Charlton Slams Clinton Gun Stance

The official vote hasn't even happened yet, but Charlton Heston is ready to lead the National Rifle Association and took his first shots at President Clinton.

"America didn't trust you with our healthcare system, America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don't trust you with our guns," Heston told a cheering crowd of NRA supporters.

Heston's expected election signals a new direction for the NRA as it attempts to shake off charges of extremism and civic irresponsibility. The Hollywood icon may not do it politely, but he promises to make the NRA respectable again.

The mainstream is where the NRA should be speaking one, proud and prudent voice and believe you me your voice rumbles like thunder.

Heston steps into the job as poll figures show that more Americans favor stricter gun controls after a series schoolyard shootings across the country.

Conventioneers honored two brothers who disarmed teenage gunman, Kip Kinkel, in Oregon last month after he shot and killed two students, but there are no formal sessions planned this weekend on the deadly school massacres.

Still, members are gearing up to fight back against a rash of new legislation to separate children from guns.

"Unfortunately the standard mantra is to prohibit something instead of making people take responsibilities for their actions," one parent told CBS News Correspondent Troy Roberts.

The first legislative fight may come this month when a bill requiring manufacturers to install new safety locks will be introduced. It'll be the first test for new NRA president Charlton Heston and his more mainstream ideals.