Seeing Crime Guns Destroyed Gives Solace to Victims' Families

NY Times ^ | January 4, 2006 | PAM BELLUCK

[Sender]

It really does look like a public execution, complete with the black-hooded executioner.

[raybbr]

Although some police departments destroy guns, often by melting them down, others, usually smaller departments, still sell them.

"You got to use every penny you can get," said Roberto Fulgueira, the police chief in Sweetwater, Fla., who last year traded in his officers' old Glocks and some crime guns, saying he needed about $15,000 for new Glocks for his 65 officers.

With the money, he said, "I bought all my men guns, I bought bulletproof vests, and I still have a credit."

I lib land it's better to hold funeral for a gun rather than use to the peace officer's advantage.

[American in Israel]

I bet in most cases the killer walks free and the gun is executed. I wonder what solace can be found in that foolishness.

[Mane in Virginia]

Here in Virginia you have to buy one handgun a month. It's the law

If you have a conceiled carry permit or a 03 FFL you may buy as many as you like. (or in my case have money for)

Sure was a nice piece to be cut up like that...

[coloradan]

Do the survivors then get all touchy-feely and feel "closure" when the perpetrator of the crime is released on parole after serving one month of a 30 year sentence?

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

Nah, it makes some psychological sense. This isn't really a "gun control" issue. It is just a catharsis of sorts. Although it is a stupid thing to destroy an inanimate object, you might have a different opinion if we were talking about flag burning. It is symbolic and therefore its destruction has meaning.

Unfortunately it is the gun control crusaders who probably wanted the law passed. I sure hope they recycle the scrap metal.

[seemoAR]

I have one in 44Mag.It would scare the_______ out of me if it were ever pointed in my direction. It has been a pretty good friend so far. It never sleeps and is always ready if I should need it. I have to keep an eye on it and so far it hasn't got loose and went on a shooting rampage.

[absolootezer0]

its because rugers are built so if you drop them, they don't fall into a million pieces like a high point or a jennings.

that gun seems odd for a murder weapon tho. why would anyone use a huge, single action revolver?

[Travis McGee]

Happy New Year to you to!

[Little Ray]

Gee, if seeing the guns destroyed helps 'em, what would seein' their loved ones' murderers impaled do for 'em?

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I suggest we start a midnight basketball program for disadvantaged Rugers so we can get them off the street and into a program for their own good.

No Ruger is going to out jacking Mercedes or shooting up copper jacketed heroin if he's shooting hoops.

[DocH]

Liberals HATE guns.

This is obviously a HATE crime (cutting up an inanimate object).

[jackieaxe]

This is like boiling a pot of water until it's fully evaporated because your son drowned. Also, did anyone else notice the observers were not wearing safety glasses.

What a load of cr@p this is.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Here's a simpler small government liberarian position:

Add to the punishment for murder a provision that the murder weapon becomes part of the estate of the victim, at the option of the victim's heirs.

Then, the heirs can decide whether to sell or destroy the gun.

The most absurd premise in this and most crimes is that the government (police) somehow gains a property interest in crime evidence.

[wardaddy]

because it was reliable?

[OldPossum]

Do they sing "Kumbaya" in the background?

[OldPossum]

I wonder if at some point they'll be having a day for people to destroy knives used in stabbings, or baseball bats used in clubbings.

Let's don't stop there. What about cutting up those cars that ran over someone? Don't they deserve the same fate?

[jamesm51]

You made that up out of thin air. No mention was made of the serial numbers being filed off in the article.

There's probably a lot of other things not mentioned in that article, too.

[PsyOp]

Whoever dreamed up this plan is a jerk.

The person who dreamed this up is a gun-grabber who only wants to ratchet up the emotions of the people to make his/her next piece of anti-gun legislation that much more palatable. And who, I might add, probably does not give a rats arse about the victims.

So you're right, he/she a jerk, at the very least.

[PsyOp]

For anyone who has not read it, Mathew Bracken's book, ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, is a must read. It is very well written. Furthermore, Bracken is a fellow Freeper.

If you are interested in gun issues you should read this book.

You may also want to check this link. The Second Amendment