Lethal Passage: The Story of a Gun

ABBREVIATIONS USED

ATF — Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

ATF-CR1 — ATF Case Report. Case no. 93215 85 1526P. Federal Records Center, Atlanta.

ATF-CR2 — ATF Case Report. Case no. 93215 85 1526P-Supplemental. Federal Records Center, Atlanta.

EE-ASC — Estelle Elliot vs. Atlantic Shores Christian School. Virginia Beach Circuit Court. CV 89–1022.

ET-SP — Earl Taylor, et al. vs. Snell Publishing, et al. Fulton County Superior Court, Atlanta. Case D-26477.

GAO — U.S. Government Accounting Office

NES — Nicholas Elliot. Statement to police, December 16, 1988. Police case no. 88–222747. Page numbers refer to locations in court documents or in transcripts of testimony commissioned by author.

PA-JH — Pa. vs. Jean-Claude Pierre Hill. Superior Court, Philadelphia. No. 4178, Philadelphia, 1992. Court transcript.

US-AF — U.S. vs. Amir Faraz. U.S. District Court, Norfolk. CR 91–154-N.

US-CW — U.S. vs. Curtis Williams. U.S. District Court, Norfolk. CR-88–145-N. March 1, 1989.

US-DA — U.S. vs. Dean Archer. U.S. District Court, Norfolk. CR 91–4-N.

US-PEG — U.S. vs. Pablo Escobar-Gaviria, et al. U.S. District Court, Jacksonville, Florida 89–29-CR-J-16. Indictment, February 24, 1989, 12, 13, 14.

U.S.-SWD — U.S. vs. SWD Inc. and RPB Industries Inc. U.S. District Court, Atlanta. CR-86–22A. Federal Records Center, Atlanta.

VA-NE — Virginia vs. Nicholas Elliot. Circuit Court, Virginia Beach, Virginia. CR89–1681. Page numbers refer to locations in court documents or in transcripts of testimony commissioned by author.

WF-SE — William Farley vs. SNUG Enterprises (t/a Guns Unlimited). Circuit Court, Virginia Beach, Virginia, CL 89–2047. Page numbers refer to locations in transcripts commissioned by author. Testimony with no page citation means I culled the testimony from a videotape of the trial made by Court TV in New York.

Chapter One: Introduction

1 On a bitter, cold… Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, March 1, 1989, A1.

2 A single homicide… Here I refer to Patrick Purdy’s January 17, 1989, assault on a school in Stockton, California, which killed five children, and James Oliver Huberty’s attack on a McDonald’s restaurant, which left twenty-one people dead.

3 I acquired… License, form 8. ATF.

4 I discovered… “Putting Guns Back Into Criminals’ Hands.” Violence Policy Center, 1992.

5 I learned too… “Accidental Shootings: Many Deaths and Injuries Caused by Firearms Could Be Prevented,” GAO, March 1991; “Compilation of Statutes Administered by CPSC.” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, April 1992.

6 One evening… Georgia Sport Shooting Association, American Legion Hall, Smyrna, Georgia, November 21, 1992.

Chapter Two: Nicholas

1 Virginia Beach alone… Printout of Virginia and Maryland Federal Firearms Licensees. ATF, May 12, 1992.

2 The Atlantic Shores Baptist… George Sweet, interview.

3 The church school… Richmond Times Dispatch, December 18, 1988, 1.

4 As of December 16… Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, correction, April 21, 1989.

5 “As far as I know…” George Sweet, interview.

6 He had dyslexia… Complaint. EE-ASC.

7 A Virginia Beach psychiatrist… Judge’s notes. VA-NE.

8 Another psychiatrist… Sentencing hearing. VA-NE, December 12, 1989, 18.

9 He told Det. Donald Adams… NES, 8.

10 “Like fire…” George Sweet, interview.

11 Billy would call… (Billy Cutter), testimony. VA-NE, February 28, 1989, 105, 107, 114.

12 At six foot one… Ibid., 106.

13 “There was some slapping…” Duncan Wallace, testimony. VA-NE, December 12, 1989, 16.

14 Dr. Wallace found… Ibid., 12.

15 As Nicholas left… (Billy Cutter). VA-NE, 112.

16 “I can’t take…” NES, 44–45.

17 At lunch… William Farley, interview.

18 His locker… Det. Donald Adams, interview.

19 One told… Norfolk Ledger-Star, December 18, 1988, 1.

20 Even the guns… NES, 42.

21 His mother worried… NES, 43–44.

22 When she arrived… NES, 2.

23 His mother, during… Estelle Elliot, sentencing hearing. VA-NE, 6.

24 In California… Duncan Wallace. Ibid., 17.

25 On arriving… Estelle Elliot. Ibid., 10, 11.

26 “The public schools…” Ibid., 7.

27 “She said something…” NES, 20.

28 “I’ve heard…” NES, 21.

29 When Adams asked… NES, 63.

30 This was clearly evident… Karen Farley, videotape.

31 The morning of December 16… William Farley, interview.

32 She had begun… Ibid.

33 “Do you think…” Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, December 10, 1988, D1.

Chapter Three: The Lethal Landscape

1 “I know several…” Anthony Cobb, letter to author, February 2, 1993.

2 Over the last… The statistics in this paragraph may be found in: American Academy of Pediatrics, Policy Statement, AAP NEWS (January 1992): 22; Garen Wintemute, “Firearms as a Cause of Death in the United States, 1920–1982,” The Journal of Trauma 27:5 (May 1987): 532; Los Angeles Times, May 17, 1992, 1; Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special Report (July 1990).

3 A relatively new… Gary J. Ordog, et al., “Gunshot Wounds in Children Under 10 Years of Age,” American Journal of Diseases of Children 142 (June 1988): 618–22.

4 No one knows… American Academy of Pediatrics, Policy Statement, 20.

5 The story is less… Michael Pertschuk, interview.

6 Over the most… “Civilian Firearms: Domestic Production, Importation, Exportation and Availability for Sale, 1899–1989,” ATF.

7 As of 1989… Ibid.

8 One study of… American Academy of Pediatrics, Policy Statement, 20.

9 A July 1993 poll… Louis Harris, “A Survey of Experiences, Perceptions, and Apprehensions About Guns Among Young People in America,” LH Research Inc. (July 1993): 12, 13.10 The Harris poll… Ibid., 12.

