THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 9, 1996 TAG: 9605090403
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
The National Rifle Association on Wednesday endorsed James C. Miller III for U.S. Senate in the June 11 Republican primary.
Tanya Metaksa, executive director of the NRA's political activities, joined Miller at news conferences across the state to announce the news.
She praised Miller for being in sync with the NRA's philosophy that ``responsible gun owners are not the cause of crime.
Metaksa declined to discuss in detail the voting record of Miller's opponent - three-term incumbent Sen. John W. Warner. The NRA has endorsed Warner in past elections.
``Unfortunately, we didn't leave John Warner,'' she said. ``John Warner left us.''
Miller is strongly wooing the pro-gun vote, often traveling in his red pickup and frequently campaigning at gun shows.
``The liberals in Congress would have you believe that the availability of guns to U.S. citizens is a major cause of crime,'' Miller said. ``To the contrary, the availability of arms is a deterrent to crime.''
Miller said he would vote to repeal the Brady Bill, which imposed a waiting period for gun purchases. Warner supported the measure.
Miller said he also opposes Congress' ban on certain semiautomatic weapons. Warner supported the ban.
``The tragedy of the liberals' focus on gun control is that they miss the real causes of crime,'' Miller said, calling for increased emphasis on law enforcement and tougher sentencing for violent criminals.
Metaksa said the NRA would try to mobilize its 100,000 Virginia members to vote for Miller.
She declined to say whether the NRA will solicit money for Miller's cash-strapped campaign or sponsor a television commercial on his behalf.
Warner, meanwhile, began airing the first television ad of the campaign on Wednesday.
The 30-second commercial, dubbed ``Duty and Honor,'' is designed to portray Warner as a patriot and highlight his conservative credentials.
The ad notes that Warner served in two wars, was secretary of the Navy and is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
``He worked at Ronald Reagan's side to help end the Cold War,'' the ad intones, showing a picture of Warner and the former president in the Oval Office.
Many right-wing Republicans in Virginia have accused Warner of maintaining a liberal voting record on many social issues, such as abortion and gun control.
Seeking to overcome the criticism, the commercial describes Warner as ``conservative'' four times.
Miller replied: ``The incantation of the word `conservative' does not bestow on the cantor the record of a conservative.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
BILL TIERNAN/The Virginian-Pilot
U.S. Senate candidate James C. Miller III, left, with NRA official
Tanya Metaksa on Wednesday in Norfolk: ``The availability of arms is
a deterrent to crime,'' Miller said, adding that he opposes a
waiting period for gun purchases and a ban on some semiautomatic
weapons.
by CNB