Thought some of you might be interested in a column I wrote for a newspaper in Conn.:

THE PROBLEM IS NOT GUNS, ITS SIN

By Bill Dunn

Liberals politicians are once again demanding that guns be outlawed. Its the only way to avoid Littleton-like tragedies, we are told. If no one is allowed to own one of those nasty, evil firearms, then our country finally will be safe, peaceful, and happy.

Its just more utopian foolishness. If nothing else, liberals are consistent in their misunderstanding of basic human nature. They truly believe human beings are essentially good and noble and decent, despite 5,000 years of recorded history which demonstrates conclusively that mankind is at heart selfish and cruel and dishonest.

Its called sin -- a concept modern liberals refuse to acknowledge. Our fallen sinful nature is why we need behavioral constraints: just laws to guide us from without and religious doctrines to guide us from within.

Some people actually think if we remove all behavioral constraints then the innate goodness of humanity will shine forth, and love and cooperation with flourish. But in reality, the only thing flourishing would be a brutal Lord of the Flies, dog-eat-dog nightmare.

Many of these vocal anti-gun liberals are the same people who said during the height of the Cold War that the United States should destroy all its nuclear weapons, and then the Soviets, seeing our good intentions, would surely do likewise. Sorry, but good intentions and sincere feelings are no substitute for reality. And the reality is that mankind is sinful.

Using the correct understanding of basic human nature, it is certain that the following two situations would occur if firearms are outlawed:

1. The violent crime rate would skyrocket. If guns are outlawed, do you really think criminals will rush down to the police station and turn in their weapons? Once law-abiding citizens are disarmed the thugs would have a field day. When handguns were outlawed in Washington, DC, a number of years ago, the murder rate tripled. Criminals may be immoral, but theyre not stupid. They seek defenseless victims. When they know their prey is unarmed, they act boldly. But if theres a chance that a potential victim is carrying a firearm, the criminal operates much more cautiously. Every time a state or jurisdiction has passed legislation allowing law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons, the violent crime rate has dropped -- every single time. I know this goes against the grain of liberal emotions, but the fact is, a well-armed citizenry equals less crime.

2. The U.S. would become a police state. Oh, maybe not right away, but within a couple of generations our ever-expanding, power-hungry government would post troops on each street corner -- for our own good, of course. When the rampant lawlessness of situation number 1 becomes so intolerable that the population demands something be done about it, the government will be more than happy to oblige. Citizens will naively surrender their rights in exchange for security, only to discover after its too late that they have lost both. Its a scenario which has been repeated countless times throughout history. Disarming the general population has always been the first step of authoritarian government.

Firearms have been readily available in this country for hundreds of years. And for hundreds of years people have used guns responsibly for hunting, self-defense, and, as the 2nd Amendment intended, to keep tyranny-inclined government leaders in check.

The occurrence of mass murder in schools and the workplace is a very recent phenomenon. The problem is not the guns -- its the heart and soul of the killers.

We are not plagued by a proliferation of firearms, we are plagued by a proliferation of misguided liberal thinking. For almost four decades now we have been told that if we remove all those oppressive, religious-inspired behavioral constraints then we will be happy and fulfilled. If we define right and wrong for ourselves based on our feelings then we will be truly free, our innate goodness bubbling forth for all to see.

It hasnt worked out that way. By removing those behavioral constraints, our innate sinfulness has bubbled forth with predictable consequences. Those young school shooters in Colorado were simply defining right and wrong for themselves based on their feelings.

Politicians should cease their silly crusade to outlaw guns. That makes about as much sense as treating a brain tumor by putting the patients leg in a cast. If they truly want to stop the madness, they should acknowledge that sin is real, and the only way a civilization can survive is to hold its citizens to a high standard of personal responsibility.

One thing is certain, if we surrender our right to own firearms, we will find ourselves at the mercy of lawless individuals, and more ominously, at the mercy of lawless government.

-- Bill Dunn (bdunn@snet.net), June 03, 1999

Answers

Dear Bill,

The scenario in your last paragraph certainly does not apply in the UK where only a very small minority of the population have guns.We certainly have had our massacres,Hungerford & Dunblane.

However,people here do not see that the right to bear arms is inherent in citzenship.The vast majority put the safety of others above gun ownership & I think this is why we find the whole debate puzzling.

Perhaps its due to our cultural background which of course is different from yours.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), June 03, 1999.

Bill, just one question for you. Any chance you could incorporate the word Liberal into your next article?

Not a Liberal,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), June 03, 1999.

Bingo 1 --

I'll see what I can do.

-- Bill Dunn (bdunn@snet.net), June 03, 1999.

Intersting to know the name of that "paper" you wrote this article for. Would it be the "Klan Times" or the "Mercenary News"?

In 1996, handguns were used to murder 2 people in New Zealand, 15 in Japan, 30 in Great Britain, 106 in Canada, 213 in Germany and 9,390 in the United States.