11 A University of North Carolina… Laura S. Sadowski, “Firearm Ownership Among Nonurban Adolescents,” American Journal of Diseases of Children 143 (December 1989): 1412.

12 From 1965 to 1990… “Crime in the United States,” FBI, Uniform Crime Reports, 279.

13 Anyone inclined… Baltimore Sun, July 20, 1993, 1.

14 In 1985 stray… New York Times, December 31, 1990, A25.

15 In 1987, America’s… Lois A. Fingerhut, “International and Interstate Comparisons of Homicide Among Young Males,” JAMA 263:24 (June 27, 1990): 3292–93.

16 A landmark study… Arthur L. Kellermann and Donald T. Reay, “Protection or Peril?” New England Journal of Medicine 314:24 (June 12, 1986): 1557–60.

17 A Pittsburgh… David A. Brent, et al., “The Presence and Accessibility of Firearms in the Homes of Adolescent Suicides,” JAMA 266:21 (December 4, 1991): 2989–95.

18 In 1987, Dr. Garen… Garen J. Wintemute, “Firearms as a Cause of Death in the United States, 1920–1982,” Journal of Trauma 27:5 (May 1987): 535.

19 A 1986 study… Jeffrey H. Boyd, “Firearms and Youth Suicide,” American Journal of Public Health 76:10 (October 1986): 1240–42.

20 He established… Franklin E. Zimring, “Firearms, Violence and Public Policy,” Scientific American (November 1991): 50.

21 In one of… John H. Sloan, et al., “Handgun Regulations, Crime, Assaults, and Homicide,” New England Journal of Medicine 319 (1988): 1256.

22 “WHAT WILL IT TAKE…” National Rifle Association advertisement, 1992.

23 The story described… Ed Magnuson, “Do Guns Save Lives,” Time, August 21, 1989, 25–26.

24 The American Rifleman does not… Associated Press, “Woman Shot in Face With Gun Kept Under Pillow,” Los Angeles Times, October 24, 1991.

25 A controversial Colt ad… Colt’s Manufacturing Co. advertisement, July 1992.

26 Even Davis Industries… Davis Industries Inc. advertisement, May 1992; Wall Street Journal, February 28, 1992, 1.

27 A Smith & Wesson ad… Smith & Wesson advertisement, February 1993.

28 The company produced… Herschel C. Logan, “The Smith & Wesson Ladysmiths,” American Rifleman, April 1954, 47–48.

29 “We’re seeing…” Garen Wintemute, interview.

30 Joyce Mays-Rabbitt… Joyce Mays-Rabbitt, interview.

31 In fact, she was… Anne Pallie, interview.

32 “By getting over…” Paxton Quigley, interview.

33 One of Quigley’s… Noelle Stettner, interview.

34 Her choice of… Paxton Quigley, interview.

35 “The first time…” Michelle Sullivan, interview.

36 “I didn’t know…” Sean Smith, police tape.

37 “In other words…” Paxton Quigley, Armed & Female (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1990), 139.

38 A study of accidental… Garen J. Wintemute, et al., “When Children Shoot Children,” JAMA 257:22 (June 12, 1987): 3107–9.

39 In fact, she told… Wayne King, “Target: The Gun Lobby,” New York Times Magazine, December 9, 1990, 42.

40 A June 1993… Louis Harris, “A Survey of the American People on Guns as a Children’s Health Issue,” (June 1993): 20.

41 Another study… Douglas S. Weil and David Hemenway, “Loaded Guns in the Home,” JAMA 267:22 (June 10, 1992): 33–37.

42 Dr. Kellermann… Arthur L. Kellermann, interview.

43 A 1991 study by… “Accidental Shootings: Many Deaths and Injuries Caused by Firearms Could be Prevented,” GAO, March 1991, 2.

44 The GAO began… Ibid., 3, 12, 28.

45 The GAO report… Ibid., 30–32.

46 “There’s just so many…” Joanne Welsh, interview.

47 From 1980 through… FBI, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (May 1991): 2–5.

48 “The typical NRA…” Leonard Supenski, interview.

49 Police officers involved… Leonard Supenski, interview.

50 One of its members… Confidential source, interview.

51 Lisa Hilliard, the… Lisa Hilliard, interview.

52 “What people believe…” W. Eugene Hollon, Frontier Violence: Another Look (New York: Oxford University Press, 1974), 195.

53 For the average resident… Ibid., 197; Frank Richard Prassel, The Western Peace Officer (Norman, Okla.: University of Oklahoma Press, 1972), 20, 22.

54 People rarely locked… Hollon, Frontier Violence, 210, 211; Prassel, Western Peace Officer, 22.

55 Burglary was rare… Roger D. McGrath, Gunfighters, Highwaymen and Vigilantes (Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press, 1984), 248, 249; Hollon, Frontier Violence, 203.

56 Frank Prassel, an… Prassel, Western Peace Officer, 20.

57 One of the great… Hollon, Frontier Violence, 165.

58 Moments before… Abilene Chronicle, January 5, 1871.

59 According to historian… McGrath, Gunfighters, 88, 184, 199, 255.

60 Nonetheless, the homicide rate… Ibid., 268; Hollon, Frontier Violence, 201; Prassel, Western Peace Officer, 47; Elliott West, “Wicked Dodge City,” American History Illustrated (June 1982): 23–31.

61 On March 19, 1872… Missouri Republican, March 19, 1872, 2.

62 Buffalo Bill Cody was… Joseph G. Rosa and Robin May, Buffalo Bill and His Wild West (Lawrence, Kans.: University Press of Kansas, 1989), 163.

63 The first book… Peter Lyon, The Wild, Wild West (New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1969), 119.

64 After Jesse James… Robert Sherrill, The Saturday Night Special (New York: Charterhouse, 1973), 39.

65 After Jesse was murdered… Ibid., 39.

66 The Gazette described… Lyon, The Wild, 92.

67 Belle was a… Ibid., 89.

68 Billy the Kid, far… Ibid., 123.

69 In a rare act… Hollon, Frontier Violence, 189.

70 He was discharged… Deborah Berrier, “Clay Allison: Never Killed a Man Willingly,” American History Illustrated (June 1982): 38–39.

