🚀 go-pugleaf

mjp@austin.ibm.com (Michael Phelps) writes:

>|> I understand that a ban on handguns would merely be a band-aid. That
>|> doesn't change my preference.

> If the goal is to make society safer, clearly the problem to be addressed is
>  violent crime, of all sorts.  Banning handguns isn't gonna solve it - but
>  you already know that!

Of course it won't *solve* it. You won't find any bigger an advocate
of solutions over fixes than me. However, as a temporary measure, I can
think of worse things than a ban on handguns, inaction being one.

> If the goal is to force your views and beliefs on millions of other people...

"Once again, Paul, you have crystallized my thoughts perfectly." -- D.L.

> If you feel that they are just too dangerous for people to own, consider the
>  numbers - there are about 200 million handguns in the US, and about 12000 
>  firearms homicides per year, and 1400 accidental firarms deaths.  That makes
>  firearms safer than automobiles.  

But the difference we both are likely to find more important is that I think
automobiles are useful and you think handguns are useful.
-- 
 Pete Gontier // EC Technology // gurgle@netcom.com