From: jrh@mustang.dell.com (Randy Howard)
Subject: Re: Talk Show Poll Results
Organization: Dell Computer Co
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 06:18:23 GMT

jkapson@ad-29.Naitc.Com (John Kapson) writes:

>For part of an unrelated segment, the head of the Chicago Fraternal
>Order of Police was present and he voiced the opinion that [PARAPHRASING]
>"only retired police officers should have that option" stating that
>"only cops would have the skill and judgement to carry responsibly"

I know this may spark a flame-fest, please finish it before you drop a nuke.  

The above statement strikes me a bit wierd, mainly because a lot of 
"active" i.e. still employed police officers that I have encountered at the
gun ranges appear to not even be fit to carry.  I realize that there are vast
numbers of law enforcement officers that are excellent marksman, and quite
responsible with firearms.  There are, IMHO, a noticeable number of these
folk that possess one or more of the following traits:

a) Never fire their gun except when required by whatever training guidelines 
   their department requires.  

b) Take their carry gun out to the range once a year, and fail to hit diddly,
   so poor sometimes as to make me wonder how they could hope to stop a 
   well-trained perpetrator who was returning fire.  I've even seen them
   at times bring friends along in order to "train" them in how to use a 
   handgun properly -- and been thoroughly disgusted at how they went about it
   and the results of said training.

c) Are thoroughly convinced that they bear a striking resemblance to Clint
   Eastwood, and have a decidedly arrogant attitude about their importance and
   that of the weapon they carry.  

This type of police officer is to the best of my knowledge a rarity, but you
do come across them from time to time and it is frightening.  One could make
the leap that if a policeman lives to retirement, there's a decent chance that
he is not one of the above anyway.  If so retired police officers may be very 
good examples of responsible concealed carry permit holders.  I also believe
that there are a large number of very responsible firearms owners that are
at least as qualified, if not more than police officers.  I suspect that a 
large number of them are much more experienced with firearms in general,
thought the police have a decided edge as far as simply the issue of "carry",
and the amount of experience in that area since the carry them every day.

I for one, would not object at all to very stringent requirements to obtain 
one of these permits.  IMHO, the more training is required, the safer we will 
all be, and the more likely the issuance of them will lead to reduced crime.  
If I were a criminal, I would be much more wary of a well-trained population
carrying weapons than a greater percentage of lesser-trained carrying 
citizens.  Texas doesn't have carry permits (yet), although I understand it
will go to the legislature this year.  I hope it passes, and that they make
the requirements such that police officers are confident in the qualifications
of those that obtain them. 

-- 
Randy Howard            _o	    @'s: jrh@dell.com
Dell Computer Corp.     \<,	    !'s: ...!uunet!dellunix!jrh
______________________()/ ()______________________________________________

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, 
hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
-- H. L. Mencken
From: bressler@iftccu.ca.boeing.com (Rick Bressler)
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 17:18:13 GMT
Subject: Re: Stolen Guns (Was: Dressed for Rape)
Organization: Boeing Commercial Airplane Group