71 Fabled gunfighter… Elliott West, “Wicked”; Ralph Brauer, The Horse, the Gun and the Piece of Property (Bowling Green, Ohio: Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1975), 200.

72 Contrary to popular… Prassel, Western Peace Officer, 110.

73 In Leadville… Ibid., 47.

74 The real marshal… Elliott West, “Wicked,” 30.

75 In that mythic realm… Ibid., 27.

76 They were known… Lyon, The Wild, 15, 18, 21.

77 Morgan Earp, one… Ibid., 20.

78 A thief named… Ibid., 83.

79 The police officer… Brian McGinty, “John Wesley Hardin: Gentleman of Guns,” American History Illustrated (June 1982): 32–36.

80 In one notorious… McGrath, Gunfighters, 90–91.

81 “Lawmen and…” Prassel, Western Peace Officer, 248.

82 The Colt Peacemaker… A. C. Gould, Modern American Pistols and Revolvers (Boston: Bradlee Whidden, 1894), 203. See also Wall Street Journal, June 24, 1993, 1.

83 On one journey… Glenda Riley, “The Specter of a Savage: Rumors and Alarmism on the Overland Trail,” Western History Quarterly 15:4 (October 1984): 427–44.

84 In Bodie… McGrath, Gunfighters, 192.

85 Clay Allison shot… Berrier, “Clay Allison,” 38.

86 Wild Bill Hickok… Hollon, Frontier Violence, 200.

87 On January 9, 1876… Nyle H. Miller and Joseph W. Snell, Great Gunfighters of the Texas Cowtowns, 1867–1886 (Lincoln, Nebr.: University of Nebraska, 1963), 83–84.

88 When Pat Garret… Prassel, Western Peace Officer, 104.

89 Jesse James’s brother… Albert Castel, “The James Brothers,” American History Illustrated (June 1982): 10–18.

90 Bill Tilghman… Prassel, Western Peace Officer, 247.

91 A former train robber… Jack Lewis, The Gun Digest Book of Single-Action Revolvers (Northbrook, Ill.: DBI Books Inc, 1982), 201; Richard Slotkin, Gunfighter Nation (New York: Atheneum, 1992), 236.

92 Cody’s fame was… Slotkin, Ibid., 72–73.

93 As if to dispel… Ibid., 68.

94 Sitting Bull, the… Ibid., 74; Rosa and May, Buffalo Bill, 83.

95 Richard Slotkin, author… Slotkin, Gunfighter Nation, 87.

96 The proliferation of… Ibid., 77.

97 In 1903… Ibid., 231; John G. Cawelti, The Six-Gun Mystique (Bowling Green, Ohio: Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1971), 3.

98 By 1925, William Hart… Lewis, Gun Digest Book, 199, 212, 214.

99 Fourteen feature-length… Slotkin, Gunfighter Nation, 347.

100 The underlying message… Ibid., 396.

101 In 1959, the networks… Brauer, The Horse, 54.

102 In 1959, eight… Cawelti, Six-Gun, 2.

103 An advertisement… American Sales & Manufacturing advertisement, July 1993.

104 In the “Wyatt Earp”… Lewis, Gun Digest Book, 27-28.

105 In 1982, Colt… Ibid., 31.

106 In 1992, Colt introduced… Colt’s Manufacturing Co. advertisement, 1992.

107 The master… Wall Street Journal, June 24, 1993, 1.

108 In the autumn… Leighton Rockafellow, interview. Rockafellow represented the Nix family in a lawsuit against Sturm, Ruger. The family agreed to accept a settlement of $150,000.

109 Ruger continues… Sturm, Ruger & Co., catalog, 1993, 28.

110 A report in… Sturm, Ruger & Co., product liability log, entry dated March 14, 1980.

111 “It is quite…” Prassel, Western Peace Officer, 252.

112 “…Since the Western…” Slotkin, Gunfighter Nation, 352.

113 In 1970, historian… Richard Hofstadter, “Reflections on Violence in the United States,” American Violence (New York: Knopf, 1970), 24.

114 Sturm, Ruger & Co…. Wall Street Journal, June 24, 1993, 1.

115 Why else… Frank W. James, “Snubnose Revolvers,” American Handgunner (Combat Annual 1992): 29036. Photo: 34.

116 The company whose… ATF, Firearms Tracing Database Report, February 20, 1992.

117 By 1989… “Handgun Production by U.S. Manufacturers, 1973–1989,” Shooting Industry, 1991.

118 It fondly… Cox Newspapers, “Firepower: Assault Weapons in America,” 1989, 2; Edward M. Owen, interview; Earl Taylor, interview.

119 “We’ve got technology…” Leonard Supenski, interview.

Chapter Four: Nicholas

1 “I didn’t feel…” NES, 32.

2 “I was scared…” Ibid., 82.

3 “I was looking…” Ibid., 77, 80.

4 “I was scared…” Ibid., 81.

5 “I was kind of…” Ibid., 81–82.

6 “I was thinking…” Ibid., 82.

Chapter Five: The Gun

1 “I grew up…” Leonard Supenski, interview.

2 A 1989 study… Cox Newspapers, “Firepower: Assault Weapons in America,” 1989, 2.

3 A study of all… ATF, “Project Detroit,” April 19, 1992, 4–5.

4 The head of… Thomas W. Stokes, interview.

5 Shortly after nine… Homicide Report, Denver Police Department; George I. Ogura, Autopsy Report, County of Denver, June 19, 1984; Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt, The Silent Brotherhood (New York: Signet, 1990), 244–250.

6 During a sweeping… U.S. vs Pierce, et al., Second Superseding Indictment. CR85–001M, 43, 48, 64, 65, 78.

7 Later, on April 15… Flynn and Gerhardt, Silent Brotherhood, 472.

8 “It slices…” Cox Newspapers, “Firepower,” 12.

9 In March 1989… Ibid., 8.

10 The same month… St. Petersburg Times, March 2, 1989, 12A.

11 Six months later… Det. Cheryl Jackman, interview.

12 “It’s a terrible…” Cornelius J. Behan, tape of Maryland Handgun Roster Board Meeting, February 5, 1990.

