Some Iowans arm themselves for Y2K, for a BITR

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Say its not so in peaceful Iowa

First-time buyers are warned not to own guns they're not prepared to use.

By MAGGIE O'BRIEN Register Staff Writer 12/13/1999

Some Iowans preparing for possible chaos caused by the Y2K computer bug are going further than buying generators and stockpiling food in the event of a Y2K emergency.

They're arming themselves.

"They're worried about the unknown," said Bob Sanderson, owner of Ye Old Gun Shoppe in Denison. "Cities have been preparing for this, so why shouldn't people?"

Gun sales are not up significantly, but dealers in Iowa say some people are buying firearms to ease their Y2K fears. These customers want to protect themselves and their belongings, dealers say, because they worry about looting during power outages, computer shutdowns or other problems.

The Year 2000 computer bug stems from programming in older computers that used only two digits for the year. These machines could read 2000 as 1900 and malfunction.

Some of those buying guns to protect themselves at New Year's are first-time buyers.

"I ask them, 'Are you willing to fire at an adversary? If not, then don't buy a gun," " said John Lawrence of Hiawatha, who owns a store called the Cannon Shop. He said most of his Y2K customers - he described the number as a handful in the past couple of months - have purchased medium-caliber handguns and shotguns. One person, he said, bought a huge amount of ammunition in anticipation for Y2K.

For a first-time gun buyer interested in owning a Y2K weapon, "I would recommend no larger than a 9 millimeter," Lawrence said.

Sanderson said he has sold handguns and shotguns to more than 50 Y2K-worried customers. He said he also has sold a few assault-style military weapons.

"The presence of a firearm will deter crime," Sanderson said.

Rep. Minnette Doderer, a gun-control activist, is astounded by the idea of people buying Y2K guns. Doderer, an Iowa City Democrat who has served in the Iowa Legislature for 33 years, has long fought to strengthen Iowa's gun laws.

"They're putting themselves in great danger," she said. "I don't think Y2K changes somebody's right to shoot somebody, and I haven't read anything (about Y2K) that has advocated buying a gun."

Ellen Gordon, the director of the Iowa Division of Emergency Management, said that it is not necessary to be armed to prepare for Y2K. Some metropolitan areas have experienced looting during crises, but that's unlikely in Iowa, Gordon said.

"We have a solid law enforcement here; let the law enforcement handle it," Gordon advised.

Some people are wary of what the government is telling them about Y2K, gun dealers said. If Y2K can be handled so easily, then why all the fuss?

"People just don't trust the government about Y2K," Sanderson said. "They tell you, 'Don't worry about Y2K,' and then they tell you another thing. People see these movies about that sort of thing, and it scares the hell out of you."

Jack Smith, owner of Jack Smith Gun Sales in Des Moines, said he tells customers wanting to purchase a Y2K gun that Jan. 1 is going to be no different than the day before.

"I'm probably not a very good businessman for that," he said. "They're not sure what's going to happen. The most rational people have figured out that the worst thing that will happen is that their lights or phone won't work."

Sanderson said he expects business to increase next month - but he isn't counting on sales to increase. "What us gun dealers believe is that after Jan. 1, all those people are going to be bringing their guns back wanting to sell them."

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), December 13, 1999

Answers

"the worst thing that will happen is that their lights or phone won't work."

Well, yeah, that's probably the worst thing that will happen ON JANUARY 1. Beyond that date, lots and lots of even worse things can happen. Don't take Y2K advice from people who obviously haven't given the possibilities much thought.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), December 13, 1999.


Yeah well don't ever take gun advice from those who have never given the possibilities much thought either.

-- (so@there. com), December 13, 1999.

>>>Rep. Minnette Doderer, a gun-control activist, is astounded by the idea of people buying Y2K guns. Doderer, an Iowa City Democrat who has served in the Iowa Legislature for 33 years, has long fought to strengthen Iowa's gun laws.

"They're putting themselves in great danger," she said. "I don't think Y2K changes somebody's right to shoot somebody, and I haven't read anything (about Y2K) that has advocated buying a gun."

