This "editorial" appeared Friday, May 17, 1996 in the Trenton Times. It's 
author is Arnold C. Ropeik, senior editor.
 All typos are mine.
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 Deadly Gun Giveaway is Stupid, Evil.
 One of the most dangerous, deadly and dispicable policies ever perpetrated 
in the name of the government of the United States will begin this October 
unless a whole lot of people start screaming their heads off.
 Despite a scattering of stories in the press and probably futile protests 
from decent legislators in Washington, very few people realize what a 
catastrophe will happen in less than five months.
 Under the dark umbrella of a virtually invisible provision slipped into the 
Defense Department budget for 1996, the pentagon will legally authorize the 
giveaway of over 176,000 never issued World War II and Korea carbines, 
computers, cash, and the keys to several federal buildings, all coming to 
about $80 million.
 These guns and enough ammo to start a small war, will go to a new and hazy 
private group called the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and 
Firearms Safety. Scary.
 And that "private" corporation, whose strings are being jerked by the 
National Rifle Association and the congressmen and senators the NRA 
intimidates with its dollars, will dispense these 176,000 death machines TO 
THE PUBLIC for the purported purpose of making the average citizen a better 
shooter. Just what we need. Better shooters.
 And there is one more horror in this mindless, mercenary con job. We are 
GIVING THESE GUNS AWAY. A cruel freebie.
 This private corporation can then issue, loan, or sell these guns and ammo, 
but it is not obligated to pay one bloody penny back to the government.
 LISTEN, AS GRIEVOUS , as stupid, as arrogant as the financial boondoggle is, 
it is the presence of these guns and bullets in the hands of Mr. Everyman-- 
on the farms and on the streets, in the homes, the pickup trucks, the barns, 
the woodlands, the pseudo military camps, the western ranches, and across the 
faceless, drug infested urban ghettos-- which pose a worse threat than any 
foreign foe imaginable. Because this threat will come from within.
 The release of this much firepower, added to the already out-of-control 
number of rapid fire guns on the loose, creates a real peril to our dwindling 
peace of mind.
 A nine-member board, and get this will you, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE 
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY, will oversee the distribution of these guns and 
bullets. Who are these nine people who will literally hold the power of life 
and death in their hands? Who chose them and why? Do they have NRA ties? Do 
they have experience with guns? Are they above reproach or can they be bought 
by the NRA as easily as votes in congress?
 Since 1903, when the Army found it had a gang (of soldiers) who couldn't 
shoot straight, the government has been subsidizing a civilian marksmanship 
program. Even the military will admit it failed. But at least the Defense 
Department had a modicum of control over it.
 Under this program, it will have none. NONE!
 Those guns will start showing up swiftly in more and more militias, more and 
more Wacos and Freemen, more and more terrorism, stronger and even bolder 
drug peddlers. They will appear at sell-fast, question-little gun shops and 
catalogs which will peddle them and duck. Legitimate sportspersons and honest 
gun buffs will be humiliated. People will die.
 Every one of the soul-selling, low principled sloths who forced this deal 
into the defense budget should be held accountable, either by law or at the 
polls. We ought to learn their names.
 If we want to be moronic and give away millions of tax dollars, that's one 
thing. We do it often.
 But giving away rifles and ammunition to an untrained, selfish, ever-more- 
ruthless element is just plain national suicide.
 The great Gun Scam starts in October.
 Speak up folks. Fast.
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 End of piece.
 Letters to the Editor, the Times
 500 Perry St.
 PO Box 847
 Trenton, NJ 08605
 Fax (609)394-2819
... If it saves just one life, enslaving you was worth it. ___ Blue Wave/QWK 
v2.12 
--- InterEcho 1.11
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