13 The day before… Advertisement. New York Times, February 4, 1990; Baltimore Sun, February 6, 1990, 1A.

14 The third speaker… Elmer H. Tippet, tape of Maryland Handgun Roster Board Meeting, February 5, 1990.

15 The gun joined… Maryland Handgun Roster Board, Determination of Petition. Docket P-89085, February 13, 1990.

16 At about midnight… Oakland Tribune, October 11, 1990, A-11.

17 In May 1990… Vancouver Sun, May 22, 1990, B1.

18 On October 20, 1991… Vancouver Sun, March 7, 1992, A7.

19 The same month… The Record (Bergen County), October 11, 1991, A-1.

20 In 1991, New York… The Record (Bergen County), July 16, 1991, A-7.

21 The following year… Denver Post, October 1, 1992, 2-B.

22 A Baltimore rapper… Baltimore Sun, November 29, 1992, 1A.

23 At least two gangs… Las Vegas Review-Journal, May 17, 1992, 16; Arkansas Gazette, January 25, 1991, 4B.

24 Detailed renderings… Baton Rouge State Times, June 15, 1990, 1-A.

25 Let me get… Indianapolis News, June 25, 1992, A-1.

26 “I’ll make it up…” Boston Globe, November 25, 1992, 19.

27 “When you look…” Leonard Supenski, interview.

28 The gun’s direct lineage… Thomas R. Nelson and Daniel D. Musgrave, The World’s Machine Pistols and Submachine Guns, vol IIA (Hong Kong: Chesa Limited, undated): 501, 504, 507.

29 Ingram saw… Ibid., 508.

30 The United States had… Ibid., 503–4.

31 The Army bought… Ibid., 508.

32 WerBell, who… Ibid., 509.

33 In 1969 Ingram… Ibid., 512.

34 To best capitalize… Ibid., 512.

35 From 1969… Ibid., 512.

36 The investors… Ibid., 512.

37 It was McQ… Edward M. Owen, interview.

38 “Hey, Lon,” the… McQ, Warner Brothers, 1974.

39 This enthusiastic bit… Nelson and Musgrave, Machine Pistols, 515, 517.

40 Under Wayne Daniel… Ibid., 521.

41 An operating manual… RPB Industries Inc., Ingram Submachine Gun Operating Manual, 1, 43.

42 One partner was… Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 21, 1989, A-9.

43 Two others… US-PEG, 12, 13, 14.

44 Morgan was… Florida vs. Robert Morgan, Judgment and sentence, 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Case no. 79–86, June 2, 1980.

45 Leibolt, according to… US-PEG, 28.

46 “It became available…” Earl Taylor, interview.

47 At one point… Thomas W. Stokes, interview.

48 By the autumn… RPB Inc., minutes. “Special Meeting of Shareholders,” December 28, 1981; RPB Inc., minutes. “Meeting of Stockholders,” December 14, 1981; RPB Inc., minutes. “Special Meeting of Board of Directors,” January 6, 1982.

49 Two weeks later… RPB Inc., minutes. “Special Meeting of Shareholders,” December 28, 1981.

50 The minutes of… RPB Inc., minutes. “Special Meeting of Board of Directors,” January 20, 1982.

51 ATF, meanwhile… Edward M. Owen, interview.

52 Any gun assembled… ATF, Ruling 82–8. Federal Firearms Regulations, 1988–89.

53 The threat… Earl Taylor, interview.

54 June proved… RPB Inc., Statement of income, six months ended June 30, 1982; Statement of income, seven months ended July 31, 1982.

55 They succeeded… Edward M. Owen, interview.

56 The company also… Edward M. Owen, interview; S.W. Daniel Inc., advertisement, “Beat the Heat.”

57 The Daniels knew… Earl Taylor, interview.

58 Wayne Daniel may… ATF-CR1, 2.

59 Ledbetter and Motes… Peter Urrea, ATF affidavit in US-SWD.

60 Wayne Daniel went… ATF-CR1, 3.

61 Ledbetter and Motes founded… Ibid., 3–4.

62 Details of this… Peter Urrea, ATF affidavit in US-SWD; Keith W. Dunkel, ATF affidavit in US-SWD.

63 On April 27… Keith W. Dunkel, ATF affidavit in US-SWD; Peter Urrea, affidavit in US-SWD.

64 On April 30… Urrea, Ibid.

65 Urrea also… Ibid.

66 On July 19… Keith W. Dunkel, ATF affidavit in US-SWD, 10–11.

67 The bureau used… ATF-CR2, 1.

68 In formal court… “SW Daniel Inc.’s Response to Government’s Motion to Amend the Conditions of Release,” US-SWD.

69 All in all… Keith Dunkel, testimony. US-SWD, February 10, 1986.

70 Only four buyers… “Government’s Motion to Amend the Conditions of Release,” US-SWD.

71 An ATF agent… ATF-CR2.

72 Agents also… Ibid., 8–9.

73 Another investigation… ATF-CR1, 4.

74 In Ohio… Ibid., 4–5; George Burton, statement to ATF. US-SWD, April 27, 1984.

75 The growing list… ATF-CR1, 6, 7, 14; Michael Molinari, ATF affidavit. US-SWD, May 17, 1985.

76 “There are literally…” Brian C. Leighton, “Government’s Motion to Amend the Conditions of Release,” US-SWD.

77 The Daniels pleaded… Wayne Daniel, affidavit. ET-SP.

78 On May 1… Complaint, judgment. Exhibit A, ET-SP.

79 In a handwritten… Exhibit C, ET-SP.

80 “It wasn’t…” Earl Taylor, interview.

81 They introduced… Northwest Distributing advertisement.

82 The company’s latest… Maryland Handgun Roster Board, “Determination on Petition: Ladies’ Home Companion,” Docket 90148, July 16, 1991.

83 The trigger… Ibid., 1–2.

84 The board ruled… Ibid., 5.

85 An official… Confidential source, interview.

86 “Shit no…” Earl Taylor, interview.87 “You put a gun…” Leonard Supenski, testimony. WF-SE.

88 “Well, I should say…” Leonard Supenski, interview.

Chapter Six: Nicholas

1 Nicholas did come… NES, 47–50, 70–72.

2 Nicholas, who… Samuel M. Marino, testimony. VA-NE, 7–8.

3 Marino said… Ibid., 8.

4 Just as Nicholas left… Ibid., 8.

5 “All of a sudden…” Ibid., 9.

6 “At first…” Ibid., 9.

7 He saw Nicholas… Ibid., 40.

8 “In a situation…” Ibid., 39.

