Gun-toting US society in deep trouble (posted in 11/2002)

nzHerald.co.nz ^ | November 2, 2002

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

My fellow international writers and I, gathered here at the University of Iowa, are to take part in a public panel, each making a brief presentation and then all of us discussing the "Images of America" we will take away from our stay in the United States.

Tricky business for me. I've been coming here fairly regularly for 30 years and right now the US seems to me to be more deeply in trouble as a society than at any time since the McCarthyism days of the 1950s.

Even during the Vietnam War, a sense that young people would redeem the nation was pervasive.

The two major symptoms of decay are: Politically the country is awash with money intent on compromising people and hiring votes at any level; and socially the nation is awash with guns.

There is a point at which the trajectories of money and guns come together in the form of the intimidatory National Rifle Association lobby.

So if I were an American citizen at this moment I would be ashamed of my country.

But before I elaborate on that, let me say sincerely that my experiences here are a daily reminder that at a personal level I'm among the politest, kindest and most generous people in the world, people whose creative drive, earnest intelligence and determination to do the right thing in their particular communities are unrelenting. It's as though life is lived at two levels, as, indeed, it always is in every country.

And, anyway, I can remember feeling ashamed of New Zealand in 1981 when our Government decided that the freedom to play international sport was more important than the freedom of black South Africans from degradation, imprisonment, torture and even murder by security forces.

Seriously misguided leadership in that case meant our people fought one another in the streets to right serious wrongs.

So I was heartened to read this week that the New Zealand police are to prosecute the farmer for shooting at thieves on his property but a concomitant of this is that those caught allegedly invading the farmer's property to steal should receive very heavy jail sentences.

Guns are the Black Death of the United States and yet, if it weren't for the tragic fact that people are dying daily, the debate over gun control would be entirely risible.

As a serial sniper stalked the urban area around Washington DC, the executive director of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LePierre (why does that name sound so right?), came out with this fall-about statement:

"With every tragedy that involves firearms, whether it's a post office shooting or a school shooting, you have an opportunistic attempt by gun control groups and some politicians to never miss a chance to trade on a tragedy and politicise the debate."

He said that apparently without even a wry snigger.

Tracing the origins of the particular gun confiscated from the sniper suspects after their arrest is proving difficult because it seems the dealers records are in disarray. The rifle is a XM-15, a civilian version of the standard American military rifle, the M-16.

When the Clinton Administration banned the sale of assault weapons, the manufacturer of the suspected XM-15 was selling 1500 guns a year.

The year after the ban was imposed, making the M-16 unavailable, the XM-15 sold nearly 30,000 and last year's sales, at about US$800 ($NZ1655) each, totalled 50,000.

It is reported also that no accurate statistics are available on the number of sniper rifles being manufactured or sold in the US. And some people have the gall to want to make this a political issue.

The next piece of comedy came from Charlton Heston, an old clown whose folly is compounded by the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Attending a National Rifle Association rally, he hoisted a flintlock over his head and said to a cheering crowd: "From my cold dead hands."

This apparently is the signature statement of Heston, who is "credited" by one writer with bridging a rift between divisive factions in the NRA when he became president in 1998 and "propelling the gun lobby into the top echelons of populist American crusades".

What you may infer from the "cold dead hands" catchcry is that Heston and his associates would rather die than have their right to own guns that are primarily designed to kill people taken from them.

This ridiculous old celluloid Ben Hur has helped to make the gun a symbol of freedom and machismo to many of his fellow citizens, whereas it is almost always the weapon of control and cowardice.

This was demonstrated a few days later when what is becoming a familiar national ritual was played out. An aggressive, disgruntled, failing student at an American nursing school shot three of his teachers and then himself.

I guess the suicide is the ultimate drop-out usually deserving pity, but nothing matches the rank cowardice of the man who cuts down three unarmed women en route.

Americans have two major tasks ahead: to curb the rampant greed that is eroding its corporate and political ethical base; and to attempt, even at this late stage, to control the contagion of firearms and to modify the widespread belief that guns maketh the man.

[xm177e2]

LePierre (why does that name sound so right?)

you tell me... it's misspelled.

[xm177e2]

The year after the ban was imposed, making the M-16 unavailable

1) The name is "M16," not "M-16" (I'm guilty of that myself sometimes on FR when I post quickly, but I would never put that in a print article)

2) The guns in question aren't M16s, they're AR-15s.

3) they are still available, people can buy used AR-15s from other people who owned them since before the ban (not in some states like California)

This guy really knows his facts about gun control, doesn't he?

