Posted on 04/27/2007 9:22:47 AM PDT by Mobile Vulgus
Since the VT shootings in Blacksburg, Virginia, we have seen all manner of wild-eyed, anti-gunners come out of the woodwork to cynically use this crime as a chance to beat their gun grabbing drums. But, proposing that we send government Stormtroopers to smash down the doors of every home with a gun in it to confiscate their Constitutionally legal firearms is a step I haven't seen in a purportedly responsible newspaper. That is, until the Toledo Blade published a proposal for taking away our right to self-protection that included "Special squads of police" with unlimited powers to confiscate all guns. A hit squad that would traipse about the country invading homes at will and accosting peaceful citizens everywhere.
The author of this tyrannical proposal is Dan Simpson, who is described as "a retired Ambassador" and a "member of the editorial boards of The Blade and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. " He is a former US Ambassador to various African states... which can easily be read to mean one who thinks government knows best, darn the citizen's rights, apparently.
The piece that oozes from his pen seems overly long, the first half being an attempt by this anti-gun advocate to make it seem as if he really loves guns. After all, he played Cowboys and Indians as a kid and also had a Red Ryder BB gun. Then, later in life, carried a .357 as a "diplomat". But after the hard to believe disclaimers are dispensed with, Simpson launches into his gun banning proposal.
Now, how would one disarm the American population? First of all, federal or state laws would need to make it a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine and one year in prison per weapon to possess a firearm. The population would then be given three months to turn in their guns, without penalty.There is a major problem legally with this supposed diplomat's plans. He never once mentions that the 2nd Amendment is a Constitutional right of the people to keep and bear arms. His proposal is completely illegal according to the Constitution of the USA unless a Constitutional Convention is called to consider amending the law of the land. One would think that an "Ambassador" would be interested in little things like following the law... but apparently not Mr. Simpson.
Worse, and as mentioned, he wants to form a veritable Stormtrooper army that will maraud throughout the country.
The disarmament process would begin after the initial three-month amnesty. Special squads of police would be formed and trained to carry out the work. Then, on a random basis to permit no advance warning, city blocks and stretches of suburban and rural areas would be cordoned off and searches carried out in every business, dwelling, and empty building. All firearms would be seized. The owners of weapons found in the searches would be prosecuted: $1,000 and one year in prison for each firearm.Perhaps Mr. Simpson became too used to the despotic, all powerful leaders in the failed African states to which he was sent as Ambassador and their style of autocratic government made him envious. But whatever the case, Simpson truly has no grasp of the country in which he lives because he doesn't mention any of it. No mention of the Constitution, our history, world history and the despots who ruled with an iron fist over an unarmed populace, or the principles upon which this country was founded make even a tiny appearance in his piece. Just his desire to hand all power to his hand picked goon squad who will roam about the country attacking law abiding citizens.
... On the streets it would be a question of stop-and-search of anyone, even grandma with her walker, with the same penalties for "carrying."
The hit squad Simpson envisions isn't his only anti-gun measure, of course.
He proposes gun dealers still be "allowed" to sell guns but only to museums. He thinks hunters should still be allowed their gun but he has created his own ideas of a classified "hunting weapon" that will have to be locked up with the police except during "hunting season" -- a vague notion in Simpson's mind obviously. After all, "hunting seasons" are different all over the place and allow for hunting different types of game all year long. Obviously Simpson has no clue of what "hunting season" really means. His idea would necessitate a Federal Hunting law, and would take more power from the various states.
Speaking of hunters, Simpson appears to imagine that all hunters are mass murderers just waiting for their chance to kill all around them, too. But, that their murdering rampages might be a "lesser sort of issue."
There could conceivably also be a rash of score-settling during hunting season as people drew out their weapons, ostensibly to shoot squirrels and deer, and began eliminating various of their perceived two-footed enemies. Given the general nature of hunting weapons and the fact that such killings are frequently time-sensitive, that seems a lesser sort of issue.Simpson also seems to imagine that Mexico and Canada would rush into the gun selling business once we illegally outlaw them and send our Stormtrooping armies throughout the country to confiscate US citizen's firearms.
