Date: Wed, 07 Jul 1999 00:21:13 -0300
From:  ARMARIA ON-LINE 
To: Sporting.Shooters.Association@adelaide.on.net

This is to tell you that we created a new organization (on April 21) to
lobby against the Brazilian Government intent of prohibiting firearms in
our country.  Its name is ANPCA - National Association of Firearms Owners
and Retailers.  This assn. is supported by all Brazilian shooters, hunters
and collectors organizations. 

Although we are few and have little know-how in lobbying affairs, we
already managed to win several battles against the government.  We dropped
the "urgent" classification of the proposed federal law and, in the State
of Rio de Janeiro, we got a court decision that the state law is
unconstitutional. 

But, more important than this, we are winning the media war. The anti-gun
lobby wasnt prepared to face resistance. When we challenged their ideas in
debates and interviews, the public noticed that their argumentation was
empty.  Polls conducted by several magazines now show that public support
for this prohibition is fading. 

The federal proposal will go to congress approval next august. Right now
we cannot predict the outcome, but for sure it will not be an easy battle.
Any pressure our friends in Australia can put on Brazilian officials will
be of great help. 

We are taking the Australian example of increasing crime rates after the
buy back to our authorities.  Keep on the good fight. 

Best regards,

Leonardo Arruda
Public Relations Director of ANPCA

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