By Dale Mullin
From time to time, even dedicated gun owners are led to believe that if they would give up a few of their rights, the anti-gunners would be placated and we can go back to discussing the relative merits of the .270 versus the .30-06 (or 9MM versus .45). In those instances, it would behoove all of us to go back and study a little history.Prior to the outbreak of World War II, the European powers had the opportunity to stand firm against Hitler's aggressive moves. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain and Premier Edouard Daladier of France decided that Hitler would be satisfied with some "small" concessions. By sacrificing someone else's rights, they believed that they could have peace. In essence, they ceded parts of Europe to Hitler based on the unfounded belief that appeasement would stave off the wolf. We all know the results.
HCI (Handgun Control Incorporated*) preserves its image for "moderation" by a strategy of gradualism; whatever the level of gun control in a locality, HCI lobbies for ever more stringent measures until eventually gun ownership is effectively banned. Thus, in Congress, HCI's principal proposal was a national seven-day waiting period for handgun purchases; in California where a fourteen-day waiting period already existed, HCI supported Proposition 15, the unsuccessful initiative to outlaw new handgun sales and register all currently owned handguns; in Massachusetts, where all handguns are registered and can only be purchased with a police permit, HCI supported Question 5, the unsuccessful initiative to ban and confiscate all handguns.
Does this sound like an organization which is going to be appeased by small measures? Don't believe for an instant that if they get my gun, they won't then come after yours. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "We must indeed all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." We cannot stand on the sidelines while our rights are whittled away a small piece at a time. If you don't stand up for something, they'll think you'll stand for anything they do.
*Author's Note: This article was written several years ago, prior to Handgun Control Incorporated changing its name to The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The name of the organization has changed, but I believe that their goals and tactics remain the same.
Copyright 2004 by the author, all rights reserved.
The author holding his circa 1840 "Over Fifty Caliber Assault Rifle". If the rifle weren't so deadly, they might let him keep it for a while, but they certainly will have to confiscate the powder, for it is much too dangerous to leave in the hands of ordinary citizens.
Uploaded: 10/6/2004