- chances: Ronald Reagan endorsed it last month, and President
- Bush has said he would not veto the plan if it became part of
- his omnibus anticrime package.
- </p>
-
- </body></article>
- </text>
-
-