-- Jiggy (gomer@baiter.s), June 03, 1999.

Would you prefer that they was pushed out of windows?

-- archie bunker (archie@meathead.dingbat), June 03, 1999.

Excellent article, Bill. I hope it gets the interest it deserves.

Chrissy... mm, my, my, my, my. Where does one start? You see, we over here fought a war with your forebears in part because we wanted to be free. If Britons were as freedom-loving as Americans, they too would seek to cast off their chains, but apparently shackles sit much more comfortably upon them. Your comment "The vast majority put the safety of others above gun ownership" tells the whole tale. You would rather be safe than free - so be it. As for me and my countrymen, we will take the "exhilirating contest of freedom" over slavery, thanks.

-- klm (klm@nwhre.not), June 03, 1999.

Chris,

I think you have most of the answer: cultural differences. The gun was a significant factor in the birth of our nation, and during the first 100 or so years of our growth.

The clues are in the westerns a lot of folks in other countries watch. The "frontier days" of our history are not nearly as long ago as your days of feudalism. Hostile Indians, stagecoach robbers, and the likes of Billy the Kid were an active part of our history a scant century ago. Intrestingly enough, many historians agree that the most useful tool of the white settler/farmer in 19th century America was the shotgun.

You can trace your history back for many centuries...we can't. Compared to you folks, we are still in our cultural adolescence.

-- LP (soldog@htomail.com), June 03, 1999.

A gun is merely a tool, as is a baseball bat, a knife, a 2X4... you get the picture. What you do with that tool is strictly up to you, and your conscience.

What does the previous topic say about us and society as a whole?

A weapon can be made from just about anything... a gun just happens to be easier.

lickin' my feet,

The Dog

-- The Dog (cmpennell@juno.com), June 03, 1999.

Deaths due to drunk drivers are way down and it isn't because we don't sell cars to drunks. Kick butt with laws we have.

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), June 04, 1999.

Jiggy,

Please tell me more.

"9,390 in the United States"

How many "legal" weapons. How many registered? How many murders solved?

How many of those evil Iraq people have been killed by U.S. sanctions, and bombing since 1992? I'll answer that one. Conservitive answer = 600,000 aged, women, and children.

You really will have to fight me for mine, or your jackboots.

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@hotmail.com), June 04, 1999.

Jiggy,

You want to play with numbers? Let's see. 9,390/365 days in a year means approx 25 per day are killed in the US with a gun. There are approx 250,000,000 guns in the US. 250,000,000/25 = 10,000,000. That means on any given day only ONE OUT OF EVERY 10 MILLION guns will be used to kill someone.

Picture 10 million guns in your mind for a minute. That's more than enough guns to fill a football stadium. Yet ONLY ONE of those will be used to kill someone on any given day. The other 9,999,999 guns will kill NO ONE.

Sorry, but guns are not the problem.

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), June 04, 1999.

Jiggy, let's ask you to compare apples and apples. How many SWISS were killed? Reason I ask is that firearm ownership is MANDATORY (and it's an assault rifle to boot).

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), June 04, 1999.

Wow! and I mean it!

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@hotmail.com), June 04, 1999.

"the slave owners victory is complete when the slave takes pride in his chains"-mohandis k. ghandi

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), June 04, 1999.

Murder Rate and Firearms According to the FBI, as reported in the May 25, 1998, edition of U.S. News & World Report, the murder rate in the U.S. dropped 20 percent--from 24,526 to 19,645--from 1993 to 1996. There was an additional nine percent drop in 1997.

The murder rate in 1993 was 9.5 per 100,000; in 1996 it went down to 7.4 per 100,000. (Source: May 25, 1998, edition of U.S. News & World Report)

Although exact figures are not known, firearm ownership increased since 1994, while, as shown above, the murder rate decreased during that period. This conclusively shows firearms do not lead to higher murder rates. (Source: May 25, 1998, edition of U.S. News & World Report)

In 1995, there were a total of 22,552 homicides (which would include murders, but exclude the 343 "legal interventions") in the U.S. Of these, 15,551, or 69 percent, involved the use of a firearm. The percentage of firearms-related homicide decreased from 71 percent in 1994. (Source: National Safety Council's 1998 Accident Facts)

In 1995, there were 3.3 non-fatal firearms related injuries for each death. (Source: National Safety Council's 1998 Accident Facts)

Firearms-Related Death Rate In 1997 (the most recent year for which data is available), there were 1,500 accidental deaths involving firearms in the U.S. This is a rate of .6 per 100,000. (Source: National Safety Council's 1998 Accident Facts) Age breakdown for accidental shooting deaths in 1996: 0-4 years: 40 deaths 5-14 years: 180 deaths 15-24 years: 450 deaths 25-44 years: 450 deaths 45-64 years: 240 deaths 65-74 years: 80 deaths 75+ years: 60 deaths (Source: National Safety Council's 1998 Accident Facts)I

