GUN CONTROL: CITIZEN OR SUBJECT?
Foster's Daily Democrat
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120511/GJOPINION_0102/705119999/-1/FOSOPINION
May 11 2012
This is in reply to not just one, but two anti-gun letters both of
which were written by Anthony McManus and both of which appeared in
Fosters on May 3.
A little gun history: In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From
1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves,
were rounded up and exterminated.
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953,
about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded
up and exterminated.
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total
of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves
were rounded up and exterminated.
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million
political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up
and exterminated.
Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981,
100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up
and exterminated.
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000
Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one
million well educated people, unable to defend themselves, were
rounded up and exterminated.
Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century
with the aid of gun control: 56 million.
It has now been approximately 3 years since gun owners in Australia
were forced by new laws to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to
be destroyed by their own Government, a program costing Australian
taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. Nationwide, in the first year
alone, homicides were up 3.2%, assaults up 8.6% and armed robberies
up 44%. In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are
now up 300%. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in,
the criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns. They
are now guaranteed that their prey is unarmed. There has also been a
dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the elderly. Australian
politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased
after such monumental effort and expense was expended in successfully
ridding Australian society of guns.
During World War II, Japan decided not to invade America for several
reasons, one of which was because they knew a high percentage of
Americans were armed!
Switzerland issues every household a gun and the government trains
every adult in firearm use and safety. Switzerland has the lowest
gun related crime rate of any civilized country in the world.
You won't see this information on the U.S. evening news, or hear any
politicians disseminating it. Guns in the hands of honest citizens
save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect
only the law-abiding citizens. Take note my fellow Americans, before
it's too late! The next time someone talks in favor of gun control,
please remind them of this history lesson. The writers of our
constitution were very wise men. They realized the importance of an
armed citizenry for personal defense and, if necessary, the defense
of our country. With guns, we are citizens' and without them, we are
'subjects'.
John Allard Barrington
Foster's Daily Democrat
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120511/GJOPINION_0102/705119999/-1/FOSOPINION
May 11 2012
This is in reply to not just one, but two anti-gun letters both of
which were written by Anthony McManus and both of which appeared in
Fosters on May 3.
A little gun history: In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From
1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves,
were rounded up and exterminated.
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953,
about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded
up and exterminated.
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total
of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves
were rounded up and exterminated.
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million
political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up
and exterminated.
Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981,
100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up
and exterminated.
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000
Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and
exterminated.
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one
million well educated people, unable to defend themselves, were
rounded up and exterminated.
Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century
with the aid of gun control: 56 million.
It has now been approximately 3 years since gun owners in Australia
were forced by new laws to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to
be destroyed by their own Government, a program costing Australian
taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. Nationwide, in the first year
alone, homicides were up 3.2%, assaults up 8.6% and armed robberies
up 44%. In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are
now up 300%. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in,
the criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns. They
are now guaranteed that their prey is unarmed. There has also been a
dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the elderly. Australian
politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased
after such monumental effort and expense was expended in successfully
ridding Australian society of guns.
During World War II, Japan decided not to invade America for several
reasons, one of which was because they knew a high percentage of
Americans were armed!
Switzerland issues every household a gun and the government trains
every adult in firearm use and safety. Switzerland has the lowest
gun related crime rate of any civilized country in the world.
You won't see this information on the U.S. evening news, or hear any
politicians disseminating it. Guns in the hands of honest citizens
save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect
only the law-abiding citizens. Take note my fellow Americans, before
it's too late! The next time someone talks in favor of gun control,
please remind them of this history lesson. The writers of our
constitution were very wise men. They realized the importance of an
armed citizenry for personal defense and, if necessary, the defense
of our country. With guns, we are citizens' and without them, we are
'subjects'.
John Allard Barrington