April2000

The Armed M is a publication of the 2nd Amendment SIG, a special interest group of American Mensa Ltd. Opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the writers, and not of American Mensa, Ltd. which has no opinions. This newsletter is linked to the Mensa web page WWW.Mensa.org as WWW.webcatt.com/2ndAmend_SIG

I have moved and am now in Wilmington North Carolina. My E-Mail address is Smith13@Worldnet.att.net. I can always use contributions to the newsletter. If you write something or find something e-mail it to me I'll put it in the newsletter as space and theme allows. Bob Smith

Exactly one year ago this column headlined "The $200 Machine Gun." We predicted that when guns become illegal to own and sell, then the criminal element would rush in to fill the demand. Thieves, smugglers and black market gun makers could supply machine guns for about $200 apiece.

About three years ago, the British government all but outlawed private firearms ownership in Britain. Because one vicious killer used a firearm to commit multiple murders in 1996, victim-disarming politicians rushed to ban nearly all private gun ownership and possession nationwide.

The result? According to the January 16, 2000 edition of the Sunday Times of London, "up to 3 million illegal guns are in circulation in Britain, leading to a rise in drive-by shootings and gangland-style executions."

What are the prices of illegal guns? According to the Sunday Times, "a third of young criminals, [ages 15 to 25 with prior convictions], own or have access to guns ranging from Beretta sub-machineguns to Luger pistols, which can be bought from underworld dealers for as little as £200." ($320 U.S.)

How do the guns get into the "gun free" island nation? The Sunday Times reported: "Criminals have maintained a steady flow of smuggled guns from eastern Europe, exhibition weapons reactivated in illegal "factories" run by underworld dealers, and guns stolen from private collections."

As predicted, when ownership of all guns becomes illegal, the buyers will shift toward the higher power weapons. "There is a move from the pistol and the shotgun to automatic weapons," British Detective Superintendent Keith Hudson told the Sunday Times.

British criminals have all the guns they want. The Sunday Times thus reported: "Detectives say modern weapons are fast becoming fashion accessories among young drug dealers protecting themselves and their territory."

Are British people safer? Crime rates are soaring in Britain. The British Home Office, according to the Sunday Times, released figures showing that "overall, armed crime rose 10% in 1998" -the year after national handgun prohibition began.

Usually, when the government passes a law that causes problems for people, the citizens can petition the government to change the law. Gun prohibition, however, does more than just endanger citizens by preventing them from protecting their lives and loved ones.

Gun prohibition damages the whole society by creating a huge opportunity for organized crime to prosper. Even if the prohibition law is later repealed, the organized crime elements might be entrenched with enough money and power to get into other legal or illegal businesses. Political corruption, started during the prohibition, likewise will not just disappear when the laws are changed again.

The British example shows how the ultimate "gun control" will likely work in America. Criminals will get rich selling illegal weapons to other criminals, and ordinary citizens will suffer a violent crime wave. The national "instant check" system and the "Brady Bill" won’t even matter.

Americans must not give up their right to personal self-defense. We must not turn over the firearms industry to thieves and thugs. And we must not let Americans be so gullible as to believe the "dial 911" false promise of police protection, when actually we are legally responsible for protecting ourselves. (Get the facts for all 50 states from "Dial 911 and Die" -- available from JPFO and Amazon.com.)

The facts are here. Do your part by copying this article and sending it to newspapers, public officials, candidates for office, and as many other folks that you can. Download this article from the JPFO website and e-mail it everywhere. Contact JPFO to join or order materials at www.jpfo.org, or call (800) 869-1884. (Annual membership dues: $20 U.S.)

The Smith & Wesson agreement is at http://www.hud.gov/pressrel/gunagree.html. You won't believe it.

As you know Arizona has introduced; " A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE DISSOLUTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS OCCUR."

I am asking all of you to spread the word to your Representatives and fellow patriots so your state will pass this Resolution. All 50 states need to pass this Resolution to ensure the required 35 states needed to disolve the Federal Government, if certain conditions occur, will be possible, as well as send a clear message to the Federal Government.

I am aware; some of you believe there is no use in dealing with issues through legislature. I am still new at this patriot business and I have yet to learn, that our Government is so corrupt, that there is no hope, so I will keep trying until I learn otherwise.

I am willing to assist any person(s) with getting this resolution presented to your state representatives for consideration.