9 “I’ve got something…” Ibid., 10–11.

10 Susan Allen, watching… Susan Allen, testimony. VA-NE, 50.

11 “What is it…” Samuel M. Marino, testimony. VA-NE, 31.

12 “Give it to me…” Susan Allen, testimony. VA-NE, 51.

13 “Here it is…” Ibid., 51.

14 Victims of… Det. Donald Adams, interview.

15 Marino held… Samuel M. Marino, testimony. VA-NE, 12.

Chapter Seven: The Purchase

1 Nonetheless, Guns Unlimited… Motion for judgment, WF-SE.

2 One peaceful weekend… Curtis Williams, testimony. US-CW.

3 “He wanted…” Ibid., 6.

4 “Man,” he said… Ibid., 34.

5 “My husband…” Ibid., 9.

6 “After that…” Ibid., 10.

7 “They got in…” Ibid., 12–13.

8 Nicholas reached… Ibid., 14–15.

9 What Massengill… Tony D. Massengill, deposition. WF-SE, July 16, 1990, 38, 46–48, 116.

10 This clerk… Christopher Hartwig, testimony. WF-SE, January 15, 1992, 5, 14.

11 Williams testified… Curtis Williams, testimony. US-CW, 14.

12 Asked if anything… Ibid., 15.

13 (Raymond Rowley… Raymond Rowley, testimony. US-CW, 21.

14 “The only thing…” Curtis Williams, Testimony. US-CW, 17.

15 Massengill, in a… Tony D. Massengill, deposition. WF-SE, July 16, 1990, 16.

16 In an interview… Tony D. Massengill, interview.

17 Once outside… Curtis Williams, testimony. US-CW, 19.

18 “What would ever…” Robert W. Wiechering. US-CW, 42.

Chapter Eight: The Dealer

1 A Baltimore police… Confidential source, Baltimore Police Department, interview.

2 A thick printout… Printout of Virginia Federal Firearms Licensees. ATF, May 12, 1992.

3 One medical examiner… Allen M. Jones, et. al. “Suicidal Contact Gunshot Wounds to the Head with .38 Special Glaser Safety Slug Ammunition. Journal of Forensic Sciences 32:6 (November 1987): 1604–21.

4 The Dicks learned… J. Michael Dick, interview.

5 The domestic gun industry… New York Times, March 20, 1992, D1; New York Times, March 8, 1992, 1.

6 Financial statements filed… SNUG Enterprises, Bankruptcy File. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Norfolk, Virginia, 91–22192-T.

7 At its peak… Ibid; See also photograph, Virginian-Pilot, December 19, 1988, A2.

8 In a deposition, Christopher… Christopher Hartwig, deposition. WF-SE, September 12, 1991, 38–40.

9 “Is that something…” Ibid., 39.

10 “I can’t lie…” Ibid., 39–40.

11 “Guns Unlimited is…” J. Michael Dick, interview.

12 “Whatever you want…” Harry Boone, deposition. WF-SE, September 12, 1991, 16.

13 “It’s good for nothing…” Christopher Hartwig, deposition. WF-SE, September 12, 1991, 32.

14 “Your blacks…” Ibid., 32.

15 “I hate to use…” J. Michael Dick, interview.

16 Just as Nicholas… Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, January 18, 1992, A1.

17 In August 1991… “United States’ Position on Defendant’s Role in the Offense,” US-AF, January 6, 1992.

18 All the dealer… Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 178: Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition, 178.126a; “Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers,” ATF form 3310.4; Jack Killorin, interview.

19 In 1992, ATF… Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 14, 1993, H1.

20 Even Batman… Ibid., H4.

21 In the early 1970s… Ibid., H4.

22 Before it took effect… Ibid., H4.

23 At eight-forty… Criminal complaint. US-AF, September 8, 1991.

24 Requizo, the license… Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, January 18, 1992, A1.

25 Cooper said… John Cooper, sentencing hearing. US-AF, January 9, 1992.

26 Mike Dick was… J. Michael Dick, interview.

27 He made his first… Indictment. US-DA, January 14, 1991; Wall Street Journal, February 28, 1992, 1.

28 Moreover, she sold… J. Michael Dick, interview.

29 When ATF learned… John DePollo, testimony. US-DA, February 28, 1991.

30 A few days after… Criminal complaint/ATF affidavit. US-DA.

31 Again the form… John DePollo, testimony. US-DA, February 28, 1991.

32 A few days later… Ibid.

33 Four days later… Ibid.

34 Dick explained… J. Michael Dick, interview.

35 Federal law grants… ATF, “Federal Firearms Licensee Information,” ATF P5300.15., January 1, 1989.

36 “Yes, they tell…” J. Michael Dick, interview.

37 “Well, actually…” Ibid.

38 On March 20, 1991… J. Michael Dick, testimony. PA-JH, 963–97.

39 Yet from July… John W. Thompson, Jr., testimony. PA-JH, 1135–39.

40 Dick remembered… J. Michael Dick, interview.

41 He had never… J. Michael Dick, testimony. PA-JH, 997.

42 The executives… Judge O’Keefe, opinion. Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia. PA-JH, January 21, 1993.

43 Robert Dowe hadn’t… Robert Dowe, testimony. PA-JH, 1055–61.

44 Foy, who weighed… Dr. James Lewis, testimony. PA-JH, 1051.

45 Leonard Allen… Leonard Allen, testimony. PA-JH, 946.

46 “No. I did…” J. Michael Dick, interview.

47 “The object of…” Ibid.

48 “I would say…” Raymond Rowley, interview.

49 “That guy is…” Leonard Supenski, interview.

Chapter Nine: Nicholas

1 “Now you…” Susan Allen, testimony. VA-NE, February 28, 1989, 51.

2 At first… Ibid., 52.

3 “I hit…” Ibid., 52.

4 “It was not…” Det. Donald Adams, interview.

5 “My God…” Susan Allen, testimony. VA-NE, 52.

6 Two things… Samuel M. Marino, testimony. VA-NE, 43.

7 Nicholas knew… NES, 61–62.

8 “I saw Mr. Marino…” Maurice H. Matteson, testimony. VA-NE, 120.

9 “I saw Nicholas…” Ibid., 122.

10 Nicholas had seen… NES, 62.

11 “There were chairs…” (Billy Cutter), testimony. VA-NE, 173.

