Posted on 04/14/2003 2:20:45 PM PDT by conservativefromGa
Memo from handgun control inc circa 1994
Constitution News Keywords: 2ND AMENDMENT GUNS HAND GUN CONTROL INC Source: TALK.POLITICS.GUNS Usenet newsgroup. Published: 12/26/1994 Author: unknown Posted on 06/08/2000 21:57:09 PDT by whole truth123 HANDGUN CONTROL ONE MILLION STRONG...working to keep handguns out of the wrong hands.
HANDGUN CONTROL, INC. National Headquarters 1225 EYE ST., N.W. Suite 1100 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005 (202) 898-0792 Western Region Office 10951 WEST PICO BLVD. ROOM 204 LOS ANGELES, CA 90064 (310) 446-0056
Distribution list: cc: Richard Aborn David Birenbaum Lee Fisher Larry Lowenstein John Phillips Helen Raiser Maurice Rosenblatt Jeanne Shields Odile Stern N.T. Shields Sarah Brady Stanley E. Foster John Hechinger Edward O. Welles Charles J. Orasin Sandy Cooney Lois Hess Sandy Cooney Amy Weitz
Stamped "Received Signed 12/30/93" CONFIDENTIAL! NOT FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION Notes and Minutes from Meeting of Friday, December 17 1993 Rough Draft Proposal for Internal Memo and Five Year Plan
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White House Meetings: It was decided to forward the following to the national office for reference. A series of brainstorming meetings will be held at the White House through Winter 1994. All suggestions should be collated and delivered to our policy team by them.
Fundraisers: A series of fundraisers should be organized for local political allies through the spring of 1994, the details will be outlined in an attached memo. We should have a stronger presence at Anna Eshoo's fund raiser in early January.
Press Releases: A subcommittee on media and public affairs assembled a list of press releases and studies which can be timed to one released to the media per day, in order to fully maintain the high profile of the gun control issue. We don't want to lose the momentum initiated by the massacre in Long Island, however, many local news organizations have been very active in keeping the gun control issue resolutely in view, without any assistance from us. Be sure to call the various station managers and news services to express your thanks.
D-Day is in January 1994: This month will be crucial to swaying votes for Sen. Feinstein's Assault Weapon Ban. Once this passes, we will see the beginning of a landslide which the NRA thugs will not be able to stop, or their few pawns in Congress be able to filibuster.
Thanking our friends: A subcommittee will draft a letter of support to Rep. Charles Schumer and offer additional materials that we have collated for his use in testimony and press conferences. A special press conference was proposed in order to thank various State politicians for their support for stricter gun control. The subcommittee urged HCI members to maintain the current high visibility of the gun control issue and remember to praise President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno for their political courage for standing up to the old boy network of the Gun Lobby. Special praise to Senator Diane Feinstein was mentioned for her courage in standing up to the ever diminishing number of gun crazy extremists who are actually pushing to make our society a killing field.
WHAT IS PENDING NOW AND CAN BE LAW IN 1994
Ban of all clips holding over 6 bullets. Ban on all semiautos which can fire more than 6 bullets without reloading. Ban of possession of parts to convert arms into military configuration. Ban on all pump shotguns capable of being converted to more than 5 shots without reloading. Banning of all machine guns, destructive devices, short shotguns/rifles assault weapons, Saturday Night Specials and Non-Sporting Ammunition. Arsenal Licensing (for possession of multiple guns and large amounts of ammunition) Elimination of the Department of Civil Marksmanship, long considered a sacred cow and a dinosaur from the Cold War years (Thank you Mr.Clinton!!!). Ban on possession of a firearm within a home located within 1000 feet of a schoolyard. Ban on all realistic replicas/toy guns or non-firearms capable of being rendered realistic. The right of victims of gun violence to sue manufacturers and dealers to be affirmed and perhaps, aided with money from government programs. Taxes on ammo, Dealers licenses & guns to offset the medical costs to society. and... The eventual ban of all semi-automatics (regardless of when made or caliber). WHAT WAS ONLY A DREAM TEN YEARS AGO CAN BE REALITY AS EARLY AS THIS YEAR! ! !
After the meeting, the following ideas were the result of a brainstorming session to guide the focus of gun control initiatives over the next five years. These may not be politically feasible ideas for 1994, but we are confident that with continued pressure we can achieve most if not all of these goals within the next five years. The following list is condensed from our meeting in which we considered the best ideas for public safety expansion. The time is right for action.
