Letters to the Editor 05-31-2000
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Gun Issue - Accident - Leesburg Parade
Gun Issue
Editor, Times-Union:Clearly the nation is polarized over the inane issues of handgun registration and a 72-hour waiting period for gun show purchases. I am writing to present a reality check to the misguided sycophants who are advocating the "common sense gun legislation." Both of these initiatives constitute aggressive steps toward the "disarming of America" that Bill Clinton undoubtedly desires to leave as his legacy.
The three-day waiting period will increase the transaction costs of firearms purchases and, given that gun shows rarely run longer than two or three days, the waiting period would reduce the economic incentive to even hold such shows, effectively eliminating them from the marketplace. The Democrats could have possessed a 24-hour waiting period last July, but they killed the bill and indirectly revealed their intention to eliminate gun shows. One of their amendments was so broad that even a private transaction between family members would have been susceptible to the ludicrous legal demands.
Our founding fathers would be turning in their graves if they heard the proposal to register firearms and indoctrinate firearm owners. The analogy of vehicle registration is invalid because vehicles are not protected by the Constitution and are not pivotal to freedom. Although many people on the far right would disagree, we currently do not live under an oppressive regime. However, a generation or two after passage of a gun ban, the lawmakers who passed it with "good intentions" would be gone and the new lawmakers would have no barricade to passing tyrannical laws. Criminal organizations would wreak havoc on the disarmed "sheep" and profit from such behavior just as did the liquor runners of the 1920s and 1930s. As has been pointed out in previous letters, theft and violence crimes in Great Britain and Australia have skyrocketed a mere few years after complete gun bans were enacted. Criminals, by definition, will not obey gun control efforts. Registration is the mechanism with which both of those countries initiated their incremental disarmament.
Both sides can agree that the problem of murders by firearm-toting lunatics is frightening. We must remember that the rate of these occurrences is minuscule, in a free society of nearly 300 million people, a first-year statistics student will acknowledge that a sizable number of violent incidents will occur. We must accept this fact: arm ourselves safely and protect our loved ones. With nearly 90 percent of the national media considering themselves as liberal (per a recent study), the people who know better must persuade the media to not over-report or emotionalize violent occurrences. Our freedoms are being eroded for such "well-intentioned" causes as "safety," "children's rights" and "environmental responsibility." A conservative Congress and White House, as well as a reinvigorated NRA, would at least contain the anti-liberty culture's agenda for another generation. When people are dying in other countries to possess freedom from tyranny, we must ask ourselves why a "million" morons marched for the abridgment of ours.
Clint Harris
Warsaw
Accident
Editor, Times-Union:On May 12th, 2000, at approximately 10:30 p.m., my daughter was sitting at the stoplight next to Burger King on East Center Street. A small white car suddenly came up from behind, ran into the back of her car, pushing her into the car in front. The occupants of the car that hit her then slowly backed up and drove away. These people did not even stick around to find out if the people in my daughter's car were all right, let alone alive. More than likely these people were drinking, on drugs, or had no insurance. AÊman in a truck pulled up along the side of the road and said it was a white Probe. One girl in my daughter's car said it seemed much lower and had flip-up headlights. I am hoping thatÊthe man, or anyone else who observed that accident that night, would pick up their phone and call the police. A reward of $100 will be offered to anyone who can lead us to the person whoÊis responsible. My daughter's car was totaled, and she and the other occupants in her car were treated at KCH.
I am so thankful that they were not seriously injured, but I would like the other driver to do what is right, and take responsiblity.
Donna Noe-Murdock
Claypool
via e-mail
Leesburg Parade
Editor, Times-Union:The Committee for the Leesburg Memorial Day Parade appreciated the great community participation, the attendance of spectators and the beautiful day.
Prizes for the parade entries were provided by Farmers State Bank. The ceremony at the Leesburg Cemetery was well attended. The service was planned by Marilyn Hartman and directed by Susie Richey. Doris Huffman of Florida also assisted with the service.
Pastor Jeff Hoffard of the Leesburg Brethren Church was the speaker. Music was provided by the Willows. Refreshments were served by Robert and Sandra Allen, family and friends at the Allens' residence located near the Leesburg Cemetery.
