Maybe i can get Mr. Cook to answer this question will the gun law in America 2000 be like Kennesaw every home must by law have at least one firearm? Will there be a new gun law that says you have to defend yourself? Low crime in this small town says it works. Do not break in my home to steal my food or gold because i do not know how to dial 911 but i do know how to send you to hell in a hurry! A woman needs to learn how to use a gun to defend her home. It may mean your life in an post 2000 world. A y2k question. New York without a gun you will be dead. Everyone may need a gun just to go to the store and get back home safe. Will you be a victum?

-- Bubba (Badhabbit@water.com), December 19, 1998

Answers

In Switzerland every household gets issued full auto rifles and ammo and training. There's no standing army. Low crime.

-RC

-- runway cat (runway_cat@hotmail.com), December 19, 1998.

How come the Swiss with their full auto rifles don't have kids and adults going nuts and mowing down fast food joints and schools? Could it be training and respect for guns?

-- Bill (bill@microsoft.com), December 19, 1998.

also the de-mythologizing of firearms due to common exposure. Right now the unfortunate truth is that many urban dwellers' only exposure to firearms is through the massive distortions of the media.

Arlin Adams

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), December 19, 1998.

Believe it or not

About 1980 or so there was a big 'ban the evil guns' push. Some group of 'antis' took out big ads in a bunch of newspapers listing European countries that had very low murder rates, and giving gun restriction as a reason. Kid you not, Switzerland was on the list. Actually had what I was drinking run out my nose because I was so shocked I gagged - shocked that anyone could be that ignorant of the subject they were promoting I mean.

-- Paul Davis (davisp1953@yahoo.com), December 20, 1998.

What's interesting is that the focus of debate is always on inanimate objects (e.g. guns or ammo) rather than the culture, people, training, and attitudes. In Japan, full edge-holding swords require a permit and license. Just like guns in many places in the US. People training in Iaido (sword meditation) must use a no-edge sword until they reach a certain level and get local police permission. Their extreme controls on swords make us laugh.

But knives are just as lethal as handguns. Yet everybody has 'em lying around. Next time your neighbor stops by for tea, leave your Glock 21 lying out on the tea table. Observe reaction. Another neighbor, leave the turkey carving knife out in the same place. Observe reaction. Equally lethal, I kid you not. (if not convinced, please watch the video Surviving Edged Weapons and attend a professional edged defensive tool training session.

-RC

-- Runway Cat (runway_cat@hotmail.com), December 20, 1998.

"This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future!"-- Adolph Hitler, 1935

-- Damian Solorzano (oggy1@webtv.net), December 20, 1998.

Whats the most heavily armed (per capita) country in the world? Switzerland

I was in Israel some years ago and it was common to see teenagers on a date both carrying full auto Uzis. Never saw an Israeli teenager goof around or "play" with a weapon. Training counts.

-- RD. ->H (drherr@erols.com), December 20, 1998.

Look for the suspension of the Second Ammendment by June of next year. Look for it to be suspended earlier in any areas that the Nat'l Guard may be deployed.

This will be done to "preserve the safety of everyone in this difficult time".

Urban governments and the Federal Government DO NOT WANT an armed citizenry, period. It threatens their hold on absolute power. This is of course WHY the Second Ammendment exists in the first place, but we have moved steadily in the last several years towards banning the private ownership of firearms.

Put simply, the government would rather have a population dependant on them for it's survival than for us to be self-sufficient. Case-in- point: welfare.

Mark my words...it will be a reality. Whether through economic, direct or confiscatory methods, private ownership will be deemed criminal in-nature against the state.

-- INVAR (gundark@aol.com), December 20, 1998.

It seems to me that needing a gun depends on what area you're in. If you are in an urban area, definitely yes. If you are waaay out in the boonies, it's your choice, but you probably won't need it.

I live in a semi-urban area (5 miles away from city of 30K) out in the country a bit, and I do expect to need to be able to defend myself.

I doubt many people would want to screw with me, when I go to the store to barter/buy, post Y2k. Carrying a CAR-15, pistol, and wearing armor, most thugs will look elsewhere for easier pickings. :) :)

I believe that the people who need guns the most (the urban dwellers) will have the least training or familiarity though.

-- Bill (billclo@hotmail.com), December 20, 1998.

There won't be time for new laws when the break down happens. Look for the more restrictive laws afterward. I know for a fact that Firefighters and law enforcement folks are restricted from entering areas that are experiencing riots. Just think, will the police and fireman show up for work or will they stay home and protect their own? Better prepare to defend yourselves and your families. All in all I see a partial breakdown coming instead of a full collapse. That could make it worse on the city folks and us hillbillies may not see that much change. But, if the banks shut down then katy bar the door. Nobody will be exempt. PS, all you gold hoarders beware. If you come see me needing some 7.62 NATO or some beans, what happens if we can't or won't make change. Having a gold coin is like trying to buy a tank of gas with a three hundred dollar bill.

-- C S H (1codo@river-valley.com), December 20, 1998.

Don't expect a little thing like Y2K to interfere with all the control freaks, do-gooders, bleeding hearts, and candy-asses' campaign to prevent the average person the means to defend himself. Especially to defend himself against government minions and lackeys.

-- cosmo (cosmo@selfdefense.com), December 20, 1998.