FIVE YEAR PLAN:
LICENSES:
1. National Licensing of all Handgun purchases This is at the top of our list, however, the political climate may be right to initiate this step immediately. Please refer to our memo outlining our ideas on how this should be executed.
2. License for Rifle and Shotguns We should take our cues from Great Britain. Strict licensing should be mandatory for all firearms, whether handguns or not.
3. State Licenses for ownership of firearms We want to take a workable idea from Great Britain, whereas, we should require the states to issue strict licenses for possession and require the licenses to be signed by at least three public officials - i.e. the police chief, the city attorney and the mayor, for example, to eliminate ownership by dangerous individuals. It is reasonable to require that all individuals must prove to the signers that they require a firearm. This should be attached to any legislation required purchasers to show a need for a firearm.
4. Reduction of the number of guns to require an Arsenal license. Right now the proposed Arsenal licenses which Senator Feinstein should be pushing for, requires an Arsenal License for those people who feel they need more than 20 guns and 1000 rounds of ammunition. We feel that number is too generous, due to the fact that any number of guns constitutes a grave threat to the safety of the community, we suggest strongly that this license limit be reduced to possession greater than 5 guns and 250 rounds of ammunition.
5. Arsenal License Fees It is not unreasonable to require a yearly fee for an Arsenal license to be at least $300.00, with a cap of $1000.00. The money collected can be used to defray the immense medical costs directly attributed to these deadly weapons.
6. Limits on Arsenal Licensing No Arsenal Licensing to be permitted in counties with populations of more than 200,000.
7. Requirement of Federally Approved Storage Safes for all guns We should follow Great Britain's lead on this. All licensed gun owners should be required to have a storage safe which meets minimum federally mandated requirements. This step would reduce the tragic accidents which claim the lives of tens of thousands of children a year and make it more difficult for burglars to steal the guns. Accidents which claim the lives of tens of thousands of children a year and make it more difficult for burglars to steal the guns.
8. Inspection License Another good revenue source would be mandatory inspection licensing of all safes. Each safe would be registered with a specific serial number and the serial numbers and types of weapons stored should be on file with federal and state authorities. Since unannounced inspectors can insure that all declared weapons are being properly stored, all safe licenses should have an additional yearly fee to offset the cost of these spot inspections.
Public Safety Regulations: 9. Ban on Manufacturing in counties with a population of more than 200,000. Guns are being built all the time and the number of licensed manufacturers are too great to justify the threat to public safety. This is a small step to reduce the number of these shops where anything, even machine guns, are being built every day.
10. Banning all military style firearms The Pending National ban on all Assault Weapons, based on a point system can be expanded to eventually cover any firearm with a remotely military appearance. We feel that this aggressive appearance appeals to the type of dangerous individuals who are a definite threat to public safety. We hope that this point system can eventually be expanded to high powered air guns and "paint ball" weapons, which can inflict great damage, and with a little effort can be converted to real guns.
11. Banning of any Machine Gun Parts or parts which can be used in a Machine Gun Periodicals such as The Shotgun News particularly cater to individuals which wish to build illegal machine guns. If Senator Feinstein's courageous section of the crime bill is successful in banning all machine guns, except for police and military, then there would be no legitimate need for Machine Gun parts except to build illegal weapons. 12. Banning the carrying a firearm anywhere but home or target range or in transit from one to the other We should institute a federal mandate to the states to strictly regulate the carrying of a firearm.
13. Banning replacement parts (manufacture, sale, possession, transfer, installation) except barrel, trigger group. Thousands of people are building illegal weapons every day. We can put a dent in this by banning parts and parts kits, except those items like the barrel and trigger group, which are most likely to wear out due to use.
14. Elimination of the Curio & Relic list A gun is a gun. Even an old gun can kill people. This is a loop hole in the federal law which has allowed thousands of dangerous weapons to be distributed unchecked. This regulation, if enacted, would automatically eliminate the need for a Curio or Relic collector's license. All handguns, rifles and shotguns would fall into the same category as their modem counterparts.