Sue Charlton
Committee Member
Leesburg
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- Gun Issue - Accident - Leesburg Parade
Gun Issue
Editor, Times-Union:Clearly the nation is polarized over the inane issues of handgun registration and a 72-hour waiting period for gun show purchases. I am writing to present a reality check to the misguided sycophants who are advocating the "common sense gun legislation." Both of these initiatives constitute aggressive steps toward the "disarming of America" that Bill Clinton undoubtedly desires to leave as his legacy.
The three-day waiting period will increase the transaction costs of firearms purchases and, given that gun shows rarely run longer than two or three days, the waiting period would reduce the economic incentive to even hold such shows, effectively eliminating them from the marketplace. The Democrats could have possessed a 24-hour waiting period last July, but they killed the bill and indirectly revealed their intention to eliminate gun shows. One of their amendments was so broad that even a private transaction between family members would have been susceptible to the ludicrous legal demands.
Our founding fathers would be turning in their graves if they heard the proposal to register firearms and indoctrinate firearm owners. The analogy of vehicle registration is invalid because vehicles are not protected by the Constitution and are not pivotal to freedom. Although many people on the far right would disagree, we currently do not live under an oppressive regime. However, a generation or two after passage of a gun ban, the lawmakers who passed it with "good intentions" would be gone and the new lawmakers would have no barricade to passing tyrannical laws. Criminal organizations would wreak havoc on the disarmed "sheep" and profit from such behavior just as did the liquor runners of the 1920s and 1930s. As has been pointed out in previous letters, theft and violence crimes in Great Britain and Australia have skyrocketed a mere few years after complete gun bans were enacted. Criminals, by definition, will not obey gun control efforts. Registration is the mechanism with which both of those countries initiated their incremental disarmament.
Both sides can agree that the problem of murders by firearm-toting lunatics is frightening. We must remember that the rate of these occurrences is minuscule, in a free society of nearly 300 million people, a first-year statistics student will acknowledge that a sizable number of violent incidents will occur. We must accept this fact: arm ourselves safely and protect our loved ones. With nearly 90 percent of the national media considering themselves as liberal (per a recent study), the people who know better must persuade the media to not over-report or emotionalize violent occurrences. Our freedoms are being eroded for such "well-intentioned" causes as "safety," "children's rights" and "environmental responsibility." A conservative Congress and White House, as well as a reinvigorated NRA, would at least contain the anti-liberty culture's agenda for another generation. When people are dying in other countries to possess freedom from tyranny, we must ask ourselves why a "million" morons marched for the abridgment of ours.
Clint Harris
Warsaw
Accident
Editor, Times-Union:On May 12th, 2000, at approximately 10:30 p.m., my daughter was sitting at the stoplight next to Burger King on East Center Street. A small white car suddenly came up from behind, ran into the back of her car, pushing her into the car in front. The occupants of the car that hit her then slowly backed up and drove away. These people did not even stick around to find out if the people in my daughter's car were all right, let alone alive. More than likely these people were drinking, on drugs, or had no insurance. AÊman in a truck pulled up along the side of the road and said it was a white Probe. One girl in my daughter's car said it seemed much lower and had flip-up headlights. I am hoping thatÊthe man, or anyone else who observed that accident that night, would pick up their phone and call the police. A reward of $100 will be offered to anyone who can lead us to the person whoÊis responsible. My daughter's car was totaled, and she and the other occupants in her car were treated at KCH.
I am so thankful that they were not seriously injured, but I would like the other driver to do what is right, and take responsiblity.
Donna Noe-Murdock
Claypool
via e-mail
Leesburg Parade
Editor, Times-Union:The Committee for the Leesburg Memorial Day Parade appreciated the great community participation, the attendance of spectators and the beautiful day.
Prizes for the parade entries were provided by Farmers State Bank. The ceremony at the Leesburg Cemetery was well attended. The service was planned by Marilyn Hartman and directed by Susie Richey. Doris Huffman of Florida also assisted with the service.
Pastor Jeff Hoffard of the Leesburg Brethren Church was the speaker. Music was provided by the Willows. Refreshments were served by Robert and Sandra Allen, family and friends at the Allens' residence located near the Leesburg Cemetery.
Sue Charlton
Committee Member
Leesburg
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