On Thu, 17 Aug 2000 12:10:04 +0700 (JAVT), Eko Priono wrote:
> On Wed, 16 Aug 2000 18:59:23 -0400, L.D. Best wrote:
<snip>
>> They were out to "prevent gun violence" and trampling on
>> the 99% [including professional law enforcement officers]
>> just didn't seem to matter to them.
> I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I have to disagree. We already have
> firearm control law here in Indonesia since cca. 30 years
> ago. Except of few trained (and screened) topmost corporate
> managers, firearms are out of limit for civilians. And it
> *do* prevent deadly violence. Off course you can't suppress
> violence completely, since even a chopstick could be used as
> weapon. But IMHO, allowing everyone carrying guns, would
> only degrade us into a wild wild west realm, where most
> disputes settled off by crossfire.
A new law in the State of Viginia now requires judges to issue concealed
weapons carry permits to almost any applicant over 21 years of age who has
no criminal record or a history of mental disorders. Since the passage of
the liberalized concealed carry law, gun violence has declined dramatically
in my state. I suppose it is because robbers, muggers, and rapists have
considerable fear of confronting a would-be victim who might be armed.
> People are unpredictable
> at best.
At best, it is quite predictable that robbers, muggers, and rapists would
prefer to pick on defenseless victims.
> Even a highly trained cop could become a loose
> cannon sometimes, although quite rare because of his/her
> higher standards. Just Imagine if any schoolboy allowed to
> carry guns, the consequences can be even more devastating...
<snip>
The people have nothing to fear from people of high moral standards
carrying arms. Only dictators and criminals will have fear of the
upright armed citizens. Many schoolboys and girls may also be included
among the responsible and patriotic citizens. I'm in favor of power
to the people.
All the best,
Sam Heywood
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