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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxi!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxb!alle
From: alle@ihuxb.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: weapons and nukes.
Message-ID: <389@ihuxb.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Oct-83 08:56:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxb.389
Posted: Thu Oct 13 08:56:51 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Oct-83 04:59:56 EDT
References: <189@tekecs.UUCP> <370@ihuxb.UUCP> <517@alberta.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il
Lines: 29


  >> Comparing your PTN to a handgun is not a valid comparison, since
  >> the precedent for banning explosives for citizens exists already.
  >> ---------------------------

    > What is the precedent?  If I fired the PTN from a bazooka or
  > other medium arms (they CAN get that small) it would be just that--
  > ARMS.
    > What is the difference between light/medium/heavy arms? Where
  > does the line get drawn? 
  > 
   > What about a 16 inch gun from an old battleship WITH A SOLID (1-ton)
  > SHELL?  Since that is non-explosive, whould it be legal?

 
The precedent is that such weapons (bazookas, howitzers, 16-inch guns,etc.)
are already outlawed for the civilian population.  You are clearly
attempting to provoke an emotional response by using a *gasp*
NUCLEAR (heaven forbid) weapon in your example.  What does it matter
what type of weapon it is?  The point is that legislators and
bureaucrats have decided and will continue to decide where the
line will be drawn.

I am not going to try to justify why particular weapons have been
outlawed for the civilian population, since I did not draw up the
restrictions and do not particularly care for them.

Allen England at AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, IL 
ihnp4!ihuxb!alle