Hi Folks,
I have finally had enough. I will say this once. I will post
nothing further on this subject to the Arachne List. Anyone wants to
flame me - DO IT OFF LIST.
> From: "Samuel W. Heywood"
> Subject: Re: Warning, mailbomb exploit
On Thu, 17 Aug 2000 12:10:04 +0700 (JAVT), Eko Priono wrote:
>> 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.
Sam:
> 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.
> 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.
I am sorry Sam, and those who take the same view. I am with Eko on
this. I have seen what access to firearms can do.
To explain: I spent some of my childhood in Kenya during the Mau Mau
emergency. For those who are not old enough, this was in the early
fifties when Kenya was virtually in civil war against terrorists, or
"freedom fighters" depending on your level of ignorance. Firearms were
under strict control. Any civilian was entitled to own and carry a
firearm. My best frient, age 10, was licenced to carry a .22 automatic
pistol. You could not get a licence, and could go to jail, if your guns
were not secured properly in a re-inforced concrete gun safe.
But if your firearm was lost or stolen - YOU went to jail.
In such a situation, when your life really was in danger most of the
time, access to firearms may be justified - with all the mandatory
safeguards that brings. Those who live in some of the trouble spots
around the world may understand what I am saying, and what I am
deliberately NOT saying.
BUT:
Are you at civil war in the USA ?
Are you in the middle of an armed struggle ?
Are people being butchered daily for their posessions or just because
they are of a different ethnic group ?
Or are you just playing cowboys and indians with grown-up toys, with
no conception of the real thing ?
In peacetime, and in a democratic society, there are those who would
and should have access to firearms. That includes "sportsmen", perhaps,
and must include police and security organisations from time to time.
But civilians ? Why ?
May we never see a real reason for us civilians to carry guns, again.
Until you have been in a situation where it is necessary, you will not
appreciate how wonderful it is when it is not necessary.
Flame me - BUT OFF LIST.
Regards,
Ron
Ron Clarke http://homepages.valylink.net.au/~ausreg/music.html
-- This mail was written by user of Arachne, the Ultimate Internet Client
-- This mail was written by user of Arachne, the Ultimate Internet Client
