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After ten long years the ban on so-called assault weapons has finally expired. I use the phrase "so-called" because the truth is that real assault weapons have been strictly regulated since the National Firearms Act was enacted in the 1930s.
The expiration of the ban does not legalize the sale of machine guns, including fully automatic Uzis, AK-47s, and "street sweeper" shotguns. The expiration of the ban simply means that a few previously outlawed cosmetic features will now be available as options on many weapons. These cosmetic features include things like pistol grips, bayonet lugs and muzzle flash suppressors. The fundamental way these firearms operate will not change; the new weapons will be different from those previously available in appearance only.
Predictions by the gun control lobby that "weapons of war" will now be readily available to terrorists and felons are completely unfounded. Buyers of firearms will still be required to submit to background checks, and in many states, waiting periods. Law abiding citizens will continue to purchase and use firearms in accordance with the law, and felons will continue to ignore the law.
The best way to solve the problem of gun violence is to punish those people who use guns illegally or irresponsibly, and to shut down those very few gun dealers who knowingly sell weapons to prohibited persons and "straw men." Hopefully, once the gun ban lobby realizes that the sky is not falling it will abandon an agenda of penalizing the many for the acts of the few.
Re: Recent terrorism at a Russian school.
Terrorism against children. Who is at fault? What could lead to this happening?
There are simply too many weapons that are too readily available. Without these weapons such large scale attacks against innocents would not be possible. Where do all those RPGs and automatic assault weapons come from? Why are explosives so easy to come by?
Terrorists will not go away. There is no way our government can identify all of them or corral all of them.
The weapons manufacturers must be controlled. There should be limits or quotas as to how many and what types of weapons are manufactured each year. Sales of the most destructive must be allowed only to the military and police. Rifles and shotguns suitable for hunting should be allowed to be sold to those who practice that sport. How many weapons does the world need?
Our weapons manufacturers will say that if they don't manufacture and sell weapons then manufacturers in other countries will make them and will reap the profits thus putting American workers out of jobs. Do we need or want the profits and jobs from this satanic industry?
Re: Presidential debates.
It seems President Bush is attempting to bow out of the middle debate, which would be a town meeting format attended by undecided voters. The official concern is that partisans could pose as undecided voters.
A presidential candidate should be able to field any question from any American citizen whether partisan or undecided. President Bush has been conducting stage-managed events throughout his campaign, and requiring attendants to sign loyalty oaths. Perhaps he fears he will be questioned on his record, something that has been avoided in all of his campaign events to date.
John Kerry has accepted all three debates proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates. I would expect the same from the president. I ask all supporters of the president's candidacy to push him out onto that stage.
The Sept. 9 article W. Va. GOP elector may withhold Bush vote should be an important wakeup message for all of us. The article reports that one of West Virginia's five Republican electors says he might not cast his vote for George Bush to protest the president's policies, no matter what the West Virginia voters may say. Don't look surprised. There is nothing wrong here. This is how the Electoral College system really works!
I am a Democrat and I would love to see Bush defeated, but I shudder to think of what might happen if, somehow, this fellow and a few of his colleagues were able to change the result of an honest election. We can't wait until some weird action like this manages to throw a presidential election into utter chaos. My experience has taught me that if some stupid and foolish event might conceivably occur, sooner or later it will.
The Electoral College is a dangerous and foolish relic of a bygone era that will continue to risk our political and social peace until it is replaced by a straightforward election of the president and vice president by popular vote.
Re: More than words, editorial, Sept. 4.
"These aren't problems; these are marvelous challenges." "It's not all about money." "We need to start thinking a different way." "We need to change the rules that we wrestle with every day." These are more words spoken by Anthony Schembri, secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, at a recent meeting in Miami Lakes.
I have confidence that Schembri's words are sincere. After shining the spotlight on DJJ's woes for several years as an advocate with justice4kids.org, I am so hopeful of DJJ's redirection that I recently joined the ranks of DJJ under Schembri's leadership, as Community Partnership Coordinator for Pinellas and Pasco counties.
Community involvement will help bring positive change while DJJ transforms. Florida Statutes authorize juvenile justice councils/boards in all Florida counties/circuits to address needs of youth at risk of delinquency and to provide advice and direction to DJJ.
It's a new day in DJJ with Secretary Schembri! Visit DJJ's Web site www.djj.state.fl.us
Pinellas/Pasco phone (727) 893-1247.
Re: Player claims uniform was an issue, Sept. 11.
Concerning USF basketball player Andrea Armstrong's allegation that she has a right to dress differently than anyone else suiting up for an NCAA Division 1 basketball game, I wholeheartedly disagree. The NCAA regulates everything concerning participation in all of the sports it governs including the design and wearing of uniforms. None of those regulations are based on religious beliefs, and for her to claim USF discriminated against her by expecting her to wear the appropriate uniform is preposterous.
Of her own free will Armstrong has chosen to follow Islam. As with any religion some sacrifices are expected by the members as a way of symbolizing one's faith. It appears to me that Armstrong must decide what is more important to her - her faith or basketball.