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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 11, 1986)
World news House vote eases law on gun control ■ ,House voted overwhelming \w«Mke^th»v«u^;eu'n1itiilVlaw passedSln the aftemiathoftheassassinationHof KobortkennmlyahdMartin hulhVr kin# |r . I>ut retained a ban on 'interstate' handgun hIm:, • . ^ The vote came after hundreds of uniformed policemen roamed the Capitol ,is lobbyists. The key ydte was 2H<>-136. and the House followed with a 2H2-130 tally to formally sent! the legislation to the Senate. The Senate, which passed a bill last year to allow in terstate handgun sales and ease other controls, can accept the House'hill of iri'sis^bn a -House-Senate conference. For weeks, th'w jegislatibh produced high drama, climax ing with police from 21 states arriving in uniform to confront the experienced lobbying teams from the National Rifle Association and allied groups In the end. both sides can claim victory on the bill spon sored by Rep. Harold Volkmer, I)-Mo. — but the gun lobby more so. NRA chief lobbyist Wayne taPierre pointed to the bill’s lifting of an interstate sales Iran for rifles and shotguns and federal guarantees that all lawfully held weapons can Ire taken unloaded and inaccessible across state lines. The NRA also approves, he said, of provisions that would make it more difficult to prosecute unintentional gun law violations, allow dealers to transfer guns from inven tories to their private collections, and force the government to return seized weapons after an acquittal. Handgun control groups and police organizations can point to the interstate sales Iran, adopted 233-184 in an amendment that reversed a defeat on the issue on Wednes day. and a unanimously adopted prohibition on future possession or transfer of machine guns. Both measures were proposed by Rep William Hughes. D-N.J., who championed the gun control forces’ cause on the House floor. The Volkmer bill was adopted with 128 Democratic and 158 Republican votes, while 118 Democrats and 18 Republicans were opposed Hubert Williams, president of the Police Foundation, commented after the vote, ’The core of the Volkmer bill was interstate sales, and they lost on that one. There are still many defects. On the whole, it is bad legislation." He said police officers strongly disagreed with the in terstate transportation previsions, with a reduction in the number of federal inspections of gun dealers and the transfer of guns to dealers' private collections. Oregon's congressmen voted unanimously to adopt the bill easing restrictions, hut voted against the amendment to maintain a lain on interstate salt's of handguns. Former secretary to guru to face additional charges PORTLAND (AP) — Ma A nand Sheela, the former secretary to Indian guru Hhagwan Shree Kajneesh. agreed Thursday to be pro secuted on charges ranging from attempted murder to elec tronic eavesdropping. In a hearing before U.S. District fudge Kdward Leavy, Sheela dropped her objection to the federal government's re quest to expand the West tier man extradition order that sent her back to Oregon. The extradition order covers federal immigration charges and state charges accusing her of attempting to murder Ra jneesh's physician. West tier many must give its permission for U.S. authorities to try Sheela on any other charges. Sheela, 36, also is accused of giving glasses of poisoned water to two Wasco County of ficials. causing a food poison ing outbreak that sickened more than 750 people, creating the largest electronic eavesdropp ing system in Oregon history and plotting a fire that damaged the county planning office. She spoke quietly Thursday when she said to heavy, "I agree to the speedy extradition order.” Her attorney. Stephan Houze of Portland, declined to com ment on why Sheela changed her mind about the additional charges. He said l.eavy had ordered lawyers in the case not to comment publicly, although no gag order was issued. Assistant ll.S. Attorney Robert Weaver said Thursday's hearing "was in the context of negotiations that have been ongoing and that will continue to be ongoing." Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry Sheldahl said that while his of fice continues to negotiate with Houze. it was too early to speculate whether a plea bargain was possible. "I think it’s way too premature.” he said. "I don't think we expect an answer from the Germans for 60 Jays or so.” Sheela, a native of India, and several other sect leaders abruptly left their central Oregon commune in September. She was arrested in West Germany last October on the U.S. charges and was ex tradited to Oregon in February. She has been jailed since her return and is scheduled for trial on 33 counts of immigration fraud May 5. Another aircraft carrier sent to form battle group WASHINGTON (AP) The Navy,dispatched a second aircraft carrier to sea in the Mediterranean Thursday, but sources-said the Pentagon had.yet to order a military strike against Libya in retalia tion for recent terrorist attacks. Should such orders be issued, however, the Navy is in position to form a two-carrier battle group that would include 16 combat ships and more than 160 airplanes, the sources said It would take about two days to move such a battle group to the Libyan coast, said the sources who discussed the situation only on the ground they not be identified publicly. The Pentagon officially declined comment on the position of the Navy ships. But officials who requested anonymity said the carrier Coral Sea — its orders to return home canceled — had departed port in Malaga, Spain, early in the day Thursday. The Coral Sea is steaming eastward toward the central Mediterranean, but is still far to the west of Libya, the sources said The Cora) Sea had been scheduled tip depart Malaga for the Atlantic Ocean and home, having completed a standard 6-month deployment that began Oct. 2. Hut the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday night that those orders had been scut tled for "an indefinite period.” Military commanders say they must have at least two carriers in the Mediterranean to support any military operation against Libye. the sources said. By getting under way. the Coral Sea joined the carrier America in operating within the Mediterranean. The America ended a liberty call at Livorno. Italy, on Wednesday. The America had been scheduled to make another port call at Cannes. France, but those orders were also canceled. The vessel is currently in the Tyrrhenian Sea. to the north of the island of Sicily, sources said. “Both carriers are heading in the direction of the central Mediterranean, but they haven't form ed up in a battle group yet." said one official. STORE HOURS Mon.-Thurs. & Sat 10:00-6:00 Friday 10:00-9:00 Sunday 12:00-5:00 THE BON THE BON IS YOUR JOCKEY FOR HER® HEADQUARTERS WE’LL HAVE YOUR SIZE OR YOU’LL REC IT FREE! WE GUARANTEE IT We know how frustrating it is when you find a tank or pair of panties that is just right for., and then can’t get it in your size. We’ll change that during our Jockey for Her* event. If we don’t have your choice in stock April 10-April 20, we’ll see you receive your panty or tank without charge! Maybe the most comfortable underwear you’ll ever wear! Of 100% comb ed cotton. Choose from the 5 styles listed below during our Jockey For Her* event. Daywear.