[LibWhacker]

Thank God this nitwit can't vote here . . . Can he?

[billybudd]

This is the best "commentary" on US society that this retard can muster up? OMG the US is awash in guns and money!! Duh, that's exactly what it was for the past 200 years. And look how the US has "fallen" over that period of time. Note to retard who wrote this article: get a job you're actually good at.

[You Dirty Rats]

If he was a student he could probably vote twice.

[xm177e2]

What you may infer from the "cold dead hands" catchcry is that Heston and his associates would rather die than have their right to own guns that are primarily designed to kill people taken from them.

What you may infer is that the author thinks you are an idiot, and thinks he needs to talk down to you, and explain to you something as clear and obvious as the meaning of "FROM MY COLD, DEAD HANDS." You are like a little child, you cannot be trusted to listen to Heston because you might not understand what he means, and you definitely can't be trusted with a gun!

This ridiculous old celluloid Ben Hur has helped to make the gun a symbol of freedom and machismo to many of his fellow citizens, whereas it is almost always the weapon of control and cowardice.

Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Samuel Adams, etc. etc. etc. did that for us, Charleton Heston is just reminding people.

[xm177e2]

OMG the US is awash in guns and money!!

Hooray!!!

[Teacher317]

The two major symptoms of decay are: Politically the country is awash with money intent on compromising people and hiring votes at any level; and socially the nation is awash with guns.

What a moron. America has always been awash with guns, and we became the most secure and most powerful nation on earth. It would have been suicide to NOT own a gun outside of the cities for the first 160 years of our history. I'd be willing to bet that the ratio of private guns-to-population is the lowest it has ever been. Even if his point were correct, that guns ARE exceedingly and dangerously prevalent, exactly HOW is that a symptom of decay? What nation or culture has crumbled during a time of increased possession of weapons by the citizenry? He offers no proof whatsoever (typical for a Leftist).

Americans have two major tasks ahead: to curb the rampant greed that is eroding its corporate and political ethical base; and to attempt, even at this late stage, to control the contagion of firearms and to modify the widespread belief that guns maketh the man.

"Control the contagion of firearms"... control the guns... gun control... just look at every instance of attempted genocide on Earth since 1800. In EVERY case, gun control was a precursor. No thanks.

Can you imagine just how vicious a popular American Leftist movement will become when the guns are removed? Imagine the inner-city thugs from Milwaukee in control of social policy enforcement. That is PRECISELY what will happen. Heck, the Leftists' venom already causes my newspapers to decay before I get done reading them.

[litehaus]

Nah....The dems aren't sending those "official forms" out any more as they did in Kalifornicate years ago....

[muawiyah]

One might suppose he can't vote here, but why did INS let him in?

He should be back in his own country doing something about the horrendous violent-crime rate that has spiraled out of control.

Better yet, he should be on the streets at night stopping criminals barehanded - as soon as possible too!

[Mad Dawgg]

Americans have two major tasks ahead: to curb the rampant greed that is eroding its corporate and political ethical base; and to attempt, even at this late stage, to control the contagion of firearms and to modify the widespread belief that guns maketh the man. 1. Get rid of the Liberals in congress.

and 2. Reaffirm the Constitution by doing away with all the Liberal-Feel-good programs that waste money and enslave the citizens.

(Oh yea and give the America Haters all one way tickets to New Zealand!)

[Godebert]

The author of this drivel is a panty wearing leftist.

[philetus]

3.6 million people
700,000 to 1,000,000 guns (estimated)

SHUT THE F**K UP



NEW ZEALAND

OVERVIEW

Population: 3.6 million

Per Capita GDP: US$15 850

Number of Households: 1.2 million

Average number per household: 2.9

Urban Population: 86%

Governance:

Parliamentary democracy, member of the Commonwealth.
Unitary state; little or no territorial division of powers.
Mixed-member proportional representation electoral system.
FIREARM OWNERSHIP

Percentage of Households with at least one firearm: 20% (1)

Estimated Number of Firearms: 700,000 – 1,000,000 (2)

Types of Firearms: 760,000 rifles and shotguns; 20,000 military style semi-automatics. (2)

Gun Imports: 10,000 – 15,000/year (2)

Estimated Number of Illegal Guns: 10,000 – 25,000 (2)

Licensed Shooters: 210,000; 3,000 licensed handgun owners (2)

Purposes of Lawful Firearms Ownership: Rates of firearms ownership remain relatively higher in rural areas for purposes of hunting and pest control. (1)

The New Zealand Police are routinely unarmed, with a limited number of specialized units (airport security, VIP protection, etc., constituting roughly 1-2% of the force) armed during the course of regular duty. (13)



