I do recall in one of Buckley's sections ('On the Right') in '91 or '92, Buckley wanted the Brady Bill passed. This was before the '93 version was passed, with its sunset and replacement of the waiting period with the NICS check provisions. His argument stemmed on the need for the 'cool down' period to stop heat of the moment gun purchases and subsequent homicides and suicides.
I also recall one of David Kopel's issue papers on the 'Shall Issue' carry permits of the early 90's referred to Buckley as being a proponent of gun control, yet he enjoyed the benefits of a CCW in NYC because of his wealth and status. Kind of ironic because I know that at least one article of Kopel's has appeared in National Review.
As a snub to gun owners, National Review printed an inflammatory cover cartoon in '93 or '94 titled 'back to school issue', which shows a small child (with a slingshot in his back pocket) picking out a micro uzi from a wall display of what have been titled 'assault weapons' (Kalashnikov, AR15, SPAS 12 M1928 Thompson, and various autoloading pistols) while the surprised/ stumped proprieter/clerk is assisting the child. I thought that this was a smear on FFL dealers (specifically gun shop owners) since it presented a store environment that the two were in, and made it appear as if the proprieter had no means to prevent the child from examining or buying the firearm. I don't know what was going on in the heads of the editors or art staff at the time, considering that this cover would have been more likely on 'Mother Jones', 'The New Republic', or 'Rolling Stone' than a publication of the right side of the American political spectrum. If it was humor, it is a strange one that is in poor taste and misleading.
Aha! The issue with this cover on it is September 12, 1994. vol. XLVI, no. 17. The special section has the feature "School Wars", which have no articles on violence/guns in the schools, but articles on OBE (Outcome Based Education), school choice, mainstreaming, and other items. The cover is neither relevent to the contents or the truth (gun stores allowing minors in or letting them examine firearms?)
