MRK> None of this between the lines stuff. It is possible to read anything
 MRK> you want "between the lines".
 MRK> WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE STATED HCI GOALS.
 MRK> The silence is deafening.
 MRK> dtf
 MRK> ----- END ORIGINAL MESSAGE -----
The stated goal of HCI is to ban all firearms, unless they've changed it here 
recently.
Of course, then they would be out of a job.  More likely they'll keep trying 
to pile law upon law, restriction upon restriction, moving the debate from 
one topic to another (Saturday night specials, waiting periods, cop-killer 
bullets, assault weapons, child safety locks, gun shows, etc., etc.) in order 
to keep the flames burning hot for as long as possible.  That way they get 
the most donations.  Unfortunately, I'm afraid some pro-gun organizations 
have the same attitude.  None of them really want a final resolution; that 
would mean the end of their importance.
 MRK>   Does anyone know if it is true that most criminals obtain their guns
 MRK> at gun shows?  I wonder.  Of course, most criminals probably obtain
 MRK> their cars at used car lots also.  Does it really mean anything?
Based on my own experience at gun shows, I highly doubt that many career 
criminals shop there.  The people I met simply didn't fit the profile, but 
rather tended to be polite, friendly, and clean-cut persons.  There could be 
a wolf in sheep's clothing, but I'm sure that is by far the exception rather 
than the rule.
From what I gather, most criminal types either steal their guns or buy them 
on the black market.  And the black market is fueled by organized gun runners 
who set up "straw man" purchases from scattered small shops.
Since I am a Libertarian, I tend to frown upon all sorts of federal gun 
legislation.  However, if there *must* be some law passed to keep guns out of 
the hands of criminals, I would ask: why not a tax break for people who buy 
gun vaults?  That would probably help as much as anything, and it would be no 
burden upon lawful gun owners.
 MRK> Does the NRA have a comprehensive plan for reducing the number of
 MRK> gun-related deaths in the U.S.?  This is the single biggest threat to
 MRK> our right to own guns (yes, I own powder-burners too).  I don't feel
 MRK> that our highly urbanized society (yep, even here in Idaho) will long
 MRK> continue to tolerate such numbers.
I don't think there's any solution as long as people continue to have zero 
tolerance for any risk in their lives.  Did you notice the recent debate to 
impose national standards for DWI/DUI alcohol levels?  Groups like MADD were 
frothing at the mouth to get that law passed, on the theory that it would 
save FOUR OR FIVE LIVES per year.  That in a country of 270 million people. 
As long as that sort of thinking holds sway, you will never reduce 
gun-related deaths enough to get gun haters off your back.
The problem isn't the number of shooting deaths, the problem is how they are 
publicized.  Anything can be blown out of proportion if it suits someone's 
political agenda.
    -- Tony Belding 
--- Spot 1.3a #535
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