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Politics : Ask Michael Burke -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Tommaso who wrote (80084)	4/24/2000 9:55:00 PM
From: Mike M2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 132070

Tommasso, the registration of firearms would facilitate the confiscation of those firearms. I don't think it is absurd to be vigilant against the governments attempts to subvert our rights. In addition, I don't think many bad guys will register their arms -g-. NRA sums it up nicely if guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns. Mike

To: Tommaso who wrote (80084)	4/24/2000 10:36:00 PM
From: Don Lloyd	Respond to of 132070

Tommaso - [...The belief that registering guns will lead inevitably to confiscation is absurd....] The reality is worse. Registration is merely a means to an end, and its lack a mere inconvenience that MAY cause second thoughts at a crucial time. All government is inherently inclined to expand in size and scope without limit unless and until checked. Governments are granted a near monopoly on the use of force, and are never satisfied with its degree. Every government will proceed to the confiscation of guns as soon as it can. Registration is a useful, but not necessary mechanism for doing so. Most importantly, successful registration is a demonstration project of what is possible at a given time. In Australia, successful registration preceded confiscation by a mere six months. Regards, Don

To: Tommaso who wrote (80084)	4/24/2000 11:32:00 PM
From: JBW	Respond to of 132070

Tommasso, Given the shrill level of anti gun rhetoric maybe you better think on this some more. The motive of the people pushing registration is what worries me. Do you think criminals will register their guns or use gun locks? I would rather err on the side of caution on this one. Maybe when the present occupants of the WH are gone but not now. JBW

To: Tommaso who wrote (80084)	4/25/2000 3:38:00 PM
From: Dennis O'Bell	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 132070

Our founding fathers were justifiably suspicious of the very government they were creating, and the radical document they set down has stood the test of time. All the more impressive that the French, who take great pride in their cartesian spirit, are already on their 5'th republic since the revolution and still haven't quite gotten it quite right! There is a certain unfortunate tendency in lawmaking, as if the creation of enough laws will protect us from having to think for ourselves or critically about events in the future. It sounds like a sensible idea to ban pornography, monitor and cleanse the internet of revisionist literature, or register all firearms. But the real price of freedom is eternal vigilance. It's really the only working attitude that can effectively deal with the unpredictability of the future.