Re: rooters & shooters in Oz

[boddhisatva <kbevans@xxxxxxxxx>]

                Mr. MacLennan,



        I used to be in favor of quite radical (by American standards) gun
control, until I read that 60% of Republicans were also (naturally. I had
to rethink my position ;-).  Now, I think the main issue is what one
might call "gun order" which is removing local inconsistencies that make
draconian gun laws in one state (such as mine) or one city (such as New
York) moot by creating underground markets where legally purchased guns
are sold illegally.


        Not only that, but I think that the police in America have just
become too damned dangerous.  I'm starting to feel that they need to
develop a healthy respect for peoples' inclination to defend their homes
and persons.  There was a case in New York City a few years ago (I bet
Louis will remember the name of the guy) where riot-armored police thugs
went flying in to this guy's apartment (who had apparently been warned
that he was targeted by violent, corrupt police) and 6 or 7 of them got
shot for their efforts (the guy got away, too).  The NYPD rethought
department procedures after that incident.  Now I don't have a gun, but
I'm not sure I want the police to be able to assume that.






        peace








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