FIREARM DEATH, INJURY AND CRIME (1)

In 1995, 12 % (229) of the 1,962 total robberies involved a firearm. Aggravated robberies involving firearms increased by over 50% in the period 1990 to 1995. (5)

Between 1976 and 1989, guns were used in almost 22% of domestic killings. (4)



TYPES/SOURCES OF FIREARMS WHICH ARE MISUSED

The .22 caliber rifle remains the most commonly used type or class of firearm in the commission of gun homicides, and featured prominently in both the Dunedin and Aramoana incidents, two of New Zealand’s worst mass shootings.(6)

Rifles and shotguns are involved in 80%-95% of New Zealand gun deaths. (4) Of all victims of gun homicide in New Zealand in the years 1992-1994, over half (52.5%) were shot by a licensed gun owner. (7) Three separate studies support the proposition that the majority of those who use firearms in family violence are licensed shooters (2). In general, however, crime with registered firearms is rare.

In a survey of New Zealand inmates convicted of firearm offences, the use of shortened long guns was cited as the weapon of preference for criminal activity due to their ease of concealment, relative low cost and high firepower. Almost a third (28%) reported that the weapon used in their crime had been stolen by the offenders themselves, and usually only held for brief periods. Although hard numbers are as yet unavailable, recent estimates based on analysis of police files place the number of firearms thefts at between 1,000 and 1,500 per annum. (8) A Police Association survey of 398 stolen guns found that nearly a quarter of the weapons were later used in family violence, holdups, and homicides. (9)

Illegal imports are thought to be a fairly insignificant proportion of firearms in New Zealand, but may number as high as 25,000. (2)

The results of regular arms amnesties undertaken by the New Zealand Police tend to support concerns regarding ‘grey’ and illegal weapons. In 1993 alone, amnesties yielded over 3,000 illegal weapons, including 159 semi-automatic assault rifles. (2)



DOMESTIC FIREARM LEGISLATION (1) (10) (11)

Division of Powers: National government holds sole competence over the key dimensions of firearm regulation, from licensing of ownership to the regulation of foreign imports and domestic manufacture of weapons. Immediate discretion in granting and revocation of licenses rests with the Commissioner of Police.

Prohibited Firearms: New Zealand Police must approve all importation of firearms, and periodically prohibit certain types and categories of weapons. Each individual import license for a handgun must be approved for each single specified private purchaser by police in advance of importation. Police control over pistols and revolvers is particularly stringent.


Licensing Requirements: Prior to 1983, licenses were granted for life. Since 1992, licensure is required of every civilian in possession of a firearm, and renewable every ten years. Acquisition requirements and regulations include a background check, training certification, and references. The primary reference must come from the applicant’s current of immediate past spouse. This extends to conducting overseas interviews for absent past spouses. Prohibitions and restrictions on ownership exist on the basis of age, criminal record, history of psychiatric disorder and a record of assault or other violence.

Registration Requirements: Sporting long-guns, the bulk of New Zealand’s guns, are not registered, while military-style semi-automatic rifles, handguns, and restricted weapons (such as full automatic weapons) are individually registered on the basis of special endorsements.

Storage Requirements: Applicants for acquisition must propose a means of safe storage as part of the purchase process. Standing owners are also subject to regulations regarding the safe storage of weapons and ammunition, as well as transport and carrying of firearms. Police are required to physically inspect the on-site storage provided by all new and standing owners.

Training Requirements: Applicants must satisfy the police of adequate training in safe use via a formal course of training and theoretical test in gun-safety. The examination is usually conducted in a police station after the applicant attends a lecture. Applicants for handguns receive at least six months of practical training via their parent pistol club before it will support their application.

Penalties: Illegal importation of a firearm is punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a $2,000 fine. Illegally imported firearms may be seized.

Illegal possession (without license or proper registration certificate) is punishable by up to three years of imprisonment or a $4,000 fine, as is illegal supply of weaponry.

Those possessing military-style assault weapons without the requisite special endorsements on their firearms license are subject to a fine of $4,000, three years imprisonment, and the potential forfeiture of the firearm.

Those who fail to comply within six-months if called in by the Commissioner of Police for review and renewal of their license are subject to immediate revocation.

