Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site zehntel.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!cord!hudson!ihnp1!ihnp4!zehntel!cjohnson From: cjohnson@zehntel.UUCP (Chris Johnson) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Re: handgun control Message-ID: <1745@zehntel.UUCP> Date: Wed, 16-Jan-85 13:48:08 EST Article-I.D.: zehntel.1745 Posted: Wed Jan 16 13:48:08 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 19-Jan-85 10:44:05 EST Organization: Zehntel Automation Systems Inc, Walnut Creek CA Lines: 61 Reasons for owning a gun: 1) Self defense 2) Hunting/Sport 3) Collecting 4) Crime Why not ban handguns? Self defense : con: I will be left defenseless if I am attacked. pro: If you own a handgun AND it is used to shoot a person there is an 80% chance it will be used to shoot you or someone you know. (source Congressional Committee reports circa 1978) Think about this - do you think that the odds are a good bet? Hunting/Sport : con : Don't take away my toys. pro : Handguns are not exactly the weapon of choice of hunters due to inaccuracy and lack of power. If you want a challenge (as was implied in an earlier posting) use a bow and arrow, or remove the sights or something. Collecting : con : Don't take away my toys. pro : Prove to the authorities that your toy can't be fired and you can keep it. It's dangerous to fire an antique gun anyway unless its in perfect condition. Crime : (No one is seriously suggesting that handguns should be kept legal so that criminals can have them, are they? ______________________________________________________________________________ Legalistic argument: con: Banning handguns violates the constitution. pro: Guess again Chucko. (oops, there's my bias showing) A militia can be well armed with many other possible weapons, and any other interpretation of the second ammendment logically implies that I have a right to my own private nuke to be used in event of an attack against my country. Alternate method argument: con: criminals will just use knives, rifles, or some such weapon. pro: A rifle is very difficult to conceal, a sawwed off shotgun is still large, a knife is usually not as lethal (it is at least possible to run from a knife). The plain fact is that no weapon is as effective as a handgun from a criminal's point of view. It's easy to conceal, and fairly lethal. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Suggested method of implementing a ban: 1) Ban handguns and all 'law abiding' owners will turn them in. 2) Have yearly amnesties, say one week, when guns may be turned in without fear of arrest. 3) Perhaps offer a reward for any gun turned in to get peoples greed motive in action. For your consideration, Chris "I asked this guy and he said it made sense" Johnson