Encouraging Article

[VegasGeorge]

I received this encouraging article from a friend. Just thought I should share it with you all.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=57641

[Bill of Rights]

Thanks George!

"Given the unquestionable threat to public safety that unrestricted private firearm possession would entail, various categories of firearm-related regulation are permitted by the Second Amendment,"

"Unquestionable"? I'm questioning it! Prior to 1934 and the NFA, anyone could purchase any defensive weapon he or she chose, anywhere, anytime, just like buying a plow or a horse or a hammer-It was a tool used to do a job, and treated as such. No mass shootings occurred. Prior to 1968, anyone could walk into the local hardware store and buy a pistol, rifle, or shotgun. No "background checks", no waiting periods, no permits, no registration-and no mass shootings occurred, just a few very well-publicized (and questionably originated) assassinations. So, we had more and more and more laws passed against private firearm ownership, and now the words "Columbine", "Virginia Tech", and "going postal" are all part of our lexicon.

We've had it both ways: Few laws and few restrictions were associated with few crimes. Many laws and many restrictions (infringements, if you prefer) are associated with many crimes.

WHY is it so terribly hard for educated men and women to see not only the correlative but causative effect these facts show? http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/headshake.gif

OK. Off my http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/soapbox.gif

Blessings,
B

[Sandhiller]

Just an addition, BoR-- prior to 1934 a private citizen could also buy a Thompson or any other full-auto his hardware store could order for him.

[Bill of Rights]

Sure could, Sandhiller... that's why I said "any defensive weapon". http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/bang.gif
I think that whirring sound we hear is our Founders rolling over in their graves... at about 1789 rpm. Hmm.... "revolutions"... Not a pun I intended, but I think I'll let it stay.

Thanks for the post and the info.

Blessings,
B

[Sandhiller]

Sure could, Sandhiller... that's why I said "any defensive weapon".

Didn't mean to be telling you what you already knew! I had a friend/mentor when I was a kid who had been an Auto Ordnance salesman prior to '34. Sold a lot of Thompsons to ranchers and farmers all over the west and midwest.

The impetus to ban private ownership (or at least make it very, very difficult) of auto-weapons came of course from criminal use of those weapons, and not anything citizens had done. That would have been a helluva good time to stand up and say "NO!"

[Bill of Rights]

Didn't mean to be telling you what you already knew! I had a friend/mentor when I was a kid who had been an Auto Ordnance salesman prior to '34. Sold a lot of Thompsons to ranchers and farmers all over the west and midwest.

The impetus to ban private ownership (or at least make it very, very difficult) of auto-weapons came of course from criminal use of those weapons, and not anything citizens had done. That would have been a helluva good time to stand up and say "NO!"

Hey, just because I knew it doesn't mean everyone who reads here does or did, but they will now, thanks to you. This is what it's all about-sharing information and keeping the knowledge of what's gone before available to those who weren't around to see it for themselves.

You're completely correct that the banning- oh, excuse me... taxing of ownership of so-called "Class IIIs" was because of criminal misuse. Alas, the people were not aware of what was being done, and succumbed to the fearmongering. I'd be unsurprised to find that a large portion of the electorate who contacted their Congress-critters or even who had an opinion were swayed by emotional responses and convinced that there was some difference between banning of "those guns WE don't need" and the banning of anything else. Too, however, this was around the time that the banning of "things" was in vogue: Prohibition comes to mind, and while common sense broke out and the 21st was passed, no one did anything about the NFA. Had we had the Internet back then, I don't think the NFA would have passed, or at least wouldn't have lasted long!

Once again, no problem with telling me something like that-even if I know it, someone else may not, and education's what we're all about here. Thanks very much for your help.

Blessings,
B

[Sandhiller]

Speaking of those pre-'34 days... I can't help but wonder how many of those Thompsons, Colt Monitors, BARs, etc. are still tucked away on ranches and farms all over the west.

[tuna]

I thought the famous criminals of the day didn't bother to get their full auto guns from stores? Didn't they just rob police stations and armories?



And so it began................

[Bill of Rights]

I don't know if this is sarcasm pointed at the Brady Bunch because I don't know if it's true or not, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt and answer as if it is factual:

It is said that an infamous criminal was asked once why he robbed banks, to which he replied, "That's where the money is." Similarly, it seems likely that you're correct, Tuna, that those with no respect for the property of others would steal from armories and police stations to get their guns, even back then, because it was cheaper than buying such things themselves, as honest people did.

And, y'know... if a couple of cops got in the way and got shot, no great loss, right? (yes, THAT'S sarcasm!)

Blessings,
B

[Sandhiller]

That was Willy Sutton.

And I didn't say that criminals bought their guns. I said that CITIZENS could buy full-autos at their local hardware.

[Bill of Rights]

I thought the famous criminals of the day didn't bother to get their full auto guns from stores? Didn't they just rob police stations and armories?


Similarly, it seems likely that you're correct, Tuna, that those with no respect for the property of others would steal from armories and police stations to get their guns, even back then, because it was cheaper than buying such things themselves, as honest people did.

That was Willy Sutton.

And I didn't say that criminals bought their guns. I said that CITIZENS could buy full-autos at their local hardware.

Indeed you did, Sandhiller.... but I was answering Tuna. ;-) :P

Have a nice night.

Blessings,
B

[Sandhiller]

So was I.