15. Control of Ammunition belonging to Certain Surplus Firearms Senator Moynihan has already proposed a tax or ban on .22 LR, 32 ACP, and 9mm ammo, however, it has been pointed out to us that there is an extreme proliferation of high powered surplus rifles (i.e. the Mosin-Nagant series and Enfield series) in which the wholesale prices are as low as $45-$75. We suggest that to control the proliferation of violence associated with the large numbers of these types of weapons entering this country that we ban the importation of their ammunition, 7.62x54R and .303 R surplus ammunition.
16. Eventual Ban of Handgun Possession This may be closer to reality than many of us think. Handguns are becoming increasingly unpopular and we think that within five years we can enact a total ban on possession at the federal level.
17. Banning of Any ammo that fits military guns (post 1945) With the proliferation of high powered weapons, including semi-automatics and automatics from World War II, we suggest following the lead of Mexico, by prohibiting the sale, manufacture, possession or transfer of any caliber fitting a military firearm in service with a recognized military force after 1945.
Ammunition and Explosives: 18. Banning of any quantity of smokeless powder or black powder which would constitute more than the equivalent of 100 rounds of ammunition With the bombing of the World Trade Center, it has been made clear that we must reinforce the above proposed regulation with this additional notation. It is arguable that no one has any real need to have so much dangerous material on hand.
19. Ban on the possession of explosive powders of more than 1 kilogram at any one time Gun nuts are notorious for circumventing the intent of the law, so we can reinforce the above proposed regulation with this additional notation. This additional language can be useful in preventing bombmakers and other dangerous individuals.
20. Banning of High Powered Ammo or Wounding ammo. In addition to the banning of military calibers there is a plethora of dangerous rounds which are too high powered for sporting use. This includes the highest calibers of pistol and rifle ammunition (of note are the monster calibers for rifles and pistols, like the .50 caliber Desert Eagle Bullet). We should not forget the lessons learned with the insidious Black Talon Ammo. Hollow points, Glaser killing rounds and other types of ammunition designed specifically for maiming should be prohibited.
21. A National License for Ammunition This is an idea whose time has come. We should look at a Federal License for purchasing of ammunition of all kinds. A special form should be forwarded to a new federal office to track those who are purchasing too much ammunition. Remember that a gun is useless without ammunition.
22. Banning or strict licensing of all re-loading components. Ammunition regulation laws can be regularly bypassed by home loaders, creating an underground cottage industry of ammo manufacture. Possession or purchase of re-loading equipment and machines should be restricted and those who wish to use specially loaded ammunition can go to a federally licensed re-loader.
23. National Registration of ammunition or ammo buyers Fees collected from the national licenses should go towards a nationwide database of ammo buyers, with a possible background check to eliminate the purchase of dangerous ammo by felons or mental patients.
24. Requirement of special storage safe for ammunition and licensing. Like the storage safe for guns, there should be a national requirement for special safes to store ammo. These safes should be tamper proof and fireproof and be registered themselves so that on the spot inspections can be held. Again, the costs for these inspections can be absorbed by the license fees.
GUN RANGES: 25. Restricting Gun Ranges to counties with populations less than 200,000 The obvious threat to public safety of shooting ranges and stray bullets has been lost on many states and counties. We can initiate a federal mandate or incentives to get states to prohibit any kind of shooting range within a county with a population of more than 200,000.
26. Special Licensing of ranges Those ranges which conform to the previous requirement should get special licensing above and beyond that which is required now. Additionally each existing or new shooting range must get in writing the permission of all property owners within a radius of seven miles.
27. Special Range Tax to visitors Additional revenue can be a surtax on ranges, requiring the collection of a minimum of $85.00 per visit per person. This can be in addition to required membership fees, upon which the state and local governments get a sizable portion, to help defray the immense cost of gun violence.
28. Waiting period for rentals on pistol ranges It has been suggested in the past that felons can acquire pistols and other automatic weapons without a background check by renting a gun on a target range. Deranged individuals are basically being given a license to practice hunting humans at these so called sporting ranges. We think that a national waiting period for gun rentals is yet another idea whose time has come.
Activities which promote Gun Violence 29. Banning Gun Shows Illegal transfers and the sales of assault weapons and submachine guns is a common event at these so called gun shows. A huge dent can be made in the illegal trafficking of weapons by banning these shows altogether.
30. Banning of military reenactments The questionable "historical" value of these events has escaped public scrutiny for too long. Many of these so called historical events are mere excuses for gun nuts to blast the countryside with automatic weapons. What is to keep them from loading live bullets and having those stray bullets kill innocent children? What lives in the future will be lost due to this paramilitary training going on right under our noses? We propose the prohibition of Survivalist/paramilitary, World War I and World War II and Civil War Re-enactments on federal land, and hope to encourage the states to prohibit them from state and county lands as well.
