NEW HAMPSHIRE WEEKLY / POLITICAL DIARY / LAURA A. KIERNAN

Gun Owners Group Hasn't Changed Mind

By Laura A. Kiernan, Globe Correspondent, April 25, 1999

The slaughter at Columbine High School last week outside Denver "certainly was very tragic," says Jean Krochmal, executive director of Gun Owners of New Hampshire. But, even in the face of all those deaths and injuries, she says GO-NH (32,000 members strong) won't flinch in its opposition to a legislative study commission -- just a group of volunteers -- to look at kids, guns and violence. It's not even good enough that GO-NH would be a member -- along with school principals, parents and teachers, law enforcement officials, and gun control advocates.

"I don't think a knee-jerk reaction is the way to go," said Krochmal. She says the New Hampshire Firearm Safety Coalition already does the job -- distributing safety information and making a video for 10- and 12-year-olds about misuse of guns. Doesn't the massacre at Columbine warrant just a closer look? Not for GO-NH, not the legislative way. "Why do we need another commission?" Krochmal said.

"They see the slippery slope everywhere," said the chief sponsor of the study commission bill, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Burt Cohen of New Castle. Their fear seems to be that they will lose their guns, Cohen said. But he says all he wants to do is keep guns away from kids.

"How much does it take before we do something?" he asked.

The Women's Forum was started by Bea Francoeur, wife of state Senator Gary Francoeur, a Hudson Republican. Sherry Lucas, the wife of gubernatorial candidate Jay Lucas of New London, is one of the forum's vice presidents. Francoeur says the group is bipartisan but is still looking for Democrats -- and men -- to sign up.

Speaking of Shaheen and the vice president, they can't seem to get away from those questions about whether Shaheen will be on the list of potential vice presidential candidates. It came up again at a house party last weekend in Salem given by Steve Hatem, district vice president of the National Association of Self-Employed, and his wife, Diane, the owner of the Salem Gift Shoppe.

Someone asked Gore if he had plans "to take our governor with you to Washington."

"Billy's over there saying, 'No, no, no,' " the vice president said, referring to the governor's husband, William Shaheen, who also happens to be Gore's New Hampshire campaign chairman. And even though Gore is the obvious front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, the vice president said, "I don't have the privilege of making a list like that yet."

However, there are so many other politicians lined up to address the faithful that the state GOP has set a 7-minute lid on speeches. You can have your fill of rhetoric, while dining on surf and turf, for a mere $150 a head. A crowd of about 1,200 party loyalists is expected for this shindig.

Along with Elizabeth Dole, confirmed guests include US Senator John McCain of Arizona, former Tennessee governor Lamar Alexander, Representative John Kasich of Ohio, our own US Senator Bob Smith, Gary Bauer, president of the conservative Campaign for Working Families, and conservative commentator Alan Keyes. Magazine publisher Steve Forbes is 99 percent confirmed, a spokesman said.

"Probably" coming are former vice president Dan Quayle, and New York Governor George Pataki.

Other definites include Governor Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania, whose name has cropped up as possible vice presidential material, and Jim Nicholson, chairman of the Republican National Committee. He'll be the master of ceremonies. State party executive director Ken Egan says 25-30 members of the national committee are also expected to attend.

Wait, there's more. Kayne Robinson, chairman of the Iowa Republican Central Committee, will be there, along with Indiana's Republican chairman, Mike McDaniel (who is chairman of the RNC chairmen).

P.S. -- As part of the pre-party festivities, US Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee will be in New Hampshire on May 1 for the opening of Alexander's new campaign headquarters in Manchester. Thompson is one of Alexander's national chairmen.

"It's flattering," said Rockingham County Sheriff Dan Linehan, who says he's leaning toward supporting Bush. He says a number of people have asked him about supporting the Texas governor, including Judd Gregg, who will play a role in Bush's national campaign. Linehan is no stranger to the Bush family. A retired state trooper, Linehan worked the security detail when then-president George Bush visited New Hampshire. And Linehan says that on a visit to the Bush summer home at Walker's Point in Maine last summer, Bush (the dad) talked with him about the younger Bush's presidential aspirations. Linehan wasn't disclosing any details of what was said.

Still, like most New Hampshire voters, Linehan, who is president of the New Hampshire Sheriff's Association, is going to wait for his chance to look the candidate in the eye before he signs on the dotted line. "I want to talk to George W. himself," Linehan said.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Walter Morse says he has talked with Quayle and McCain and gotten a call from Barbara Russell, who is working for the Bush campaign. "I'm listening," said Morse. Carroll County Sheriff Scott Carr has endorsed Alexander.

Meanwhile the state's only Democratic sheriff, Martin Heon in Strafford County, has endorsed Gore.