August 22nd, 2008
'Stop Handgun Violence' Unveils New Billboard In Boston To Close Gun Show Loophole
(The organization Stop Handgun Violence debuted its new 252 foot long billboard along the Mass. Pike to call on Congress to "close the gun show loophole.")
In this week's Freedom States Alliance Update the story of Mary McFate, who was outed as an NRA spy in a July 30th Mother Jones article, continues to grow. ABC News reported that a McCain insider, "James Jay Baker, served as executive director of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) in the late 1990s when it allegedly hired a woman, [Mary McFate], to pose as a gun control activist and funnel information back to the NRA" -- see coverage below.In our news section, several features include: reactions to the Texas Harrold School district's plan to arm teachers, Mayor Bloomberg endorses Congressman Mark Kirk's (IL) legislation to close the "fire sale loophole," and a spotlight on stories about gun massacres published in Esquire and Rolling Stone.
Finally, in our advocacy update, we posted an op-ed from FSA affiliate, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, about the dangers of keeping a gun in the home.
Sincerely,Freedom States Alliance
Update: Brady Campaign Claims McCain Insider Had Ties to NRA Spy Op, Mary "McFate"
James Jay Baker, who currently serves as a member of McCain's Sportsman Committee, was executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action when it allegedly hired Mary "McFate" - also known as Mary Lou Sapone.
News
Bloomberg's appearance with a gathering of area mayors and police chiefs ... joined U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, in calling on Washington to close a loophole that allows gun dealers to sell their inventory without background checks if they lose their Federal Firearms License.
"Can you imagine what would happen if we arrested a drug dealer, and before we took him in, we allowed him to sell all his (drugs)?" Bloomberg said. "There would be a riot."
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