31. Making unlawful the assembly of more than 4 armed individuals who are not peace officers or military Since most hunting parties consist of four, we recognize the need to eliminate the currently legal assembly of shooters for paramilitary training on private lands. This is just one good suggestion for our elimination of the gun culture from the mainstream.
32. Begin to curb hunting on all public lands. Blood sports are an anathema to a civilized society, however, it has been a political reality that the hunters and their ilk have too strong of a strangle hold on Congress. We feel that the impending defeat of high tech assault killing machines will open the door to restrictions. With the diminishing number of hunters, we feel that perhaps in five years we can open up much more of our country to campers and hikers, and eliminate the threat to families out camping, by looking at much more restrictions as to what parcels of land will allow hunting. This will not infringe on sportsmen's right to hunt on private land.
33. Making Gun Owners Records and Photos matter of public record We would have to assemble a legal team, in order to investigate the balance of the right to privacy and the right to safeguard public. We fully endorse the photographing and fingerprinting of all gun owners, however, these records are usually relegated to law enforcement only. We think that it would be a good idea to make these records public, so that the communities can have the knowledge of who poses a danger to their community before disaster strikes. We realize that this proposal would probably be controversial, thus a long public affairs campaign would have to be initiated in order to build public support and ease the transition of such an idea. We feel that this idea has merit, and can be justified via the past publication of the names of water wasters during the drought, customers for prostitution, and deadbeat parents who are delinquent on child support.
34. Random Police Checks for Weapons (like sobriety checkpoints) This idea was floated before in California in 1989, where some thought it would be a great deterrent to gang related crimes for police to do sweeps for gang weapons. Right now this idea may have some resistance, however, the political climate can become right to initiate these random vehicle stop and checks at all levels and in all types of neighborhoods. If we continue to mainstream the pressure we can make this a reality.
THE NEXT FIFTEEN YEARS: With all that is going on, who knows what is possible in the next few years? With murders in the streets, and the public fed up, and the once mighty thugs of the Gun Lobby whimpering in impotence we have an opportunity to change the face of America for the better! Previously we thought that it would take at least a century to eliminate dangerous weapons and guns from the public hands, but now with allies in the White House and Congress, we can accelerate this trend, and make the barbaric NRA extinct!!!
Here are some ideas to consider for the long term:
Banning of military acoutrements Essential to the Neanderthal gun culture are the typical military clothing, camouflage, pouches, and gear, boots and other combat gear. They euphemistically refer to this as militaria . Elimination of the future sale of these items will cripple the culture of violence well into the 21 st century.
Stricter guidelines for violence in television and the movies We should look at the possibility of victims of violence by copying an act on television and the movie or video screen, suing the makers of such shows for compensation to their suffering. If the industry cannot regulate itself, we may have to eventually look at an independent branch of government, to determine which scenes cause more harm than good to the public and regulate the numbers of violent acts portrayed.
The total Elimination of arms from Society We cannot survive into the 21st century unless we remember the need to expand our wave to new thinking to the total disarmament of America. With much of the public disarmed we can become more like Great Britain, where we can also eliminate the need for much of our police to be armed. This would take a long time, however, a concerted public relations campaign can pressure local law enforcement to give up their arms, when the time comes. Weapons, would be still available to special units like SWAT or the military.
Control of Dangerous literature (Bomb making, machinegun conversions, etc. . .) Too much irresponsible material is purportedly covered by the 1st Amendment, however, the time will come when our nation has to agree that some literature does not belong in a safe society, like instruction manuals on how to kill, or how to make homemade explosives or nuclear bombs. We must realize that there can be such a thing as too much freedom where such literature poses a serious threat to the public safety.
1994 sounds the death knell for the bully tactics of the NRA and the culture of violence in America!! We are pressing on all fronts and much of this can become reality sooner than we expect. With the loss of power and clout of the NRA and their various smaller crony organizations crumbling to dust, we can eliminate a 200 year old license to murder into history, and enter the 21st century a safer place for our children and our children's children.
************************************************************ HCI - Confidential Document DO NOT DISTRIBUTE / NOT FOR GENERAL CIRCULATION Attachment 1: Stamped Received Stamped CONFIDENTIAL Signed 1/16/94
Confidential Information for use by Lobbyists or Senior Officers ONLY!
