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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!houxu!welsch
From: welsch@houxu.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Some thoughts on Karl and gun control
Message-ID: <207@houxu.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 25-Sep-83 10:13:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: houxu.207
Posted: Sun Sep 25 10:13:13 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 27-Sep-83 04:31:32 EDT
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 56

I am shocked by the articles by "Karl" on the wife beating
incident.  Karl is one person who I hope does not get a permit
for a hand gun and should have his privilege to own and carry a
rifle should be revoked.  I make these statements based on the
way Karl describes that he handled the incidents.

When the woman first entered his apartment, why didn't Karl call
the police. If the incident was tense enough to require him to
walk her to her car with his hand gun, then why didn't he just
call the police. Somehow it seems so simple a solution. What
bothers me about Karl is that he is so willing to take control
of the situation and to use his gun. There is no concern for
people not involved. The incident takes place in an apartment
complex. Do we really want people firing guns, even in self
defense in an apartment complex? I surely don't. Bullets pass
through people and walls and the chances of injuring someone not
involved in the incident, such as an upstairs neighbor are high.

The second incident Karl describes tells me he doesn't know much
about proper use of a gun or rifle.  Basically Karl was just
asking to be shot and he is lucky he wasn't.  The reason I say
this is that nobody but a dam fool would attempt to bluff with a
gun.  Unless you are prepared to use a gun there is no sense in
carrying it.  Karl was not prepared to use the gun, it was by
his own admission unloaded.  

Karl was lucky on two counts.  First, that he didn't meet the
enraged husband with the tire iron.  What was he going to say to
the husband, stop or I'll shoot?  The husband was furious and
the threat would have meant nothing.  The husband might have his
own gun and shot Karl on the spot or have charged Karl with the
tire iron again.  

Second, Karl was lucky the law officer didn't shoot him.  Point
a gun at someone you don't know who is looking for an enraged
husband and then move that gun rapidly and you are looking for
trouble.  Karl speaks highly of police training and split second
decisions.  I got news for Karl, police do the best they can and
are highly trained, but they are also human and subject to
errors just as the rest of us.  Under the conditions Karl
describes it would not have been an error if he had been shot
and killed by the police officer.  Regrettable yes, but not an
error in judgement. 

Karl, for your own protection I recommend you get rid of your
guns.  From the view point of the state, who should rightly be
concerned with the protection of those around you I recommend
that your gun licenses be revoked and your license to carry a
hand gun not be granted.

Guns give people a false sense of security which frequently
leads to rash, not well thought out actions.  Karl in his
articles has demonstrated this principle.

				Larry Welsch
				houxu!welsch