For its part, the rifle association says neither is true.

The new system has brought opposition from both the rifle association and gun control groups.

Officials of the rifle association were not immediately available today for comment on whether they would accept the approach.

Having accomplished that, he said, the rifle association was willing to live with the rest of the bill.

That provision was a particular concern of the rifle association.

A spokeswoman for the rifle association said it would appeal.

The situation is complicated by the growing intensity of the rifle association's efforts.

According to the analysis, the rifle association's political action commmittee gave money to 123 House members over the 18-month period.

The rifle association said today that it had hired the consultants.

But later, after the rifle association suddenly withdrew from the program, it seemed as though the artists might have shot themselves in the foot.