
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 19, 1991                   TAG: 9104190702
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NEW NRA HEAD

LEADERSHIP of one of the nation's biggest lobbies passed last week to a Virginian. Wayne LaPierre, 41, who grew up in Roanoke, was picked to head the National Rifle Association, which has a 450-member staff and $87 million budget. A big responsibility.

LaPierre was a campaign and legislative aide for Roanoke's Del. Vic Thomas before joining the NRA in 1978 as a lobbyist. He was the organization's chief Washington lobbyist before succeeding Warren Cassidy. The latter had been accused of mismanaging NRA finances and, worse, not being tough enough with the NRA's growing number of adversaries. Gun control is gaining ground in Congress and in states and localities; gun enthusiasts see this as a critical time.

LaPierre has already made his mark as a hard-nosed advocate of gun owners' rights. Some in the legislative trenches say LaPierre plays rough, but that's been the NRA's way for many years. In person, LaPierre comes across as personable and reasonable.

LaPierre himself has said a lobbyist's most important asset is credibility. Not all will find that credible. The gun lobby knows what buttons to push; it plays on gun owners' fears of losing their weapons and lawmakers' fears of losing their jobs.

It would be a welcome turn if gun-control matters could be decided more on facts, logic and reason than on emotion. Both gun lobby and gun controllers would probably concur in that. Of course, each thinks it's the one with the facts on its side.

by CNB