Posted on 10/05/2001 8:45:11 PM PDT by Don Myers
Congress Considers "Demilitarization" Requirement
This week, the U.S. Senate passed S. 1438, the Department of Defense (DoD) annual authorization bill, which contains a provision that is of grave concern to hunters and sport shooters. Section 1062 of this bill provides the Secretary of Defense with the authority to require "demilitarization" of any "significant military equipment" that has ever been owned by the DoD. This would include all firearms (such as the venerable M1, M1 Carbine, and Model 1911, as well as all Civilian Marksmanship Program rifles, even "sporterized" surplus bolt-action Springfields!); firearm parts such as barrels, bolts, triggers, firing pins, sights, etc.; ammunition and ammunition components; and firearm accessories such as cleaning rods, oilers, and even cleaning brushes. "Demilitarization" is the term for rendering such items permanently inoperable, and Sec. 1062 allows for this action to be carried out either by the owner or a third party, with the owner paying the cost, or by the DoD. However, if the DoD determines it should perform the demilitarization, it can also determine that the cost of returning the demilled item is prohibitive, then simply keep the item, and reimburse the owner only for the fair market scrap value of the item.
Furthermore, this new authority would require private citizens to determine for themselves if an item they own is subject to demilitarization, and face criminal penalties for non-compliance. The DoD would be under no obligation to notify law-abiding citizens that items they have lawfully owned for years, and perhaps that their families have owned for generations, are suddenly subject to forced demilitarization. This becomes extremely significant when one considers that U.S. military surplus has been regularly—and legally—bought, sold, and traded for centuries. Countless Americans own items that could be subject to Sec. 1062. It is likely millions of law-abiding Americans would be affected, and could unknowingly become criminals overnight without having done anything or having ever been informed.
The DoD already has the authority and responsibility to demilitarize any item it sells as surplus, so there is absolutely no reason to seek new authority to confiscate and destroy lawfully sold and lawfully owned items that are now the property of private citizens. Be sure to contact your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, and your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and urge them to strike Sec. 1062 from S. 1438, the "National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2002." The 24 members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the 60 members of the House Armed Services Committee especially need to hear from you. To find out if any of your lawmakers are on either committee, you can use NRAILA.org's "Write Your Reps" tool.
Bravo! I'm glad that you're giving your boys an opportunity to experience something that they will keep with them the rest of their lives. Keeping an American tradition alive! Carry on sir!
Oh, yeah? Well, what's that yer hidin' in yer shorts there feller? Frisk him officer Nauti!
They've got a lot to worry about these days. However, they'll have a whole lot more to worry about if they go passing civilian disarmament legislation.
Mark
Wolfowitz's comment came in response to a question from Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), the committee's ranking Republican. Warner told Wolfowitz that he believes it is time to reexamine the legal doctrine of posse comitatus and asked the Pentagon's second-ranking official whether he agreed.
"I agree very strongly," Wolfowitz said. He added that it would be much better to determine in advance how the military would function under civilian control in the event of terrorist incident.
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DM, Along with making it legal for the military to act as police by getting rid of {or changing} the Posse Comitatus Act, this would be disastrous for gunowners any time they wanted. In Marylad, the National Guard has already been made a "Law Enforcement Agency", and defined as "Militia" under the LAW!! The "free state" has thus become the police state ala any other third world country. Peace and love, George.
DM, There is much evidence that we aren't the "democracy" we're supposed to be TODAY. Peace and love, George.
It is there for those who care to see it.
DM, YEP!! But as somebody said, "There are none so blind as those who will not see." Peace and love, George.
The problem is democracy. Majority rule in congress on any legislation they chose to enact was never the intention of the Founders.
PF, Actually, that was the intent at one time. Congress was to make "all Laws which shall be necessary and proper". That would have been under the prevailing view of what the constitutio allowed. The Congress was given by that statement all of the powers that European and other parliaments have today with no limitations. THAT was why the addition of the Bill of Rights was so necessary. It changed US from a "democratic" governed country, into a nation like none before and since. And, the Constitution has proven to be the best government forming document document ever produced, despite the corruption of by individuals at various given times. Peace and love, George.
Oh, man. I gotta get in on that. That looks like underwear-ruining fun.
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