(Ed. Note: In 2007, Sheriff Jenne was convicted of corruption.)

TO: USF & NRA Members & Friends FROM: Marion P. Hammer, NRA Past President   Executive Director, Unified Sportsmen of Florida DATE: May 22, 2003 SUBJECT: Personal Commentary on the Fabricated CNN Story

When CNN aired the first "assault weapons" story that faked the difference between so-called illegal and legal rifles, not only did the NRA membership come unglued but folks who are not NRA members were also outraged. The conduct of CNN and Ken Jenne, a Florida Sheriff, was so egregious that it could not go unanswered. There is no doubt in my mind that CNN and Sheriff Jenne and his staff, plotted, lied, faked and willfully perpetrated a fraud with that story. CNN was flooded with phone calls and email following that story. But it was not until Wayne LaPierre went on CNN and exposed their conduct, that anything was done to "correct" it. The simple act of having the courage to get in CNN's face (a "David and Goliath" type confrontation) has brought more positive exposure to this issue than we could have purchased. Once Wayne unmasked their fabrication and political agenda, they were naked in the face of the truth. As a result, CNN moved quickly to film another demonstration without the presence of Sheriff Jenne or any of his minions. The second demonstration was done with real experts who did an outstanding job of producing accurate facts and evidence that demonstrated that not only had CNN and Sheriff Jenne faked the first demonstration, but it also exposed the absurdity of the "assault weapons ban." The story of NRA taking on CNN and Sheriff Jenne continues to bring positive publicity to NRA and our issues, as is demonstrated by the stories in yesterday's MIAMI HERALD and FT LAUDERDALE SUN-SENTINEL. To those who watched the TV screen on the original CNN report and saw no holes, no marks and no dust when John Zarrella was telling the world that the deputy was firing at the concrete blocks with the "legal" gun: you knew then that the deputy wasn't really firing at the blocks. Now we all know, as acknowledged by CNN, the deputy was actually firing into the ground. (MIAMI HERALD 5/21/03) CNN would never have admitted the story was "cooked" if Wayne had not stepped up to the plate and exposed the lie. I emailed THE WASHINGTON TIMES story on the faked demonstration (5/20/03) and transcripts from the original CNN report (5/15/03), Wayne's interview on CNN (5/16/03), and the "cleanup" story CNN ran (5/19/03), to some friends of mine with The Florida Sheriff's Association. They were appalled. One made comments concerning Wayne's performance that I have to share: "I have never seen Wayne LaPierre in person, but in reading this TV transcript, I've gotta tell you that I have never seen anybody hold their ground against the likes of CNN like he held his ground in my entire life." "There is no other way to describe it...." "He kicked their ass!" I couldn't have said it better myself. The bottom line...CNN did great damage to our side of the "assault weapons" ban issue, until Wayne turned it around and made about 6 gallons of fantastic lemonade out of one lemon. People will be talking about this incident for years to come. NRA took on the mighty CNN and won. Thanks, Wayne. I appreciate all you do for us and the Second Amendment. MPH