1. Proposed License Fees -1994-1995 Gun Control Proposals Fees based on calculated costs of records maintenance, centralized computer system set up, cost of new computer and record keeping equipment, administrative costs of new federal and state offices cost of enforcement and inspection, and calculated cost of gun violence to society.
These listings and the documentation used to calculate these suggested fee schedules will be made available to Federal Law Enforcement Authorities and the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury for review, when the time is right. Additional material will be made available to key politicians when proposing any fee related legislation. These suggestions will be instrumental in determining the nature of future gun control legislation and proposals.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL!! DO NOT DISTRIBUTE BEYOND THE OFFICES OF HCI UNLESS HAND DELIVERED TO AN APPROVED STATE OR FEDERAL LEGISLATOR OR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.
a) Handgun License Fees Year 1 to 2: Program can begin at a relatively low cost to discourage non-compliance: Suggested Fee Schedule: $50 - $75 annual fee Year 3 to 4: Fees would be raised to reflect the cost of enforcement and discourage new ownership: Suggested Fee Schedule: $150 - $250 annual fee Year 5 to 8: If private ownership has not been prohibited by this time then fees can be gradually increased to discourage private ownership: Suggested Fee Schedule $550- $625 annual fee
I. Suggested penalties for non-compliance with licensing: (Penalties would have to be formally outlined by state and federal lawmakers)
(a) Failure to acquire license $1,000 / 6 mos in jail and revocation of ability to own firearms
(b) Failure to maintain license $5.000 / 12 mos in jail and revocation of ability to own firearms. Failure to turn over guns for destruction after lapse of license $15,000 /18 mos in jail and revocation of ability to own firearms Failure to re-new license or notify issuing authority of change of status would be considered a felony. All firearms owned would be then considered contraband and could then be confiscated. State or local law enforcement authorities would be prohibited from retaining or re-selling any confiscated firearm. A record of destruction would have to be issued via common carrier to the federal government not later than 60 days after confiscation.
c) Rifle Stamp; Shotgun License: Program can begin at $30 or at a cost determined to maintain federal records on ownership and registration. Suggested Fee schedule: $30 - $148 annual fee
d) State Licensing of Firearms: The states can collect revenue by initiating state license requirements. The Dept. of Justice for each state will be responsible for initiating the programs at the state level. The licensing fees would be relatively equal with the federal fee requirements. Suggested Fee schedule: $74 - $150 annual fee
e) Local Licensing of Firearms: The U.S. Treasury Dept should look into any legal precedent which will allow the federal authorities to allow cities and towns to restrict ownership or initiate licensing requirements, with the cost of each annual license to reflect the cost of records maintenance and enforcement. Suggested Fee schedule: $48 - $113 annual fee.
f) Arsenal License: (currently at 20 guns or 1000 rounds of ammo) Suggested Fee schedule: $300- $1000 annual fee. Alternate Yearly Fee Schedule: If guns owned exceed 20 - $200 per gun over the limit If ammo quantity exceeds 1000 - $100 per each 50 rounds over the limit (Fees are flexible due to requirements of local law enforcement)
g) Suggested Penalty for Non-Compliance of Arsenal Licensing Law: $5,000 / 8 mos in jail, confiscation of all firearms related property and the revocation of ability to own firearms. (Final Disposition would have to be determined by the Dept. of Justice and the state and federal legislatures)
h) Safe License: Suggested Fee schedule: $228- 392 annual fee (Fees based on calculations of set up of computerized records keeping system, enforcement and registration processing)
i) Ammunition Registration & License: Suggested Fee schedule: $55 - $117 fee for license to buy ammunition (fees based on calculations of set up of computerized records keeping system, enforcement and registration processing)
j) Federal license for Re-Loading (or possession of re-loading equipment) Suggested fee schedule: $130 - $175 annual fee
k) Ammunition Safe license Fee: Suggested Fee schedule: $55 - $75 annual fee
l) Range license (New Federal License on Target, outdoor/indoor ranges) Suggested Fee schedule: $12,100-$15,500 annual fee
m) Range Tax Fee (imposed on Federally licensed gun ranges) Suggested Fee schedule: $85 - $100 collected per person, per visit
