From: Mike Tighe <tighe@convex.COM>
Subject: Richard Reeves Column
Originator: tighe@convex1.convex.com
Reply-To: tighe@convex.com
Organization: Convex Computer Corporation, Richardson, Texas
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1992 16:26:06 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

Richard Reeves, a syndicated columnist had a column in today's (02-Sep-92)
Dallas Morning News, titled, "One Typical Los Angeles Weekend: 28 Little
Murders" [August 22-23]. For the first 80% of it, he sensationalized some
of the killings.  Near the end, he stated:

	"Michael Jackson [LA radio talk show host] called me (and a number
	 of people) that day and asked what we would do about all this. I
	 answered:

	 1) Repeal the Second Amendment to the Constitution, because it is
	    now obviously insanity to give all Americans the right to bear
	    arms.

	 2) Establish a federal agency to regulate handguns as the Food and
	    Drug Administration regulates pharmaceuticals -- to register
	    and trace domestically manufactured and imported weapons and
	    ammunition.

	 3) Review all existing handgun licensees, with the idea of
	    revoking most of them.

	 4) Declare an amnesty period in which handguns could be turned in
	    to recycling stations without penalties or questions.

	 5) Use emergency police powers (and military powers, if necessary)
	    to sweep neighborhoods for illegal weapons.

	 6) Establish a automatic 10-year sentence without parole for
	    illegal weapon-possession convictions.

	 Draconian?

	 Really? And what do you call it when Americans have to risk their
	 lives to pull up to a stop sign or take the kids out for
	 hamburgers?"

Comments:

#1 - By asking to revoke the Second Amendment, he implies that it does give
the RKBA. And we thank you for your support.

#2 - Typical idiot liberal. Start another federal program. Since the
problem is guns owned by criminals, not law-abiding citizens, why believe
this new agency would be able to solve the problem of illegal guns when the
FDA has no effect on illegal drugs?

#3 - Most people carry illegally anyway.

#4 - Yeah right, like the no-questions asked buyback in Brooklyn. And no
compensations? Most people would keep them or sell to the black market.
Look at similar programs in CA, NJ.

#5 - He better watch it. The ACLU might revoke his membership with an idea
like this. When Ross Perot came up with this idea, the media jumped all
over him.

#6 - How about a 10-year, no parole sentence for MURDER, RAPE, ARMED
ROBERRY, etc.? That would be a lot more than what we have right now, at
least here in Texas. Oh yeah, and when, where and with what money are we
going to build enough jails to hold ~100 million Americans, since they
would all be caught in illegal possession under #5?

What was obvious, was that in none of his points, did he ever mention
penalties for the criminal that committed the act. Like that person is
absolved from any responsibility. This was most evidenced by #6.

Why is it that the former USSR is seeking more personal freedom, and the US
is trying to take more and more away? Not just Second Amendment rights, but
Fourth Amendment rights to? Soon we will all have to move to Former COMBLOC
countries to live free.
-- 
Mike Tighe, (214) 497-4206
tighe@convex.com