Let's lay down our right to bear arms.

[Quantrill]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/18/commentary.plate/index.html



Ok, this guy was an editor for the LA Times so that should tell you what you need to know.  There is a section after the article where you can post comments to this drivel.

By Tom Plate
Special to CNN
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Editor's note: Tom Plate, former editor of the editorial pages of the Los Angeles Times, is a professor of communication and policy studies at UCLA. He is author of a new book, "Confessions of an American Media Man."

Read an opposing take on gun control from Ted Nugent: Gun-free zones are recipe for disaster

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Most days, it is not at all hard to feel proud to be an American. But on days such as this, it is very difficult.

The pain that the parents of the slain students feel hits deep into everyone's hearts. At the University of California, Los Angeles, students are talking about little else. It is not that they feel especially vulnerable because they are students at a major university, as is Virginia Tech, but because they are (to be blunt) citizens of High Noon America.

"High Noon" is a famous film. The 1952 Western told the story of a town marshal (played by the superstar actor Gary Cooper) who is forced to eliminate a gang of killers by himself. They are eventually gunned down.

The use of guns is often the American technique of choice for all kinds of conflict resolution. Our famous Constitution, about which many of us are generally so proud, enshrines -- along with the right to freedom of speech, press, religion and assembly -- the right to own guns. That's an apples and oranges list if there ever was one.

Not all of us are so proud and triumphant about the gun-guarantee clause. The right to free speech, press, religion and assembly and so on seem to be working well, but the gun part, not so much.

Let me explain. Some misguided people will focus on the fact that the 23-year-old student who killed his classmates and others at Virginia Tech was ethnically Korean. This is one of those observations that's 99.99 percent irrelevant. What are we to make of the fact that he is Korean? Ban Ki-moon is also Korean! Our brilliant new United Nations secretary general has not only never fired a gun, it looks like he may have just put together a peace formula for civil war-wracked Sudan -- a formula that escaped his predecessor.

So let's just disregard all the hoopla about the race of the student responsible for the slayings. These students were not killed by a Korean, they were killed by a 9 mm handgun and a .22-caliber handgun.

In the nineties, the Los Angeles Times courageously endorsed an all-but-complete ban on privately owned guns, in an effort to greatly reduce their availability. By the time the series of editorials had concluded, the newspaper had received more angry letters and fiery faxes from the well-armed U.S. gun lobby than on any other issue during my privileged six-year tenure as the newspaper's editorial page editor.

But the paper, by the way, also received more supportive letters than on any other issue about which it editorialized during that era. The common sense of ordinary citizens told them that whatever Americans were and are good for, carrying around guns like costume jewelry was not on our Mature List of Notable Cultural Accomplishments.

"Guns don't kill people," goes the gun lobby's absurd mantra. Far fewer guns in America would logically result in far fewer deaths from people pulling the trigger. The probability of the Virginia Tech gun massacre happening would have been greatly reduced if guns weren't so easily available to ordinary citizens.

Foreigners sometimes believe that celebrities in America are more often the targets of gun violence than the rest of us. Not true. Celebrity shootings just make better news stories, so perhaps they seem common. They're not. All of us are targets because with so many guns swishing around our culture, no one is immune -- not even us non-celebrities.

When the great pop composer and legendary member of the Beatles John Lennon was shot in 1980 in New York, many in the foreign press tabbed it a war on celebrities. Now, some in the media will declare a war on students or some-such. This is all misplaced. The correct target of our concern needs to be guns. America has more than it can possibly handle. How many can our society handle? My opinion is: as close to zero as possible.

Last month, I was robbed at 10 in the evening in the alley behind my home. As I was carrying groceries inside, a man with a gun approached me where my car was parked. The gun he carried featured one of those red-dot laser beams, which he pointed right at my head.

Because I'm anything but a James Bond type, I quickly complied with all of his requests. Perhaps because of my rapid response (it is called surrender), he chose not to shoot me; but he just as easily could have. What was to stop him?

This occurred in Beverly Hills, a low-crime area dotted with upscale boutiques, restaurants and businesses -- a city best known perhaps for its glamour and celebrity sightings.

Oh, and police tell me the armed robber definitely was not Korean. Not that I would have known one way or the other: Basically the only thing I saw or can remember was the gun, with the red dot, pointed right at my head.

