Replies

Re: Experts Say Curbing Gun Violence Takes Int'l Action (From The UN ITSELF)

Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, June 15, 2003; Page A14

BAGHDAD, June 14 -- The Iraqi guard at the entrance of the police academy, one of several places where citizens could surrender illegal weapons to U.S. occupation forces, shook his head when asked how many had met today's deadline for handing over guns without penalty.

"We've had plenty of reporters, but no weapons come in," he said.

A two-week weapons amnesty program designed to reduce the number of heavy armaments in the hands of Iraqis ended today with scant results. Nationwide, 123 pistols, 76 semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, 435 automatic rifles, 46 machine guns, 162 antitank rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 11 antiaircraft weapons and 381 hand grenades had been turned in as of this morning, according to the U.S. military. There seemed to be no last-minute rush.

U.S. officials, while describing the response as light, were quick to explain that the goal was never to disarm Iraqis, but principally to inform them that banned weapons must not be carried in public. As of Sunday, it will be illegal for Iraqis to carry weapons in public without a permit.

Yeh, I guess there won't be a formal announcement that the US won't bother going door to door confiscating weapons. Nor will the US confiscate weapons that were fired off in celebration when Uday & brother were announced dead as a doorknob, even though that demonstration was illegal.

I'd consider the no-announcement policy of no gun confiscation similar to the unannounced policy of not enforcing illegal immigrant laws against employers.