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.
Remember though, in there work cop see the worse side of the public. Many have little love for most of the citizens, because they have seen to much.
It is part of the mindset that goes with the territory.
It is scary, and I haven't looked at cops the same way since.
These were guys I grew up with, hunted with, and hung out with. They said that they would enforce that order with lethal force if required, and didn't see why it bothered me.
Can I vote for you?
Simpson further explained that these “Special Squads” have proven effective in the past and where previsously known as “Einsatzgruppen”.
That’s seriously clueless, right there.
Unless you are self employed, HOW?
If you are self employed, they'll grab you the very next quarter when you fail to pay your tax.
LMBO!!!
Nope more insidious. A lifer at the state department. The fifth column in the flesh.
http://www.globalsolutionspgh.org/unreformpanel.html
Heck I had a copy of that in grade school .8^) The idiot that is proposing this would have a hard time finding folks crazy enough to volunteer for the special squads after a week to ten days . But the effect on the Democrat party at the local & state level would be amazing ! Rat party leaders found hanging from trees ,street lights ,utility poles would really take the wind out of the sales of that party come the next election.
You are thinking in the correct direction . Make those that give the orders fear .
That was the founding fathers idea & it is also the most economical use of force .
Instead of going against a “special police squad” you go after those politicians who send the police squad & the party officials who got the politician elected they are the high value & poorly protected if protected at all targets that will cause the Rat party to be as coordinated as a headless chicken if they are taken out.
Not really.
Most folks would just comply.
Like the income tax - or gun registration in places like Illinois.
There'd be some protest, but most will not resist when they realize noone is going to help them or come to their aid.
FReeprs included, I am afraid.
After generations of government school brainwashing, the population will not resist, unless, at the same time, the government tries to confiscate all cell phones and i-Pods.
I think you missed something there.
Warner Todd Huston was calling the guy who was trying to grab the guns an idiot! The gun grabbing idea was put out by a Toledeo Blade writer named Dan Simpson.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.