Registration: A national computerized system covering both handguns and long guns does exist, but about 97% of guns remain unregistered. By 1995, only half of those called up for relicensure had complied (10). 1999 police figures indicate that 70,000 (30%) of gun owners have failed to comply with the 1992 owner-relicensing laws. (11)

The Thorp Report (1997) concluded that many of the logistical and administrative issues animating the registration relaxations included in the 1983 Arms Act have disappeared or abated, and should "…no longer present compelling obstacles in 1997." (2)

In the wake of concerns regarding the administrative and logistical burden placed on the New Zealand Police by the 1992 owner-relicensing laws, the 1999 Firearms Authority Bill advocates the establishment of an independent firearms authority to oversee day-to-day monitoring and processing of applications for licensure. (11)



IMPORT/EXPORT/TRANSFERS CONTROLS (1)

The import, export, and domestic movement of all handguns is regulated and restricted under the current Arms Act. Some classes and categories of long guns are also subject to import, export and transfer controls.

Domestic manufacture is also restricted, though currently no industrial-scale weapons producers operate in the country.

PUBLIC OPINION

TV3/CM Research Poll (1999) of 1,000 eligible New Zealand voters, found that 91% favored universal registration of firearms, 77% wanted gun laws tightened, and 75% supported a ban on semi-automatic weapons.



References

1.) United Nations International Study on Firearms Regulation. New York (1998), Table 2.7.

2.) T.M. Thorp, Review of Firearms Control in New Zealand: Summary and Conclusions. (June, 1997), p.3.

3) Hon. Clem Simich, NZ Minister of Police, Press Release, Office of the Minister of Police, Wellington, 13 January 1999.

4.) National Coalition for Gun Control (AUS), Rational Firearm Regulation: Submission to the Review of Firearms Control in New Zealand. NCGC: Sydney, Aus. (24 January 1997), p. 6.

5) R. Thomas. "Needed: Stricter Control of Firearms – Now" in Readers Digest (NZ), v. 150, n. 898 (February 1997), p. 16.

6) P. Alpers. "Harmless" .22-Calibre Rabbit Rifles Kill More People Than Any Other Type of Gun. Auckland, 1996.

7) Alpers, Philip and B. Morgan. Firearm Homicide in New Zealand: Victims, Perpetrators, and their Weapons, 1992-1994. National Conference of the Public Health Association of NZ. Knox College, Dunedin, June 1995.

8) Alpers, Philip and R. Walters. Firearms Theft in New Zealand: Lessons for Crime and Injury Prevention. Australia/New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 1998; 31: 1: pp. 85-95.

9) Alpers, Philip. Locking up Guns: foiling thieves, children and the momentarily suicidal. NZ Police Association. Wellington, March 1996.

10) W.K. Hastings, "International Perspectives on Gun Control", in New York Law School Journal of International and Comparative Law v. 15, n. 2-3 (1995), p. 271.

11) W. Cukier, "Firearms Regulation: Canada in the International Context", in Chronic Diseases in Canada, v. 19, n. 1 (1998), p. 31.

12) Alpers, Philip. "MP’s Finally Get to Vote on Gun Control" in The Dominion, 17 June 1999.

13) Personal communication with Philip Alpers, September 2001.

[Just another Joe]

What you may infer from the "cold dead hands" catchcry is that Heston and his associates would rather die than have their right to own guns that are primarily designed to kill people taken from them.

That's basically what I would infer with one small change.

What you may infer from the "cold dead hands" catchcry is that Heston and his associates would rather die than have their right to own guns that are primarily designed to kill people taken from them protect myself, my family, and my home.

[toddst]

Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Samuel Adams, etc. etc. etc. did that for us, Charleton Heston is just reminding people.

Remember, this writer is from New Zealand where guns are seriously restricted. Another country I would very much like to visit but won't if I must do so unarmed.

[Freedom2specul8]

My Gosh..these idiots do NOT want to save lives at all.. They are for empowering predators...internationally. Sickos

[Jonathon Spectre]

Guns are the Black Death of the United States

Ridiculous, hyperbolic exaggeration on a scale heretofore-unknown in the universe is the Black Death of a mediocre leftist writer.

[William Tell]

From the article: "...nothing matches the rank cowardice of the man who cuts down three unarmed women ..."

Yes. There should be a law against unarmed women since it leads to mass murder of this kind.

[Timm]

We're being attacked by Islamic nut jobs. We're under intellectual attack from the slumping Europeans, who are interested in doing nothing more than absorbing our wealth into their bloated welfare states.

But the two biggest problems here are (1) that conservatives spend money on political speech, and (2) private citizens own guns.

Hilarious.

What is with all these feckless f*ckers who are our supposed allies? Well, all right, NZ is more of a neutral country than, say, Oz, but don't they have any issues of their own to deal with, down there off the coast of Antarctica, rather than complaining about the NRA?