In 1995, there were 12.8 non-fatal firearms related injury for each accidental death. (Source: National Safety Council's 1998 Accident Facts)

U.S. Murder Rate Since 1900 (rate shown is per 100,000 population)

1900: 1.5 1910: 4.3 1920: 6.4 1930: 8.2 1935: 9.6 1940: 6.0 1950: 5.0 1960: 4.7 1970: 8.0 1980: 10.3 1990: 10.0 1996: 7.4

Notes: The murder rate peaked in the mid-1930s and again in 1980. These facts also show there is no correlation between the 1939 National Firearms Act (NFA), which imposed stringent regulations on fully automatic weapons, or the 1968 Gun Control Act (GCA), and the murder rate. In fact, the murder rate skyrocketed in the 12 years following enactment of the 1968 GCA.

Accidental Firearms-Related Deaths Compared to Other Causes of Accidental Death (1997) 1. Motor vehicles: 43,200 deaths 2. Falls: 14,900 deaths 3. Poisoning by solids or liquids: 8,600 deaths 4. Drowning: 4,000 deaths 5. Fires, burns and related deaths: 3,700 deaths 6. Suffocation by swallowing object: 3,300 deaths 7. Firearms-related: 1,500 deaths 8. Poisoning by gases and vapors: 700 deaths 9. All other causes (including medical "misadventures"): 13,900 Total deaths: 93,800 (Source: National Safety Council's 1998 Accident Facts)

The Most Common Activities that Lead to Emergency Room Visits 1. Baseball/softball 404,000 2. Dog bites 334,000 3. Playground 267,000 4. ATV's, mopeds 125,000 5. Volleyball 98,000 6. In-line skating 76,000 7. Horseback riding 71,000 8. Baby walkers 28,000 9. Skateboards 25,000

Note: There is no mention of guns or shooting activities

[Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission]

Suicide Total suicide deaths in 1995 (latest year figures available): 31,284 Suicides involving firearms: 18,503 (Source: National Safety Council's 1998 Accident Facts)

In 1995, suicides accounted for over 52% of all firearm deaths, while murder accounted for 44%, accidents accounted for 3%, and undetermined, 1%. (Source: National Safety Council's 1998 Accident Facts)

In 1995, there was 0.3 non-fatal firearms-related injury for each suicide.

Concealed Weapons Permit Laws Liberalized concealed-carry handgun laws, now in effect in 31 states, are a major factor in reducing violent crime. This was proven by University of Chicago by Professors John Lott and David Mustard in their landmark 1996 study, "Crime, Deterrence and Right-to-Carry Concealed Handguns." The researchers examined crime in the more than 3,000 U.S. counties from 1977 to 1992 and discovered liberalized concealed-carry laws reduced murders by 8.5 percent, rapes by 5 percent and aggravated assaults by 7 percent.

The Truth About the Kellermann Study claiming firearms increase your chances of being murdered by a factor of 43 Arthur L. Kellermann is an anti-self defense lobbyist with an axe to grind. The "study" was designed to produce a pre-determined result. The "study" is pure "junk science." At the end of his report, Kellermann acknowledged his study did "not include cases in which burglars or intruders are wounded or frightened away by the use or display of a firearm." He also admitted his study did not look at situations in which intruders "purposely avoided a home known to be armed."

This means Kellermann ignored the vast majority of situations in which legally armed citizens frightened away intruders simply by displaying a firearm. (Source: "Protected or Peril? An Analysis of Firearm-Related Deaths in the Home" by Arthur L. Kellermann and Donald T. Reay)

Firearm Use by Civilians to Deter Crime By carefully examining facts and statistics from the Department of Justice, the F.B.I. and other law enforcement agencies, Prof. Gary Kleck from the School of Criminology, Florida State University, discovered Americans use firearms to prevent crimes approximately 1 to 1.5 million times per year. These are the very cases Kellermann chose to ignore. Had Kellermann considered these facts, he would have had to conclude a firearm in the home makes a family safer.

Prof. Kleck also discovered that robbery victims who defended themselves with a gun suffered lower rates of injury than did those who resisted without a gun, or even those who did not resist at all and instead complied with the violent criminal's demands. In short, Prof. Kleck concluded the private ownership of firearms deters criminal behavior. (Source: "Crime Control Through the Private Use of Armed Force" by Gary Kleck)

Japan vs. the United States: murder and suicide rates Japan's murder rate averages 0.9 per 100,000, but its suicide rate is 20.3, for a combined rate of 21.1 per 100,000. The U.S. murder rate averages 7.4 per 100,000, and the suicide rate is 12.0, for a combined total of 19.4 per 100,000. Thus, the combined murder and suicide rates in Japan and the U.S. are nearly equal even though firearms are virtually non-existent in Japan. (Source: National Safety Council's 1997 Accident Facts and the United Nations Demographic Yearbook)

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), June 04, 1999.