12 “Billy…” Ibid.

13 “I know…” NES, 87.

14 “Billy Cutter…” Maurice H. Matteson, testimony. VA-NE, 123.

Chapter Ten: The Enforcers

1 In a 1981 congressional… G. R. Dickerson, testimony. Dismantling of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms hearing, Subcommittee on Crime, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, April 30, 1981, 26.

2 “There’s been…” Jack Killorin, interview.

3 “Illegal traffickers…” “A Study of Weapons Seized in Connection with Narcotics Investigations,” ATF Detroit Division, 1992, 13.

4 “If it were not…” Ibid., 13.

5 It must police… Anthony Fleming, interview.

6 This ratio… Robert Sherrill, The Saturday Night Special (New York: Charterhouse, 1973), 143.

7 In 1990… Firearms Program License Application Data, ATF.

8 Roughly half… Anthony Fleming, interview.

9 My ATF printout… Printout of Maryland Federal Firearms Licensees. ATF, May 12, 1992.

10 A Los Angeles Times… Los Angeles Times, May 18, 1992, A1.

11 Any consumer who… Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 178: Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition, Section 178.128 b and c.

12 ATF traces its… “Facts,” ATF.

13 On January 16… Robert T. Schoenberg, Mr. Capone (New York: William Morrow, 1992), 56–57.

14 What ATF neglects… Ibid., 58.

15 Eliot Ness urged… Ibid., 252.

16 Indeed, Schoenberg… Ibid., 297.

17 The real hero… Ibid., 298.

18 By the fall… Ibid., 139.

19 In 1969… William J. Helmer, The Gun That Made the Twenties Roar (New York: Macmillan, 1969).

20 The Thompson… John Ellis, The Social History of the Machine Gun (Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1975), 149–51.

21 In a 1922 magazine ad… Auto-Ordnance Corp., advertisement, 1922; Ellis, Social History, 151.

22 An article… Ellis, Social History, 77.

23 In 1923… Ibid., 79.

24 The first recorded… Schoenberg, Capone, 139.

25 That day… Helmer, Gun That Made, 84.

26 Capone first… Ibid., 84–85.

27 One of the dead… Ibid., 85; Schoenberg, Capone, 150.

28 The attack triggered… Helmer, Gun That Made, 87.

29 The Thompson submachine… Ibid., 88.

30 On February 14… Ibid., 88.

31 As other massacres… Ibid., 100.

32 You’ve read… Ibid., 111.

33 One result… Ellis, Social History, 160.

34 On October 14… Schoenberg, Capone, 322.

35 A more significant… “Facts,” BATF.; Sherrill, Saturday Night, 58; “BATF: Management Improvements Needed to Handle Increasing Responsibilities,” GAO, March 1991, 10.

36 In 1938, Congress… GAO, Ibid., 10.

37 It boosted… Ibid., 11; Sherrill, Saturday Night, 295.

38 “When our law-enforcement…” Rex Davis, former director, BATF, interview.

39 In 1968 the NRA’s… Osha Gray Davidson, Under Fire: The NRA & The Battle for Gun Control (New York: Henry Holt, 1993), 30.

40 Gradually, the hard-liners… Ibid., 31–41.

41 “To the NRA faithful…” Ibid., 31.

42 “That was a well-known…” Rex Davis, interview.

43 In March of 1978… G. R. Dickerson, director, BATF, testimony. Firearms Enforcement Efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms hearing, Subcommittee on Crime, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, July 2, 1980, 69.

44 “We didn’t feel…” Rex Davis, interview.

45 It cited… G. R. Dickerson, director, BATF, testimony, Firearms hearing, 70–71.

46 The NRA, however… Rex Davis, interview.

47 Davis, delighted… Rex Davis, interview.

48 The NRA went so far… Davidson, Under Fire, 50; Representative John D. Dingell, testimony. Proposed Dissolution of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms special hearing, Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, February 23, 1982, 245–46.

49 “We often hear…” G. R. Dickerson, director, BATF, testimony, Firearms hearing, 72.

50 At the same hearing… Firearms Enforcement Efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms hearing, Subcommittee on Crime, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, July 2, 1980, 139–50.

51 That month… Davidson, Under Fire, 50.

52 At a February… Representative John D. Dingell, testimony, Dissolution hearing, 245–47, 249, 252.

53 The Gun Owners… Lawrence D. Pratt, testimony. Proposed Dissolution of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms special hearing, Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, February 22, 1982, 146.

54 Neal Knox, head… Neal Knox, testimony. Proposed Dissolution of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms special hearing, Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, March 8, 1982, 324.

55 The NRA’s turnabout… Representative William J. Hughes, testimony. Enforcement Efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms hearing, Subcommittee on Crime, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, May 4, 1982, 2.

56 “The NRA realized…” Davidson, Under Fire, 52.

57 “Some of the things…” Bernard La Forest, BATF, interview.

58 The bill banned… “Congress Relaxes Federal Gun Control Laws,” Congressional Quarterly Almanac (1986): 82–85.

59 Before the act… Ibid., 84.

60 Representative Hughes said… Ibid., 84.

61 “I don’t know…” Rex Davis, interview.

62 From 1988… “Firearms and Explosives: Information and Observations on ATF Law Enforcement Operations,” GAO, June 1993, 44–45.

63 “These are safe…” Rex Davis, interview.

64 From 1975 through… “Firearms Program License Application Data,” BATF, 1975–1990.

65 In 1990, for example… “Firearms Program Inspection Activity,” BATF, 1990.

66 But revocation can be… Al’s Loan Office vs. U.S. Dept. of Treasury, 738 F. Supp. 221 (E.D. Mich. 1990), May 7, 1990.

67 In fiscal 1991… “Cases in Select Categories: Firearms Enforcement,” BATF, fiscal year 1991.

68 On July 1, 1989… Special Agent Edward Wetterman, affidavit. U.S. vs. Carroll Landis Brown, U.S. District Court, Baltimore. Case: HM-91–0010, 2.

69 He advertised… Ibid., 5.

70 Beginning September 20… Ibid., 4.

71 On November 16… Ibid., 4.

72 On December 10… Ibid., 6.

73 As of January 1991… “Memorandum in Opposition to Defendant’s ‘Notice of Appeal.’” U.S. vs. Carroll Landis Brown, U.S. District Court, Baltimore. Case: HM-91–0010, 3–4.

