CLINTON OPENS FIRE ON THE NRA

Flanked by top police officials, President Clinton publicly dared the National Rifle Association to give up more than $1 million it may have gained from a fundraising letter calling law enforcement officers "jack-booted government thugs." The NRA had apologized for the letter this week, but Clinton issued today's broadside after a top NRA official boasted of the letter's impact on contributions. "If the NRA's apology is sincere," Clinton said, "what they ought to do is put their money where their mouth is. They ought to give up the ill-gotten gains from the bogus fund-raising letter. . . . They ought to turn that money over to the organization that helps the families of police officers who died in the line of duty." Leaders of major law enforcement grous who were meeting with Clinton at the White House agreed with the president. "I think the NRA is just out to dishonor law enforcement," said Bob Scully, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations. The NRA, whose annual convention began today in Phoenix, responded tersely: "We thank the president for his suggestion."