America's long land and sea borders present another kind of problem. It is easy to imagine mega-gun dealerships installing themselves in Mexico, and perhaps in more remote parts of the Canadian border area, to funnel guns into the United States. That would constitute a problem for American immigration authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard, but not an insurmountable one over time.Yet, both Mexico and Canada have stricter gun laws than do we, so how he imagines that they would suddenly both become the virtual WalMart of guns is hard to imagine.
All in all, Simpson has done nothing but reveal that he thinks he is smarter than everyone around him and that only HE should be allowed to make all the rules. He also imagines himself smarter than the Founders as well as more able than the Supreme Court to adjudicate what should be allowable under the US Constitution.
It is no wonder that this man doesn't understand America, he seems quite unlike one.
I don't believe there would be any government officials left after 2 months to turn the guns into.
No matter how good security is, not even the Secret Service can keep up a 1000 yrd security cordon around the clock. Heck, they'd be doing pretty good to set up a good 500 yrd cordon. That's a lot of security personnel to field for every responsible rep, senator, judge, and governor.
If even a fraction of the 80 million gun owners went to war with the US government, not even the full force of the active duty military would save them...
More United States citizens apply for a deer hunting license each fall than the sum of all the personnel of all the armies of all the countries of the world combined.
And there's plenty of us who don't figure into those numbers because we don't hunt deer any more.
Those "Special Squads" would be an endangered species within the first week. If they didn't get shot by the homeowner while knocking down his door, they'd get shot by his neighbors across the street, or they'd get hanged on a lamp post where their final view was of their dead family, their burnt-to-the-ground house, and their salted property.
I propose Boston Harbor as the appropriate resting place for the jack-booted fascist thugs who vote for and/or carry out the orders.
Lop the head off the snake and it will stop trying to bite you.
He fits in well with the UN support groups.
he'd end dangling off a tree or lightpole by his neck
Had a conversation with a few cops many years ago. Over a couple beers a friend asked if or when such a order went out to seize all firearms, would they do it?
To a man, they all said that they would. They would feel bad about it, but they would as it was their job.
My friend then said “Send only single guys when you come for mine.” and walked out. Many, many, cops in this nation do not like the idea of armed civilians.
“The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same.” —Stendhal
I bet good odds that the UN buildings wouldn’t survive 48 hours after this announcement.
See pic above.
What city were you in at the time?
Now there’s a “happy thought” for the day. :-)
If you are desirous to counteract a design pregnant with misery and ruin, then arm yourselves; for in a firm, imposing and dignified attitude, will consist your own security and that of your families-To arms, then to arms. "Mentor," Tench Coxe. AURORA (Phila.), May 21, 1799
I was in a small city in rural Nebraska. The cops in question were people I had known most of my life. Imagine the mindset in the more liberal areas.
Double ditto that. Fortifications make easy targets like the French Maginot(sp)line. Mobility is the only option.
“mr.” simpson, I will die to remain free. Are you as dedicated to enslaving us?
If the answer is no, then don’t start pushing because you will surely not enjoy the result when we push back.
G_d gives me my rights, no man will ever take G_d’s gifts from me.
Walter T, Huston wrote the article exposing the Clintonista gun grabber. The twit advocating trying to take my guns is someone else. He’s the one you should be angry at.
Michael Frazier
Bump.
Your friend was informed correctly, at as far as California cops.
We had a crooked Sheriff in California (google Floyd Tidwell) he77, everyone knew it, but few would take a stand. I mean the crooked sheriff wasn't even bashful about issuing CCW and special deputy badges to major cocaine dealers.
Anyone note it a was a California Highway Patrol officers that struggled with that seasoned citizen to take her gun away during Katrina?
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