Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!gargoyle!shallit 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.