Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 28, 1993 TAG: 9310280220
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"The NRA has paid for everything from his bumper stickers to his hospitality suites," Terry said of GOP candidate George Allen.
The NRA and other gun groups have contributed more than $60,000 to Allen's campaign, not including the radio commercials.
A spokesman for the NRA confirmed that the organization is paying for radio ads in Southside and Southwest Virginia, the two areas of the state where gun control is least popular, but would not provide additional details.
Terry also renewed her claim that Allen's plan to abolish parole is an "expensive gimmick" that will not reduce violent crime in Virginia.
Terry said many states have eliminated parole in recent years - including Florida and California - and still have seen increases in violent crime rates that outpace Virginia's jump.
"George Allen says that we in Virginia should copy Florida, where the violent crime rate is the highest in the nation," Terry told the Virginia Crime Prevention Association, a group of police and civic leaders that promotes safety programs. "He says we should copy California, where the violent crime rate is the third-highest in the nation."
Terry said ending parole "isn't only the centerpiece on [Allen's] anti-crime package, it's the only piece."
The Democrat argued that her anti-crime plan is more comprehensive than Allen's. In addition to expanding mandatory sentences for violent criminals, Terry has called for a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases and greater police presence in crime-ridden communities.
Later Wednesday, Terry flew to Norfolk. At a rally outside Granby Elementary School, she said Allen's support of using public funds to help private schools is proof of his ties to the "radical right."
Terry ducked into the school and asked a combined class of fourth- and fifth-graders what troubles them about their young lives.
"Drug use," came the first reply from the students, who clustered and clung to her.
"Violence on television," said another.
"No," a young, dark-haired boy said, "the scariest part is probably the news. It's not fiction - it's real."
A young boy complained about the perils of selling things to raise cash for class activities. "We get the money," he said, "but sometimes months go by before we get the candy."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB