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.
Hope their life insurance policies are paid up.
Death to all traitors!!
An Armed Citizen, Is A Safe Citizen!!
"They" would not live to see it ...
It sounds as if this individual learned a thing or two from spending so much time in African “republics.” I believe the dance he describes is the “Mugabe Mambo,” and look how well it worked in Zimbabwe.
Just sent my letter to the editor. Here it is; let’s see if it gets posted.
Herr Editor,
It was with great interest that I read the enlightened op-ed piece by Herr Simpson regarding the confiscation of firearms from the ignorant, unwashed masses. Herr Simpson’s brilliant ideas regarding the overturning of the Second and Fourth Amendments are truly inspiring. It is clear that he has learned well from his days in the Middle East at the feet of such political luminaries and fellow anti-gun advocates as Mr. Assad of Syria.
I believe with the proper propaganda machine, we will be able to pass laws that outlaw the ridiculous protections against unlawful search and seizure and the right to bear arms. By convincing the anti-intellectual masses that we are only trying to protect them from self-slaughter, they will rise up to help us overturn this outdated US Constitution and bring forth what we all truly desire – The Fourth Reich!
His ideas regarding the role of our police officers are awe-inspiring as well! I recently saw photos of some wonderful black uniforms worn by another group of “Special squad police” in the 1940’s, back in the Fatherland, and I think the skull on the cap set-off their Aryan blue eyes perfectly.
I am sure you will get some complaints from the pro-gun nuts saying that Herr Simpson is a fascist looney who believes in a tyrannical and omnipotent government that would trample the unalienable human rights of the American people. Just let them know that this could not possibly be true because he played with a Red Rider BB gun as a child and is a former ambassador, so he is obviously a brilliant and caring person who only wants the best for the masses; who, by the way, would not be able to get out of their own way without the help of those like him. Let them know that they should be down on their knees thanking God that we have people like Herr Simpson to solve these problems that, in their own stupidity and belief in supposed “freedoms”, they bring upon themselves!
Thank you and “Heil!”
They need to disarm the press by forcibly confiscating all of their printing presses, transmitters, and web servers. Then they could leave us gun owners alone!
That's about the level of disgusting, totalitarian tactics that I would expect to be advocated by a Clinton appointee.
Mr. Simpson was certainly a perfect Clinton appointee, and I imagine that if Senator Clinton were to win in 2008 that he would have a prominent place in her administration.
Gun owners should declare their homes “women’s health clinics” and therefore off-limits for federal enforcers.
*GAWP!*
If this guy is going to be so stupid as to suggest taking guns from the hands of law abiding citizens, then he gets bumper sticker replies.
... 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."
Is there any doubt that these leftists crave a Stalinist state?
If he thinks this could be done then it should be no problem to round up all the illegals and deport them. So much for the "It can't be done." mantra.
If he thinks this would work then there is no reason we can't do this in Iraq. So much for the "Military success in Iraq is not possible."
MOLON LAVE
Well, under that scenario, many of us 'old coots' would be looking at life in prison. I guess we'd have to create some job openings on the way out.
Unless this nitwit wants a second civil war here in the US, he'd best STFU.
Oh, I see. So he's not just some run-off-at-the-mouth former comedian pundit writing a shock-jock type column. He is someone that Hillary and other Dem pols accord high respect and would appoint to a position of great responsibility and authority.
Good to know.
MOLON LAVE
Mark my words. Unless and until we seriously propose and push for the repeal of the Gun control acts of 1986, 1968, 1934, and the others between or since, we will be stuck in the position of somehow "compromising" away our Rights to "be reasonable".
Enough. Repeal all the infringements on our Right.
For those who think that would apply to Felons or the mentally incompetent, etc., keep in mind that those who are Felons and who have been declared mentally incompetent have lost their Rights to vote, keep and bear arms, etc.
Nice to see someone who gets it.
L
I don't see it that way.
The "foot soldiers" have the responsibility to not honor illegal orders, whether in a military or civillian contest.
Any who participated in a confiscation raid under this type of legislation would have failed in that duty to the selfsame Constitution they swore to uphold. If they refuse to participate, OK, otherwise, ...well, to paraphrase, 'God would know His own'.
Otherwise, there would be on end to this once it had begun.
Should read "no end". My bad.
I am not generally advocating any violence between police and citizen under present rules.
I know local law enforcement folks, I like many of these people, an I am sure most would NOT participate, which is why there would be units formed and deployed in other areas of the country where there were no personal ties.
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