1.   Bush and Gore have strikingly different philosophies and stands on everything ranging from abortion to the role of government to the Supreme Court to gun laws.

2.   EDITORIAL-GUNS - ATF report highlights loopholes in gun laws at same time that Congress shoots down a major piece of gun safety legislation.

3.   The NRA attributed the decline in gun deaths largely to gun safety programs, which it promotes, and to gun laws.

4.   Government officials said administration policies, including hiring more police officers and strict enforcement of gun laws, have helped reduce gun deaths.

5.   Earlier US gun laws in the United States have been watered down under pressure from the NRA.