A near-death experience does focus the mind. We need to get rid of our guns.

What is your take on this commentary? E-mail us

The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer. This is part of an occasional series of commentaries on CNN.com that offers a broad range of perspectives, thoughts and points of view.

Read Ted Nugent's take on gun control here: Gun-free zones are recipe for disaster

[Raineyrocks]

 Kucinich Offers Comprehensive Plan to Address Violence in America
The Level of Violence in Society Constitutes a National Emergency; Hand Gun Law Prepared

   

Flags



Washington, Apr 18 - WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 18) ? In the aftermath of Monday?s deadly shooting in Blacksburg, Virginia, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is proposing a comprehensive, three-point plan to deal with the violence plaguing America, including a ban on handguns.

?The tragic events in Blacksburg, Virginia which took 33 lives are not an isolated example of the effects of gun violence in America. In fact, about 32 people perish each and every day in America in hand gun related incidents,? Kucinich said in a speech to Congress today.

?It is becoming painfully obvious that the easy availability of handguns constituents a growing national crisis of public health and safety, one that calls for a powerful, wide-ranging response from Congress.

?The level of violence in our society constitutes a national emergency. I?m offering an approach to change America?s direction away from death and disintegration and toward life and social cohesiveness.?

Already this Congress, Kucinich has introduced HR 808 and HR 676?two bills that directly relate to the events of Blacksburg.  HR 808, legislation to establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, addresses the issue of domestic violence, gang violence, and violence in the schools, which is reflected in the current homicide rates. HR 808 has 62 cosponsors.

?The bill provides hope for a transformation through education of our children in principles of nonviolence and support for existing community groups and professionals whose dedication would be empowered by a national commitment to peace and nonviolence,? Kucinich said.

A recent study indicates that many perpetrators of murder had histories of mental illness. The lack of parity for mental healthcare remains one of the most serious deficiencies in healthcare in the United States ? the system has long been lacking in substantive support of mental health. HR 676, Medicare for All, would establish a universal not-for-profit healthcare system, which would provide full and comprehensive mental healthcare. More than 14,000 physicians support HR 676 and it is cosponsored by 63 Members of Congress.

Kucinich is currently drafting legislation that would ban the purchase, sale, transfer, or possession of handguns by civilians. A gun buy-back provision will be included in the bill.

?America is being engulfed in violence every day. Let?s show them we have the wisdom and the courage to come from our hearts to meet this challenge,? Kucinich said.

Print version of this document

[KBCraig]

LawDog has posted a couple of good rants this week.

http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2007/04/meditations-on-gun-control.html

http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2007/04/we-license-cars-yackyackyack.html

[aries]

God I'd rather a hawk republican vehemently opposed to gay marriage and immigration won in 2008 than someone who wouldn't veto a national handgun ban.
really, someone who would reinstate the draft, even, to keep fighting in iraq.

[MaineShark]

How someone feels about guns and other weapons almost always tells you all you need to know about whether you can deal with that person.

Assuming sanity (big leap, sometimes), anyone who is opposed to your ability to defend yourself from attack can have only one reason: because that person plans to attack you (or hire others to do so) and wants you defenseless.

If someone doesn't want to render you defenseless, there's a good chance you may be able to work out some sort of deal, even if it's just "leave me alone."

Joe

[powerchuter]

How someone feels about guns and other weapons almost always tells you all you need to know about whether you can deal with that person.

Assuming sanity (big leap, sometimes), anyone who is opposed to your ability to defend yourself from attack can have only one reason: because that person plans to attack you (or hire others to do so) and wants you defenseless.

If someone doesn't want to render you defenseless, there's a good chance you may be able to work out some sort of deal, even if it's just "leave me alone."

Joe

I loudly AGREE!

What a bunch of losers and nut jobs those anti self-defense idiots are...

Actually, nothing would throw this country into massive upheaval more than such a ban...

Perhaps that's what we need to rid the nation of the many worthless politicians and lawyers...

I still say the best investments anyone can make are blued steel and lead...

Pull, Point, and Press...
Repeat as necessary...

