Subject: ABA Neutral Format Citation Proposal -- Yes! Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 09:00:48 -0800 From: National Institute on Firearms & Society To: citation@teo.uscourts.gov March 15, 1997 Appellate Court and Circuit Administration Division ATTN: ARA Citation Resolution Suite 4-512 Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Washington, DC 20544 The National Institute on Firearms & Society, an IRC Sec. 501(C)(3) approved educational nonprofit supports the development of public policy in all areas of the relationship between firearms and society. To accomplish this mission, the Institute compiles information -- including case law -- for the use of researchers, the media, teachers and students, legislative staffs and other persons and organizations involved in this important area of public debate. The existence of the Internet and the rapid expansion of accessibility to it provide an ideal way to make this information available quickly and inexpensively to a wide audience. The existing case law citation system, however, frustrates our mission because the format and copyright issues we have inherited prohibit us from including material in a useful format, or in some, cases, at all. The Institute, by unanimous vote of its Board of Directors, supports the recognition of all laws, including case law at all levels, as public domain material. Furthermore, it supports the approval and prompt implementation of a neutral citation system to facilitate the promulgation of such laws. Thank you for your consideration. Charles L. Eichhorn, J.D. Executive Director THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON FIREARMS & SOCIETY Non-Profit - Non-Partisan - Non-Political Independent Information, Research, and Education Programs Supporting Firearms Public Policy Development P. O. Box 6195 Tel: 510.522.3000 Oakland, CA USA 94603-6195 Fax: 510.523.2742