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From: shallit@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP (Jeff Shallit)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: handgun control - (nf)
Message-ID: <259@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 1-Jan-85 10:55:19 EST
Article-I.D.: gargoyle.259
Posted: Tue Jan  1 10:55:19 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 3-Jan-85 00:50:24 EST
References: <245@gargoyle.UUCP> <>
Reply-To: shallit@gargoyle.UUCP (Jeff )
Organization: U. Chicago - Computer Science
Lines: 37
Summary: 

In article <> renner@uiucdcs.UUCP writes:
>
>There are a great many things that do more harm than good in this country;
>for example, alcohol and tobacco.  This test by itself is not sufficient.
>In order to declare a thing X contraband, it should first be shown that in
>the great majority of cases a person who possesses X is likely to cause
>harm to others.  
>
>This is not the case with handguns.  There are perhaps 100 million
>handguns in the US.  There must be several million handgun owners.
>Obviously the great majority of handgun owners harm no one, else there
>would be many more than 22,000 handgun deaths each year.  The government is
>not entitled to force these people to dispose of their guns, as these
>people pose very little risk to others.
>
>Handgun control, as distinct from handgun prohibition, is a different
>matter.  Handgun control seeks to ensure that handgun owners know how to
>handle weapons safely, are of sound mind, and are not particularly disposed
>to violence.  Handgun control will only pass when it is clear that the
>controls are not to be a first step towards a total ban.
>
>Scott Renner
>{ihnp4,pur-ee}!uiucdcs!renner

Sorry, but this is just nonsense.  There are also thousands of people who
own submachine guns, and only a few get used.  Does this mean that submachine
guns should be legal, since MOST submachine guns are not used to kill people?

As to whether or not the government is ``entitled'' to ``force'' people
to dispose of their guns, let's note that the Morton Grove handgun ban
has been upheld by the US Supreme Court.  I guess the government IS
entitled.

Polls show that handgun control is desired by 60 - 70% of the American
people.  What Renner should have said is that handgun control will pass
when the NRA ceases to be a major influence on legislators.