74 Hunt and an associate… Baltimore Sun, December 29, 1991, 1D.

75 “Dear Judge…” Mykia Brown, letter (undated). U.S. vs. Carroll Landis Brown, U.S. District Court, Baltimore. Case: HM-91–0010.

76 Rev. James Ross… Rev. James Ross, letter, May 30, 1991. U.S. vs. Carroll Landis Brown, U.S. District Court, Baltimore. Case: HM-91–0010.

77 Soon after… M. Dion Thompson, “A Gun Dealer’s Legacy.”

78 Among the guns… List of distributors and guns. U.S. vs. Carroll Landis Brown. U.S. District Court, Baltimore. Case: HM-91–0010.

79 The remainder… Project Detroit, BATF, Detroit, April 19, 1991, 2.

80 In its report… Ibid., 7.

81 Yet of the five… Ibid., 12; Special Agent in Charge Bernard La Forest, interview.

82 Project Detroit also… Bernard La Forest, interview.

83 “We’re not in…” Ken Jorgensen, interview.

84 “The wholesalers thought…” Bernard La Forest, interview.

85 “What would the results…” Project Detroit, BATF, Detroit, April 19, 1991, 7.

86 Early in 1989, two… Cox Newspapers, “Firepower: Assault Weapons in America,” 1989.

87 ATF wasn’t able… Gerald A. Nunziato, Special Agent in Charge, National Tracing Center, BATF, interview.

88 In fiscal 1990… Los Angeles Times, May 20, 1992, A1.

89 “If they’ve got…” Bernard La Forest, interview.

90 Raymond Rowley, an agent… Special Agent Raymond Rowley, interview.

91 The ATF’s Urgent trace… G. R. Dickerson, testimony. Dismantling of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms hearing, Subcommittee on Crime, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, April 30, 1981, 34.

92 But Stokes eventually… Thomas W. Stokes, interview.

93 “We’re always looking for…” Raymond Rowley, interview.

94 “We don’t make…” David Troy, interview.

Chapter Eleven: Nicholas

1 Forensic investigators… Det. Donald Adams, interview.

2 Cutter was splayed… (Billy Cutter), testimony. VA-NE, February 28, 1989, 94.

3 “It looked…” Ibid., 87.

4 “I was probably…” Maurice H. Matteson, testimony. VA-NE, February 28, 1989, 123.

5 “I don’t have the gun…” Ibid., 124.6 “What in the world…” Ibid., 131.

7 Rev. George Sweet… Rev. George Sweet, interview; George Sweet, testimony. WF-SE, January 14, 1992.

8 “He looked at me…” Ibid.

9 “I was like wondering…” Lora Sweet, testimony. WF-SE, January 14, 1992, 7.

Chapter Twelve: The Culture

1 He did not carry… Det. Donald Adams, interview; Det. Donald Adams, testimony. WF-SE, January 14, 1992.

2 “A gun enthusiast…” Det. Donald Adams, interview.

3 He carried hundreds… Ibid.; Det. Donald Adams, testimony. WF-SE, January 14, 1992.

4 “He could hold…” Det. Donald Adams, interview.

5 He filed a groove… Ibid.

6 The fact his mother… Ibid.

7 Hundreds “were…” Robert Sherrill, The Saturday Night Special (New York: Charterhouse, 1973), 165.

8 “I didn’t sell…” James S. Dick, deposition. WF-SE, July 16, 1990, 43.

9 “I’m kind of flattered…” New York Times, March 10, 1992, 1.

10 Intratec was so… Los Angeles Times, July 7, 1993, 3.

11 “Everything was by…” Los Angeles Times, July 3, 1993, 1.

12 Only one of… Osha Gray Davidson, Under Fire, 171–72.

13 “The object of…” John Minnery, Kill Without Joy: The Complete How to Kill Book (Boulder, Colo.: Paladin Press, 1992), preface.

14 “I prefer to make…” Peder Lund, interview.

15 Once a week… Michael Hoy, interview.

16 Joseph Grubisic, commander… Joseph Grubisic, interview.

17 A few years ago… Confidential interview, BATF.

18 Some’published recipes… Sgt. LeRoy Pereira, U.C. Berkeley Bomb Squad, interview; Lt. Walter Boser, commander, New York Police Bomb Squad, interview; Peder Lund, interview.

19 (“It’s kind of like…” Charles Rose, interview.

20 “They’re wrong…” Peder Lund, interview.

21 Most of his customers… Billy Blann, interview.

22 In August 1992… Jack Killorin, spokesman, BATF, interview; Charles T. Ziegler, police chief, Athens, Tennessee, interview; Ptl. Don Long, Athens police, interview.

23 In San Juan Capistrano… Sgt. Charles Stumph, Orange County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad, interview.

24 In 1983 he set… Park Elliott Dietz, interview.

25 His work brought… Park Elliott Dietz, interview; Dietz, “Dangerous Information: Product Tampering and Poisoning Advice in Revenge and Murder Manuals,” Journal of Forensic Sciences 33:5 (September 1988): 1215.

26 In an article… Dietz, “Dangerous Information,” 1208–9.

27 In 1973, Dr. Dietz’s… Ibid., 1212–13.

28 “The general rule…” Bruce Ennis, interview.

29 “These are difficult…” Floyd Abrams, interview.

30 “You can’t say…” Joseph Grubisic, interview.

31 No problem would exist… Sgt. Charles Stumph, interview.

32 That Paladin can… Jack Thompson, interview.

33 In July 1989… Washington Post, August 15, 1989, a10.

34 Shotgun News also… Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 12, 1993, G3.

35 “There’s no difference…” David Uhrig, interview.

36 Private buyers… Wall Street Journal, October 23, 1992, 1.

37 Once notorious… New York Times, March 30, 1992, D8.

38 It now includes… See Shotgun News, July 1, 1992, 3.

39 Nonetheless, my April… Shotgun News, April 1, 1993, 5, 25.

40 During a reporting journey… Wall Street Journal, March 12, 1993, 1.

41 “It’s called…” Jim Moore, interview.

42 “My friend…” John G. Mitchell, “‘God Guns & Guts Made America Free,’” American Heritage (February/March 1978): 9.

