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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 17, 1994                   TAG: 9403170186
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

BILL TO RESTRICT GUNS IN PUBLIC HOUSING

People who live in public housing projects would be able to ban unauthorized guns there under legislation proposed Wednesday by an Oregon congressman.

The measure, offered by Democratic Rep. Ron Wyden, would make it a felony to bring a gun into a public housing project where residents have voted to restrict them. Residents who own guns would have to register them with the local housing authority in order to keep them at home.

``We think it's time to try to create an environment where people work together to keep the guns out,'' Wyden said. ``If you have a community mobilization effort ... we're a lot better off than what's happening right now, where everybody lives in fear.''

The National Rifle Association opposes Wyden's initiative.

``We don't believe those kinds of laws contribute to getting guns out of the hands of criminals. They just make law-abiding citizens defenseless,'' said Tanya Metaksa, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. ``A right is a right, and it should not be determined by a vote of those living around you.''

by CNB