Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site randvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!randvax!david From: david@randvax.UUCP (David Shlapak) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: handgun control Message-ID: <2230@randvax.UUCP> Date: Fri, 4-Jan-85 02:20:53 EST Article-I.D.: randvax.2230 Posted: Fri Jan 4 02:20:53 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 7-Jan-85 01:45:03 EST References: <> <265@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP> <2223@randvax.UUCP> <2228@randvax.UUCP> <2229@randvax.UUCP> Organization: Rand Corp., Santa Monica Lines: 61 > > > from randvax!rohn > > > I'd be interested in answers from the control advocates to the following > > > question: Assuming some sort of national handgun control is instituted, > > > why do you think that that will prevent criminals from getting handguns > > > illegally, just as most of them do now? > > > > from --- das (David Shlapak) > > That's the whole point of NATIONAL gun control...making it harder to > > get a handgun anywhere. One of the most pernicious characteristics of > > a handgun is its size; it's not at all difficult to carry one from > > point A, where there are no or lax gun control laws, to point B, > > where stricter regulations may exist. A national law could be quite > > effective in preventing this traffic in semi-legal weaponry. > > > > Remember, most "illegal" handguns were legal at some point in their > > travels... > > I don't deny that nationally controlling handguns would make them harder > to get. I'm just not yet convinced that criminals would have a *much* > harder time getting them. Heroin is illegal everywhere in the US, but > it does seem to turn up a lot, and from what I'm told, if you have the > money, it isn't hard to get. Why would handguns be any different? (That > wasn't meant as a rhetorical question...:-) ) > > > Lauri I'm prepared to argue, Lauri, that we'd see a lot more junkies on the street if heroin was legal and could be purchased legally at K-marts and "sporting goods" stores... I used to keep a loaded gun (rifle, not handgun) by my bed, because I lived in a bad neighborhood and felt I needed the protection. When I moved "across the tracks" I first unloaded the gun, then got rid of it entirely. I don't think guns are evil...they're instruments, just like a jack handle, which is also lethal if misused. The problem is, handguns are intended for one and only one purpose...the destruction of human beings. I DON'T believe possesion of handguns necessarily should be outlawed, for all the reasons that you and others have been bringing up (the same reason I don't think arms control is the best thing since sliced bread....verifiability is a problem in both cases). I DO think that national legislation severely restricting who can own such weapons would go a long way towards easing the slaughter on our streets...I mean, do you realize that more Americans are killed every year by fellow Americans with guns than were ever killed in a similar time span by Viet Cong and NVA with guns, mortars, artillery, etc? Look at the numbers...most handgun murders are committed by non-criminals. I'm realistic enough to know that gun control is not the entire answer to the problem of violence in our society...in fact, I'm sufficiently cynical to believe that there is no answer...if, however, stringent national gun control can cut the number of needless deaths in half, that's about 10,000 more mothers and fathers and husbands and wives who will live to celebrate another Christmas than would otherwise be the case. I think that's a worthwhile goal, even if it still means that some "criminals" still have guns. Better none dead than 10,000, but better 10,000 than 20,000. --- das