[cyberdoo78]

Now I really want a gun ban. I would love to see how fast Mr. and Mrs. Gun Grabber's head gets snapped off by the whiplash.

I for one don't promote the idea of violence to solve problems. I would rather talk to someone and come to an agreement. It shall be noticed however that certain people and governments don't want to operate this way, so they choose to initiate violence. At some point they may decide they have had enough of my non-violent means and decide I'm not worth the effort and throw me in jail for life, or kill me.

If we can't come to an agreement, then let us solve our problems using the old ways. Today that would be handguns at noon, personally I'd rather it be at dusk or at midnight, I'm a night owl, anyways a 24 hour cool down period prior to the 'trial'. The rules are simple: one round each, stand back to back, take ten steps on a third party's count, turn and fire. If I die, then I was wrong, if I'm injured then I was half right, if I'm missed then we are both right, if I missed then we are both right, if you're injured then I'm half right, if I kill you then I'm right.

I think the possibility of losing ones life would make any rational person decide that they would take a long look at if they were right or wrong and decide its not worth dieing over. Of course the flip side is that gun training schools would be everywhere.

I wouldn't mind the situation of the Browns, so long as the Fed's kept their end up. "Stay on your property forever, or we will arrest you!" I'd ask, can I get that in writing?

KBCraig, I love this guy's blog, I've added to my list of great reading!

[supperman15]

A person is smart. People are dumb.

[penguins4me]

A person is smart. People are dumb.

I dunno about that. Tom Plate not only believes that inanimate objects can take possession of a human body to work its will, but ALSO that Psy-Cho used the Glock 15 and the Walther 22 to bludgeon all thirty-two murdered students to death:

These students were not killed by a Korean, they were killed by a 9 mm handgun and a .22-caliber handgun.

Actually, Tom, the mortal injuries the victims sustained were caused by a chunk of copper and lead moving at or above 1,000 feet per second impacting their bodies. The bullets, Tom, not the guns (not the cartridges, either). Of course, without Phy-Cho, the guns, cartridges, and bullets are completely inert and harmless.

[cyberdoo78]

Of course, without Phy-Cho, the guns, cartridges, and bullets are completely inert and harmless.

If only that could be said about stupid people.

[penguins4me]

Of course, without Phy-Cho, the guns, cartridges, and bullets are completely inert and harmless.

If only that could be said about stupid people.

Oh, right you are! Let's ban all guns!

Whoops!

No problem, ban all explosive powders, petroleum fuels, and fertilizers!

Whoops!

Erm, yes, let's ban all pointy things, too!

Whoops!

D'oh! Fine, ban all motorized means of conveyance!

Whoops!

Ack! Man, people are dangerous! ... Okay, I've got it this time!

Welcome to your new home! Sing it with me! "O'er the laaaaand of the freeeee, and the hooome of the... brave!"

[MaineShark]

Speaking of insane notions...

Other crazy folks are at it, too.

Joe

[error]

The problem here is that, for all the arms we have, America is largely a disarmed society already. Almost no one openly carries, and relatively few carry concealed.

[powerchuter]

I'm keeping my Sig well oiled and ready...that way, I can pick off the nutjob liberals without too much trouble.

That sounds great Scott!
Welcome to JRS Superior Defensive Force Institute of New Hampshire and Planet Earth!
(JRS=Joe, Rob, and Scott...lol)

Pull, Point, and Press...
Repeat as necessary...

Must Read Books!
Unintended Consequences by John Ross
Enemies Foreign and Domestic by Matthew Bracken

[Pat McCotter]

Speaking of insane notions...

The Canadians are at it, too.

Joe

Where did the "Canadians" come from in that OpEd? It is from the Toledo (Ohio) Blade.

Here are some responses to the letter:

Did columnist forget about Constitution?
Having just read Dan Simpson's April 25 column on the disarming of America, I can only think of one question: Where exactly does he think he lives? I believe he spent way too much time as a "diplomat" in other countries around the world and perhaps he is under the illusion that he is in Red China or Communist Russia.

Here in America we have a document called the Constitution, which grants us some basic rights. That is for all people - not just those in the media, as Mr. Simpson would have you believe. His suggestions on how to go about disarming the population of the U.S. totally throw out the Second and Fourth amendments to the Constitution. He may want to believe that the people do not have the right to bear arms, but many brilliant scholars much more versed on constitutional law than he is have affirmed that the right does exist!

