From:	Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject:	Re: guns, guns, guns...
Date:	Tue, 11 Apr 1995 21:19:13 -0400

>>>>> "Robert" == Robert Watkins <bob@**.NTU.EDU.AU>
writes:

Robert> No... in the 1700's the British Government (the Crown didn't have
Robert> too much to do with it) said a bunch of scruffy peasants aren't
Robert> going to win a rebellion. The arms level was about right.

Picky, picky. Just remember that at the time, the British Army was
considered to be one of the most feared fighting forces in the world, and
the British Navy one of the most feared naval forces. And that bunch of
scruffy peasants not only defeated them, but forced them to retreat.

Robert> Futhermore, they only sent a small punitive expedition... if they'd
Robert> really wanted to stop you, they would have.

In a word, ``not.''

Robert> In Eastern Europe, it's not a bunch of guys with rifles. It's a
Robert> bunch of guys with full on military gear, including armour,
Robert> artillery, and air support.

As Hayden put it so suscinctly, isn't it amazing that the Afghanistani
peasants, armed with cast-offs, forced the Soviet military machine to
retreat from their country.

Robert> The intent of the 2nd Ammendment is no longer feasible, so the law
Robert> should be changed.

>> Over my dead body.

Robert> The law should be changed in one of two ways: you should either NOT
Robert> be allowed guns (unless you find a new principle... I can think of
Robert> several possibilities),

Over my dead body.

Robert> or you should be allowed full access to EVERYTHING, so you can
Robert> properly fulfill the intent. Anyone here believe the latter is a
Robert> good way to go?

I don't. You've obviously missed the intent.

There really is no need for heavy and automatic weapons in the hands of the
general populace, and my reasons are tactical and strategic, not political.
And should the President or Congress attempt to abuse the US Armed forces,
a goodly percentage will not obey those unlawful orders, thus placing the
US military arsenal, or a goodly percentage thereof, in the hands of the
population most properly trained to use them should it become necessary.

And finally, not being a US citizen yourself, where do you get off saying
that our laws need to be changed?

--
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