43 At times… Ibid., 8.

44 The NRA was founded… Certificate of Incorporation, New New York, November 17, 1871; Osha Gray Davidson, Under Fire, 20–22.

45 It remained a small… Davidson, Ibid., 27.

46 The association began… Mitchell, “‘God Guns & Guts,’” 9.

47 As originally proposed… Robert Sherrill, The Saturday Night Special (New York: Charterhouse, 1973), 58.

48 By 1946… Mitchell, “‘God Guns,’” 9.

49 In 1956, the NRA… Certificate of Extension of Purpose, New York Department of State, March 22, 1956.

50 …Lee Harvey Oswald… Henry S. Bloomgarden, The Gun (New York: Grossman, 1975), 92.

51 For Carter was… Davidson, Under Fire, 31–33.

52 It shifted emphasis… Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, New York Department of State, September 23, 1977.

53 A study conducted… Mitchell, “‘God Guns,’” 10.

54 Nonetheless, by 1978… Ibid., 2.

55 By 1983, its… Davidson, Under Fire, 39.

56 One of those attacked …Joseph McNamara, interview.

57 From 1989 to 1991… Davidson, Under Fire, 157; Bradley O’Leary, PM Consulting Inc, interview, membership data.

58 The historic site… Davidson, Under Fire, 161.

59 Its political action… Center for Responsive Politics, Washington, D.C.

60 Between the 1990… Center for Responsive Politics, “PACs in Profile,” June 1993, 8.

61 The NRA also stepped… Peter Stone, “Under the Gun,” National Journal (June 5, 1993): 1335.

62 In 1992 alone… Bradley O’Leary, interview.

63 The drive worked…. O’Leary, interview.

64 The NRA was indeed bigger… “1992 Report to Members,” NRA, 1992.

65 In 1993… Peter Stone, “Under the Gun,” 1337.

66 One New York assemblywoman… Naomi Matusow, interview.

67 In 1993, a hard-right… Osha Gray Davidson, interview.

68 A survey by… Louis Harris, “A Survey of the American People on Guns as a Children’s Health Issue,” LH Research Inc. (June 1993): 6, 15.

69 In the 1992 membership… Bradley O’Leary, interview.

70 At the NRA’s 1993… Wayne LaPierre, “This is a Fight for Freedom!” American Rifleman, July 1993, 31.

71 During the same… “The ‘Duke’ Takes His Stand in Nashville,” American Rifleman, June 1993, 79.

72 In his Nashville speech… Wayne LaPierre, “This is a Fight,” 31.

73 In a column… “The President’s Column,” American Rifleman, June 1993, 60.

74 In 1993… Susan Lamson, “TV Violence: Does it Cause Real-Life Mayhem?” American Rifleman, June 1993, 31–33.

75 In its “Combat Annual”… Mark Moritz, “Volkspistol,” American Handgunner (Combat Annual 1992): 46–48.

76 A writer for… Jim Benson. “Ladies’ Home Companion,” American Survival Guide (July 1990): 24–25, 66.

77 The author described… “Return of the Ingram,” Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons, 66–71.

78 Dr. Park Dietz… Cox Newspapers, “Firepower: Assault Weapons in America,” 1989, 12–13.

79 Dr. Dietz told… Park Elliott Dietz, interview.

80 Add to this… Harry F. Waters, et al., “Networks Under the Gun,” Time, July 12, 1993, 64–66.

Chapter Thirteen: Nicholas

1 Two different… Lora Farley, testimony. WF-SE, January 14, 1992, 8.

2 Sweet was at… George Sweet, testimony. WF-SE, January 14, 1992.

3 “She did say something…” NES, 64.

4 “I know I went…” Ibid., 76.

5 Bill Farley learned… William Farley, interview.

6 The Virginia Beach… Det. Donald Adams, interview.

7 “It was unbelievable…” William Farley, interview.

8 The formal cause… Det. Donald Adams, testimony. WF-SE, 211.

9 “It’s the only…” Det. Donald Adams, interview.

10 The next night… Beverly Cook, testimony. WF-SE.

11 Months later… William Farley, testimony. WF-SE.

12 “I just try…” William Farley, interview.

13 Three months later… EE-ASC.

14 On October 31… Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, December 13, 1989, 1.

15 Nicholas sat… Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, November 1, 1989, 1.

16 On December 12… Jimmy Edney, testimony. VA-NE, December 12, 1989, 3.

17 “These were offenses…” Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, December 13, 1989.

18 “Number one…” William Farley, interview.

19 “One thing…” Randy Singer, interview.

20 “This is not…” Randy Singer, opening statement. WF-SE, January 14, 1992.

21 Bill Farley lost… William Farley, interview.

22 In an order… John K. Moore, letter, response to defendants’ demurrer. WF-SE, October 4, 1990.

23 “Unfortunately,” Judge Moore… Ibid., 2.

Chapter Fourteen: The New Tyranny

1 Strict gun controls… Daniel Abrams. “Ending the Other Arms Race.” Yale Law and Policy Review 10:2 (1992): 515–16.

2 On December 14… New York Times, December 28, 1992, 1.

3 In his book… David B. Kopel, The Samurai, the Mountie, and the Cowboy (Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books/The Cato Institute, 1992), 319–20.

4 A 1993 survey… Louis Harris. “A Survey of Experiences, Perceptions and Apprehensions About Guns Among Young People in America,” LH Research Inc. (July 1993): ix.

5 Fifty-five percent… Ibid., x.

6 In a related… Louis Harris, “A Survey of the American People on Guns as a Children’s Health Issue,” LH Research Inc. (June 1993): 6, 9.

7 I read with… Mick Luckovich, “Remember, Carry a Map…,” Newsweek, July 12, 1993, 15.

8 In 1975… Josh Sugarmann, National Rifle Association: Money, Firepower & Fear (Bethesda, Md.: National Press Books, 1992), 45.

9 The 1993 Harris survey… Harris, “Survey of the American People,” viii.

10 Robert Sherrill… Robert Sherrill, The Saturday Night Special (New York: Charterhouse, 1973), 322.

11 A Sandston, Virginia… Baltimore Sun, July 20, 1993, 9A.

12 “Maybe that’s the answer…” David Troy, interview.

Coda

1 The site Dick chose… J. Michael Dick, interview.