Randomly stopping people in the streets, or invading our homes or property, without just cause in search of legally possessed weapons flies in the face of the freedom against unlawful search and seizure. Can Mr. Simpson really believe that the people of the United States are going to idly stand by and allow this wholesale assault on our rights to go unanswered? Perhaps Mr. Simpson would be better off in a country less giving of rights to its citizens. Of course, he might have to give up his right to print his opinions.

He should Google "Amendment to the Constitution." It's so easy even a journalist can do it!

Mark Elmore
Maumee

A gun control plan already in the works
The holes in Dan Simpson's [gun control] plan are so numerous it's hard to know where to begin, but don't worry, it's already in the works. H.R. 1022, introduced by Carolyn McCarthy (D., N.Y.), goes a long way toward what he suggests. This bill makes the Clinton era gun ban seem meek by comparison.

Scott Franklin
Chalmette Drive

'Disarming America' hit an all-time low
As I read Dan Simpson's column on "Disarming America" I decided The Blade has sunk to a new low. His views on disarmament remind me of what power hungry dictators like Sadam Hussein or Adolf Hitler did to certain groups of their own people. He in my view should be labeled a pervert of the U.S. Constitution as, surely, with his views we would no longer have a First or Fourth amendment.

The students and teachers at Blacksburg were disarmed by their own local government. Had they not, I think it could have been stopped or the tragedy greatly reduced by an armed person legally carrying a firearm. If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have them.

Jim Szych
Bennett Road

Only criminals would have guns
I read Dan Simpson's column in which he described what he would do to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands. His suggestions and methods would be comical if he weren't so serious. He recommends that no person be allowed to keep a firearm in their home and suggests random searches to enforce such laws. I assume he doesn't mind ignoring the Second (which was further supported by the U.S. Court of Appeals in March) and Fourth amendments to the Constitution.

He also proposes fines and jail sentences for those convicted of illegally possessing firearms. I actually support this recommendation, as do most others ? which is why it is already the law. It is already a crime for most felons to own firearms or for anyone to possess one through illegal means. He must think the government is really going to enforce his new law. I'm sure that criminals will also turn in their firearms during the suggested three-month amnesty period after the laws take effect.

The most disturbing thing about his plan is the result. It will leave criminals with guns and the law-abiding unarmed. As fine of a job as the police do, it is very difficult to prevent crime before it happens. The only way to protect oneself will be to dial 9-1-1 and wait. Unfortunately, help sometimes comes too late, as was the case with the 32 Virginia Tech victims.

Ty Henry
Monroe

Column offensive and preposterous
Dan Simpson's April 25 column was one of the most ridiculous and offensive contributions to the Toledo area community that The Blade has ever had the nerve to publish. Of course, we're not really surprised that the enlightened Blade would push the envelope of common sense and put such leftist, extremist, political garbage in print. But someone please slap this dangerous liberal awake from his communist-fascist hallucinations.

His polluted political thinking has resulted in an utterly stupid, preposterous rant which is the most un-American article ever printed in the mainstream press - even for the permanently politically left-bent Blade. This guy was a diplomat? For which country or dictatorship? Certainly not the good ol' U.S. of A.

Has this Toledo Blade Bolshevik ever read the Constitution? Has he ever heard of the Bill of Rights? This sort of twisted, absurd leftist mentality is right out of the Democratic Party playbook - the people are not responsible enough to think and act for themselves. We are a nation at war and this freedom-challenged simpleton wants to take everyone's guns and send Gun Police into the neighborhoods. Think about that the next time you vote.

Edward S. Popkoski
Cloister Road

There's a name for 'special' police squad
I am responding to Dan Simpson's column advocating the wholesale confiscation of firearms. Mr. Simpson stated, "Special squads of police would be formed and trained to carry out the work. Then, on a random basis to permit no advance warning, city blocks and stretches of suburban and rural areas would be cordoned off and searches carried out in every business, dwelling, and empty building."

Mr. Simpson, I have a suggested name for these "special squads of police." How about we call them "gestapo"?

Rick Troha
North Olmsted, Ohio