k) Inspection License: (verifying the records of guns and storage) This would defray the cost of inspection of firearms safes in businesses or private homes) Suggested Fee schedule: $588 - $678 annual fee II. Suggestions which can be made immediately available to Key Politicians and the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury:
a) Increase Dealers License (Federal Firearms License 01 and 02): Suggested Fee schedule: $600 - $750 annual fee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- c) Increased Title 2 Manufacturing Fees: Suggested Fee schedule: $13,405 - $18,210 annual fee III. An Estimate of the fiscal impact of the licensing of firearms ownership:
Worst Best Federal Handgun License: $50 $625 Federal Rifle & Shotgun License: $30 $148 State Gun License Fee: $74 $150 Local Gun License Fee: $48 $113 Arsenal License Fee: $300 $1000 Safe License Fee: $228 $392 Ammunition License Fee: $55 $117 Re-Loading License Fee: $130 $175 Ammo Safe License Fee: $55 $75 Ammo Inspection Fee: $588 $678 Total Annual Cost: $1,558 $3,473 This cost is not unreasonable, since it would offset considerably the estimated $60 Billion dollars in medical and social costs related to gun violence. If a gun enthusiast feels that he needs such firepower, it is not unreasonable to require him to provide the money necessary to offset the cost to society of such firepower. Ultimately such action would take the glamor and attraction out of firearms ownership and decrease the numbers of gun owners in the U.S. to a manageable number.
IV. Reduction of Gun Owner Population and Potential Yearly Revenue The Federal government estimates that around 65-75 Million Americans own guns. These fees and the licensing requirements would allow us to take guns out of the hands of an estimated 30 million unsuitable or ineligible individuals. The fees for the remaining qualifying individuals would additionally reduce the number to about 14 million gun owners. The estimated federal and state revenue from such fee schedules would constitute a minimum of $21,812 Billion Dollars (WorstCase) to an estimated $48,622 Billion (Best Case) annually. Our eventual goal is to reduce the number of licensees to zero. The revenue itself can be utilized to achieve this goal.
V. Possible Uses for the Revenue:
(A) Institute a mandatory national and comprehensive educational campaign in the public schools (k-12) to de-glamorize guns and gun ownership and to tell the truth about the 2nd Amendment (that it does not address an individual right but a community right) and the years of NRA propaganda to the contrary.
(B) A well funded and concerted campaign to add credence to the calls for eliminating the 2nd amendment entirely via constitutional amendment.
(C) Provide a revenue source for the cost of enforcement of the new laws by Federal and State Law enforcement officials
(D) Provide an offsetting monetary fund to provide medical services and legal services to victims of gun violence.
(E) Establish a nationwide system of toll free numbers for reporting violators of the new gun restrictions and non-licensees. A certain sum may be set aside for cash rewards for tips which result in conviction.
Additional Revenue sources listed: Gun Related Activities: Range License: $12,100.00 annual fee Range Tax Fee: $85.00 collected per person, per visit Gun Dealer License Fee: $600.00 annual fee Title 1 Gun Mfg. License Fee: $6,000.00 annual fee Title 2 Gun Mfg. License Fee: $13,400.00 annual fee Revenue calculations concerning the above fees will depend on how the numbers of gun ranges, gun range visitors, gun dealers, and gun manufacturers are affected by the increased fees. It is not unreasonable to predict at least a 40% drop in these numbers by the end of the first year. And another 35% drop the year after that.
VI. Legal action and possible new revenue sources Pending issues to be given at the appropriate time to the LCAV office for investigation as to feasibility, implementation and public reaction. At no time should these suggestions be made public before we can ascertain the current public reaction and provide the results of these studies to the LCAV attorneys. There are some ideas which are ahead of their time and would only be feasible through a concerted P.R. campaign over the period of several years. A P.R. campaign includes press releases, press conferences, direct lobbying and constant pressure via the national media. We must change the way America thinks in regards to guns and gunowners in order to achieve a safe society for our children in the upcoming century. We realize that one cannot implement every good idea overnight, however the following proposals have been forwarded for investigation as to possible enaction within the next few years. A continued P.R. campaign with the general public as well as the legal and judicial community, will enable us to finally get ground breaking rulings which can change the violent face of the American landscape for years to come.