Ellen Gordon, the director of the Iowa Division of Emergency Management, said that it is not necessary to be armed to prepare for Y2K. Some metropolitan areas have experienced looting during crises, but that's unlikely in Iowa, Gordon said.

"We have a solid law enforcement here; let the law enforcement handle it," Gordon advised. <<<

Oh yeah...these two dim bulbs exhibit a strong understanding of some thug kicking in your door at 3am. While you fumble around to call the police, the bad guy simply murders you. Law enforcement cannot protect the average citizen. Never could, never will.

My policy is very clear. Break into my home and threaten my life and I will give you a brand new, large caliber bodily orifice...in your forehead.

-- Irving (irvingf@myremarq.com), December 13, 1999.


Guns, in Iowa?

Well if i ever. Shot a 12 gauge at a phesant, or squirl, or rabbit in Iowa.... I thought it was a right of passage....2nd ammmendment lives in Iowa.

I must be true, I did shoot those guns, and I did hunt in Iowa...With the farmers permission.

ASK FIRST, then shoot..(if you do not own the land)

It is polite (and the farmer will not shoot you)

Things will get worse before they get better...

-- Helium (Heliumavid@yahoo.com), December 13, 1999.


Iowans who are arming themselves would be well advised to take a course on the legal use of deadly force in the state. The laws here are already extremely tough and, should the worst happen, saying "but I didn't know" is not going to make your prison sentence any shorter.

Simply put, deadly force may never be used by citizens in Iowa to defend property. Even where such use may be justified to protect life, the criteria is extremely strict. For example, if you reasonably had the opportunity to run away, but chose to shoot instead, you will go to jail for a long, long time.

Next, even if you are acquitted on any legal charges, you can be sued by your intruder's estate.

Many firearms are illegal - for example, a shotgun must have a barrel length of no less than 16 inches AND an overall length of at least 26 inches. Burglar 'traps' are also highly illegal.

The are many additional laws and regulations you should be familiar with - this post is in NO way a complete list of such regulations.

If you choose to ignore these laws, Y2K may end up being the least of your troubles.

You can disagree with these laws if you choose, but, short of total meltdown, you will still be held responsible for following them.

For more information, you can contact your local sheriff's office. Inquire about Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) training. I'm not suggesting you carry a concealed weapon, quite the opposite - but these courses are usually a very good place for learning about the laws of the state of Iowa with respect to the use of deadly force. You can take the course without actually applying for a CWP.

General firearms training and safety courses may be provided by a local NRA or Izaak Walton chapters.

I support the right of citizens to possess firearms. I also support taking them away from people who choose not to act responsibly. In short, if you didn't start learning this information several months ago, now is not the time to be making this decision. You and your family will be much safer by focusing on food, water, heat and shelter.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), December 14, 1999.



~snick!~ [locking the barrel of my new shotgun into the stock] ~twisttwisttwist~ [of the tightening knob on the front] You need to check your length requirements....18" is the minimum Federal length of a shotgun barrel.

Also, if the phones and stuff goes out...who ya gonna call?

Third...I hope not to have to shoot anyone. But...they kick in my door, I'm assuming danger/life-threatening scenarious...no one kicks in your door to borrow some sugar.

I'm in Iowa...for another day...anyone needing help will get it as long as they are civil about it. After that...well, I fade away........

-- Satanta (StillOfTheNight@zeroHour.com), December 14, 1999.


Bzzzzt... Sorry, simply kicking in your door does not constitute legal justification for the use of deadly force in the state of Iowa.

This specific example is used in the CWP class I attended along with the names of Iowans currently sitting in jail for making this bad assumption. Said kicker may only be after property.

Again, I'm not defending this law but if you live here and intend to protect yourself and family with a firearm, you need to be aware of it. You will most certainly be held responsible for it.

Shoot the kicker and go directly to jail, do not pass GO....

I've got to wonder about that shotgun length thing though. If state and federal law disagree, I suppose you'd be charged under whatever statute is most convenient at the time.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), December 14, 1999.


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