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The following article is from the March 1992 issue of the PROponent,
the monthly newsletter published by The Peoples Rights Organization
(PRO), a pro gun, pro constitutional rights group based in Columbus,
Ohio.

As a member of the PRO -- Electronic Information Committee,
I am posting this article for information only. Questions or
comments may be directed to:

PEOPLES RIGHTS ORGANIZATION
5 E. Long St., Suite 412
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 268-0122

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(Begin article "PRO-CENTRAL MARCH REPORT" from March 1992 PROponent)

 
PRO-CENTRAL MARCH REPORT

     I want to bring to your attention an article in the Columbus
Dispatch written by John F. Wolfe, publisher, president and CEO and
edited by Robert B. Smith.  In big bold print it read "GUNNED DOWN"
then in slightly smaller print it said, "Police campaign to get
weapons is worthy."  Then it begins, "In a city that recorded 148
murders last year, any step taken to reduce violence ought to be
given a chance." [Editors: Any step?!!  Gestapo?  Public Hangings?
Shut down newspapers and TV stations that constantly show children
violent behavior?]
     If you haven't heard of a program called "Stop the Tears" It
is apparently something dreamed up by Columbus Police Chief James
G. Jackson. [Ed. We really don't think so, see our analysis in our
lead story Turn 'em In.  To support our position, compare the Wolfe
(mover and shaker) approach to the almost apologetic manner the
Chief faced the cameras, opening with a statement that the program
would have no effect on crime.]  It seems the chief wasn't
satisfied with just taking shotguns from police cars leaving his
officers under-armed, but is asking the public to join the ranks of
easy victims by turning in their guns.
     You pay $300, $400, $500, or even $600 dollars for a handgun
and now they ask you to turn it in for nothing more than the good
feeling you get from having destroyed an "instrument of death."
That's not all, people are being asked to turn in those they have
seen with guns.  Is it just me or does this sound a bit Hitlerish?
[Ed.  Hitler had programs to get kids to report on the activities
of their parents and neighbors to report on each other.] The
article also said (somewhat surprisingly for an anti-gun paper),
"people keep guns at home to protect themselves , which is
certainly their right."  Before you cheer too much, read the next
line.  It reads, "But statistics show that guns in the home more
often lead to tragic accidents than they do to routing intruders."
Who knows if the Dispatch is flat out lying about the statistics or
if they are really so gullible as to believe it. [Ed.  Note, this
is the standard HCI line, but compare the approximately 1500 fatal
gun accidents with the 600,000 times per year that studies have
shown that criminal activity is thwarted by a citizen with a gun.]
     I don't think anybody denies that gun accidents happen, but
the media fails to report that since the NRA started teaching gun
safety, gun accidents have decreased 44% at last report.  You can
be sure that the media will never give the NRA bogey man a pat on
the back.  Also the Dispatch fails to mention that more education
[like PRO's safety classes] could reduce the number of firearm
accidents still further.  But don't expect to read that in any
newspaper except Gunweek.
     The idea is that somehow the "tears" program will get the bad
guys to turn in their guns.  Yeah, right!  To say that a lot of
anti-gunners have lost touch with reality is putting it mildly.
Programs such as this only give the bad guys more victims to choose
from.
     Lastly, the editorial quoted chief Jackson as saying, "People
who carry guns are looking for an excuse to use them."  I wonder if
the Chief includes himself [and his new custom 9mm handgun] and his
fellow police officers in that statement. [Ed. it seems there are
some police around the country who can't be trusted with
flashlights and batons let alone guns.  But it is these few bad
apples that give all the good cops a bad name the same way a few
gun wielding punks give all law-abiding gun owners a bad rap.]
     Part of the purpose of PRO is to point out to people who don't
know guns like we do, what's bull and what's not.  If you come
across someone who is confused, be it man, woman or young person,
take them aside and use truth to calmly explain away the media
lies.  Gently lead them away from the rampant emotionalism in the
media to an understanding that guns are nothing more than simple
machines.  In the same way that a knife in the hands of a surgeon
can heal while one in the hands of a criminal can kill, so can a
gun also save a life or take one.  The same principle holds true
for cars, saws, bathtubs and many, many other machines and devices.
Finally teach them that all the numerous illegal acts with guns and
cars they see constantly in the media do not represent responsible
behavior.  Teach those who even show just a little interest in
firearms about safety.  Remember, even if they might never own one
themselves, there is a reasonable chance that they might come
across a firearm someday in a situation where they might need to
handle it.  Give them the "golden rules" of firearm safety:
1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3. Always keep your firearm unloaded until ready to shoot.
     There are of course more safety rules, but it is the first
three that are the most important.  Anyone who wishes to learn more
about safety education should contact PRO or PRO-Central where NRA
certified instructors can help teach you about Firearm safety and
even show you how to become a certified instructor yourself.
     March 8th was our first meeting at the VFW Post 1516 in
Lancaster.  I didn't know I would be running the meeting until a
half-hour beforehand and was totally unprepared, nevertheless it
turned out to be a good meeting.  The room we get to use is very
nice and I would again like to thank Bud Lynn for helping us get
this facility for our use.
     The PRO-Central survey of candidates running for office in
Fairfield Co. has been sent out and some have been returned.  PRO
members in Fairfield County may be interested in attending a
meeting to be held April 12th at the Terry Webb VFW in Lancaster
where 32 Fairfield Co. candidates will be graded on their Second
Amendment positions.
     With that I'll close for this month with one last remark:
VOTE!  It's our only means of protecting our rights.

     Think Safety and Good Shooting'
     Anthony Bussart, Vice Chairman PRO-Central.

 
(End article "PRO-CENTRAL MARCH REPORT" from March 1992 PROponent)

This is from:
    dennis@bluemoon.rn.com
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