Legal Point 1: Making possible the suing of owners of guns, as a group, for monetary compensation for victims of gun violence. Once gun-owners in America have been identified through a verifiable source, i.e. the pending national computer registry, it would be possible to seek further compensation for the victims of gun violence through legal means. As a group, the gun nuts would constitute an identifiable entity for class action suits and other legal actions for compensation to the victims of gun violence.
Legal Point 2: Suing Gun Organizations under the RICO statute: It would be expected that gun groups and lobbying groups such as the NRA would encourage non-compliance. Thus nationally recognized groups will be technically organizing to break the law . Once this can be proven, these groups will be vulnerable to lawsuits based on the RICO statute and drained of their financial resources through repeated legal action.
Legal Point 3: Suing the makers of toy/replica guns, toy weapons and violent entertainment: One of the purveyors of violence to society, companies which profit off of violence would eventually be identified and made legally responsible for the violent acts inspired by their products. A study would have to be created to link these companies to those actions taken as a result of their products. There is already current pressure for the makers of toy guns, realistic or not, to concentrate on safer toys which do not exploit violence. The threat of legal action would convince many manufacturers and distributors that other non-violence related toys would be more worthwhile to sell to the community. Lawsuits against the makers of violent entertainment and violence related recreational materials and toys, would make these companies and individuals fiscally accountable for the cost to society incurred as a result of their peddled merchandise. The items could include. Violent Video games, television shows, movies, video tapes, water guns, super soakers, electronic noise guns, replica guns, toy weapons like swords, batons, martial arts items.
Tort law as we know it may not have to under go a change in order the facilitate these actions. As many people know it is not necessary to actually win in order to effect change, since the constant threat of legal action will induce change in the way people do business. People all know that the real fiscal effect of repeated legal actions can bankrupt a peddler of violence just as well as winning a large settlement.
Any additional ideas or proposals should be directed at our Washington D.C. office for collation, investigation and discussion. Please maintain standard security procedures when distributing sensitive documents between offices. A routing slip should accompany each sealed document and the signature of all readers should be legible, dated and timed. At this time documents of this nature will not be distributed to new field offices or allied political groups until their security measures can be confirmed.
************************************************************ A Quick Guide to Arguing with the Gun Zealots
When you argue with the anti-gun control forces remember to press these key issues: Strategic points to remember for public speaking: Today's criminals and gangbangers outgun our cops. Our children are being threatened, murdered and cut down in the street. There is no sporting purpose for a semi-automatic firearm. The 2nd Amendment does not protect the right to own military or semi-automatic arms. With tens of millions of people owning guns, the potential for lawlessness and gun massacres increases ten fold each year. The current crime wave can touch any community, and social strata. Handguns have no purposes other than killing people. Households with guns are 43 times more likely to have their guns used against a family member than those households without guns. Self defense is no legitimate reason for owning a gun (see Above Point). The vast majority of crime guns are bought legally. Most Gun dealers sell thousands of guns illegally to gangs and criminals every day. Repeat these facts over and over and eventually the public will begin to see the light. They cannot casually dismiss these devastating facts any more. They will be remembering our arguments long after the echoes of the NRA's arguments have vanished.
Remember that they are defending the right to murder in our country.
This alone makes them look brutish and Neanderthals. Offer our people another alternative. An alternative to violence and machismo. It is becoming less and less politically correct to own a gun. Ultimately society as a whole will look upon gun owners with dread and disdain.
Other Pressing Points:
Military Assault Weapons: The confusion by the general public between semi-automatic weapons can work in our favor. Constantly dropping the words - submachine gun, fully automatic, machine gun, military weapon, high tech killing machine are good debater's tricks to instill a sense of dread over these weapons. Ultimately people will learn to dread these weapons just like chemical warfare weapons and toxic waste dumps.
Semi-Automatic Weapons: Remember that there is no place for any kind of semi-auto weapon in a safe society regardless of how it looks, since many so called sport rifles can be easily converted to a military configuration. Thus all semi-automatic weapons are capable of being called assault weapons . Never let up on this fact.
Endangerment of Children: It is difficult for the Gun groups to counter arguments which call attention to the endangerment of children. Making the opposition look callous creates an image of brutality and indifference to the audience. Keep this point in the fore front of any public argument.
Enough is enough: Americans are sick and tired of the violence that is infecting our society. Press forth this point and other points of a related nature. It is time for action, to take back our streets from crime. If we don't take action now, this crimewave will engulf America. Again be sure to press the point that the Gun Lobby opposes action to counter this crime wave.
