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

DATE: SATURDAY, February 20, 1993                   TAG: 9302220265
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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FRINGE GROUPS?

OH, THOSE misguided Virginia associations of chiefs of police and commonwealth's attorneys, the state police and sheriffs' and campus law-enforcement associations, the bar association, the Fraternal Order of Police and Blue Ridge Association of Chiefs of Police, among others. They think they understand law enforcement. Yet they've endorsed Gov. Wilder's one-handgun-a-month legislation.

Also backing it are the state associations of school principals and superintendents, the PTAs and education associations, the hospital association and medical society, the League of Women Voters and the American Association of Retired Persons, among others. Fringe groups, apparently - willing to put Americans' way of life at risk.

President Clinton has endorsed the bill. We all know about him.

More recently, infamous extremist Ann Landers joined the fray. In her nationally syndicated column, she advised readers to contact Virginia lawmakers in support of the legislation. Of course, she is with the Media.

Those polls showing big majorities of Virginia residents supporting sensible gun control? Must be fabricated.

Even so, lawmakers just may say no to the National Rifle Association, and thus become an example to the nation.

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