ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 9, 1996 TAG: 9605090068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
The National Rifle Association on Wednesday endorsed Jim Miller for the 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 - including an afternoon stop in Roanoke.
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 Warner. The NRA has endorsed Warner in past elections. "But since that time, his record has been one that our members do not share," she said. "Unfortunately, we didn't leave John Warner. John Warner left us."
Miller is strongly wooing the gun-rights vote - usually heaviest in rural parts of the state - often traveling in his red pickup truck 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 in his behalf.
Warner, meanwhile, began airing the first television ad of the campaign Wednesday. The 30-second commercial, dubbed "Duty and Honor," is designed to portray Warner as a patriot and polish 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.
Some Republicans in Virginia have accused Warner of a liberal voting record on many social issues - such as abortion and gun control. 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."
Have a question for the candidates for U.S. Senate? Let us know so we can follow up. Write: The Citizens' Agenda, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010 or e-mail dyancey@infi.net. Please include your name, address and phone number.
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB