BY GILES MORRIS
DAILY NEWS STAFF

Long-time Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil coined the phrase, 'All politics is local,' but increasingly national organizations have put its relevance in doubt by entering directly into the local political process.

Rhinelander Mayor Dick Johns found that out firsthand this week as he was beset with angry phone calls and e-mails generated by a National Rifle Association (NRA) mailing accusing him of belonging to "a national anti-gun group."

The mailing referred to Johns' membership with "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" (MAIG) and urged NRA members to demand that the mayor denounce his affiliation with the group, claiming they have lobbied Congress against national reciprocity of right-to-carry permits and reform of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and for regulating gun shows and repealing privacy rights for gun owners.

Johns said he was confused by the situation, explaining that he joined the organization at the invitation of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to show his support for keeping illegally obtained guns off of the city streets.

"I could care less how anyone buys or trades guns, but I can't sit here as mayor and support illegal guns in our city," Johns said. "I may have gotten myself mixed up in something bigger than I am, but to me it's a simple thing."

Johns said the MAIG fact sheet's explanation was enough of a reason to support their position.

"As mayor, it is my responsibility to keep the streets of our city safe from gun violence. Mayors in the coalition will continue to fight against the flow of illegal guns into our cities while respecting our citizens' rights under the Second Amendment," the explanation reads.

Rhinelander Police Chief Mike Steffes, an NRA member, said he received the flyer but stands behind the mayor's position to fight against the availability of illegally obtained guns.

"When you look what it really stands for, I don't know why a mayor wouldn't be against illegal guns," Steffes said.

Steffes said the issue does not just affect big cities, pointing to the large-scale gun theft perpetrated against Hodag Gun & Loan last year.

"That was an instance when there was going to be a number of guns out on the street available for anyone. I think that type of scenario happening in our city is enough for the mayor to support illegal gun legislation," Steffes said.

Steffes said that as an NRA member and a police chief he supports legal gun ownership and fights illegal gun ownership.

"I've very much behind Second Amendment rights and gun ownership but when it comes to obtaining illegal guns it's my job to make that not happen," Steffes said.