jkh@jade.BERKELEY.EDU (Jordan K. Hubbard) (01/22/87)
Article: 1:44 OPEN REPLY TO OPEN LETTER in mod.rec.guns First, let us thank the moderator for creating and maintaining this news group. He is owed a debt of gratitude from all of us. Second, this group is specifically directed to the interests of gun owners, not gun grabbers. If the people who wish to expound the virtues of "gun control" feel that they have been the "victims" of censorship, LET THEM START THEIR OWN NEWS GROUP, talk.gun-ban or whatever. Total civilian disarmament (for everyone but themselves and their friends) is all they are interested in. If the moderator wishes to "censor" those postings, it is his right to do so. The majority of readers of this group are not interested in civilian disarmament. Third, I personally feel that it is very difficult to own a gun and not become "politically" involved. I do not know of any group of law-abiding citizens that is so subject to government regulations and investigations as are gun owners. No other group faces the confiscation of its property at the whim of federal or local government. No other group has been subjected by the general news media to such a degree of character assassination. Fourth, if the moderator feels that my comments or anyone else's are not appropriate, he has the right not to post them to the net. I suggest that the readers of this news group send mail to Jordan and give him some idea of what the readership feels is appropriate. If my "political" commentaries are out of line for this news group, you can subscribe to the mail.firearms group at cbrma!firearms and get them there. Last, I think that gun owners are only now becoming aware of how vulnerable they are to gun confiscation. I recall reading an article in which an official of the BATF said that collecting the guns in this country is simply a matter of having access to the membership list of the NRA and the subscription lists of gun magazines. I also corresponded for a time with a very battle-scarred veteran of the war to save the Second Amendment. He told me that the probable scenario for gun confiscation would be, not a law passed by Congress, but the invoking of the Emergency Powers Act by the President in response to "terrorism," "civil disturbance," or some other contrived event. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Jon Kaplowitz
jkh@jade.UUCP (01/31/87)
I share your sentiments completely. A well written letter that even those of us who read without posting should support. My thanks to you and our moderator! Jeff Carter Sun Microsytems