Assault Weapons - the Choice of Criminals: Assault weapons are the weapons of choice for gangs, mentally deficient individuals, and criminals across the board. The Gun Lobby argues that anyone at anytime should have the right to buy and own these weapons of mass destruction.
Too Many Guns in the U.S.: There are over 200 million guns in America today. One for every man, woman, and child in the United States. Push the fact that each one of these killing machines poses a grave threat to our population.
Assault Ammunition:
The ammunition for military arms are more powerful and more devastating than normal ammunition. This type of ammo if not banned, should have the delivery systems (assault weapons) banned at least.
Points of Victory in the past ten years:
Defeating the NRA's attempt to gut the ban on interstate handgun sales. Defeating the NRA s protection of Cop Killer Bullets. Defeating the NRA's protection of Plastic, Undetectable handguns. Winning a ban on Saturday Night Specials in Maryland. Winning bans on Assault Weapons in states and cities throughout the U.S.
Also remember to make good use of HCI's prepared 10 and 20 minute sample speeches available in the future. These speeches can be modified to fit a variety of circumstances.
The Fraud of the Second Amendment and the Gun Lobby's Big Lie:
The following is our current flyer on the NRA's Fraud concerning and meaning and interpretation of the Second Amendment. Remember to read the arguments about the Second Amendment and our fact sheets on Children & Guns, Firearms & Youth Suicides, and our upcoming Fact Sheet on the Myth of using a Gun in Self Defense. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the S.T.A.R. program and push not only for its implementation but also of new materials which will address the Gun Lobby's Myth about the Second Amendment.
"A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
The Second Amendment: Fraud and Fact Four Basic Reasons Why The Second Amendment Permits Gun Control
1. FRAUD: The Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees each individual the unlimited right to own and use guns for hunting, self-protection, target shooting or other individual pursuits.
1. FACT: Although the gun lobby, led by the National Rifle Association, literally spends millions of dollars each year promoting this false claim, the truth is the federal courts have unanimously held that the right to keep and bear arms is limited to participation in an organized militia...that the Second Amendment does not guarantee the right of individuals to own and to carry arms.
2. FRAUD: Because the Second Amendment guarantees Americans the right to bear arms, the government cannot forbid Americans to own firearms, such as handguns, or even assault weapons.
2. FACT: No federal court in history has ever overturned a gun control law on Second Amendment grounds. To the contrary, the courts have held that this amendment does not prohibit Congress from regulating the interstate sale of weapons, nor does it prevent the states from regulating the use and sale of firearms as they see fit.
3. FRAUD: Because it contains the phrase, "the right of the people to keep and bear arms," the Second Amendment obviously meant to confer an individual right to own and use firearms.
3. FACT: During colonial days, Americans held a great distrust of standing armies and, in order to get the Constitution ratified, the framers had to include a Bill of Rights provision to protect state militias from federal encroachment. Thus "of the people" refers to the right of the people to participate in organized state militias, free from interference by the federal government.
4. FRAUD: A "well-regulated militia" refers to those persons who live within the boundaries of any given state, and that's why each citizen of a state retains a fundamental right to keep and bear arms.
4. FACT: The term "well-regulated militia" has been consistently viewed by the federal courts as the active, organized militia of each state. Moreover, the U.S. Supreme Court has twice held that the National Guard is the modern day equivalent of a state militia. Of course, the National Guard does not use privately owned firearms at all.
See how much progress they have made.
And what's coming..
My favorite. I never knew that there were automatic weapons during the Civil War.
BTW, is this really real?
Arsenal License: (currently at 20 guns or 1000 rounds of ammo) Suggested Fee schedule: $300- $1000 annual fee. Alternate Yearly Fee Schedule: If guns owned exceed 20 - $200 per gun over the limit If ammo quantity exceeds 1000 - $100 per each 50 rounds over the limit (Fees are flexible due to requirements of local law enforcement)
I would love to see a politician run on the "Arsenal license" platform. They wouldn't make it to dog catcher.
This is a joke? We are seeing reports that the Brits are arming more and more of their police and ordering them to wear body armour because of increasing gun crime! And the people who say they believe our future depends on societal gun elimination want us to be more like them?
Armour for North London Police
"We have pretty strong gun laws in this country but they do not seem to be having any effect."
..."about a decade or more so ago, it was only a specialist unit called the blue berets today, each station has a armed backup force."
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
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