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Received: from bernie.compusmart.ab.ca (bernie.compusmart.ab.ca [199.185.131.34]) by cti13.citenet.net (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id NAA22703 for <jf_avon@citenet.net>; Tue, 15 Dec 1998 13:02:25 -0500 (EST) Received: from remote322.compusmart.ab.ca ([206.75.84.147]:1035 "EHLO compusmart.ab.ca") by mail.compusmart.ab.ca with ESMTP id <409327-12752>; Tue, 15 Dec 1998 10:52:54 -0700 Message-ID: <3676A210.9C6687B8@compusmart.ab.ca> Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 10:53:20 -0700 From: Peter Kearns <kearns@compusmart.ab.ca> Organization: KEARNS & McMURCHY X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.04 [en] (Win95; I) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Canadian Firearms Digest <cdn-firearms-digest@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca>, "Anne Mclellan (Parliament)" <McLellan.A@parl.gc.ca>, Bernard Johnston <johnston@pacific.net.sg>, Bob Burgess <dq2@monarch.net>, Bob Lickacz <firearms@planet.eon.net>, Brad Browne <coffee@ns.sympatico.ca>, Dale Blue <bluedl@telusplanet.net>, David Tomlinson <nfadat@telusplanet.net>, Don Davies <nstn2906@fox.nstn.ca>, Donna Ferollie <donnaferolie@sympatico.ca>, Frank Szojka <dszojka@compusmart.ab.ca>, Frank Williamson <afss@connect.ab.ca>, Garry Breitkreutz <BreitG0@parl.gc.ca>, Gordon Hitchen <acardin@v-wave.com>, Jean-Francois Avon <jf_avon@citenet.net>, Jim Hinter <jhinter@shopnfa.com>, "John St. Amour" <marstar@hawk.igs.net>, LE QUEBECOIS LIBRE <libre@colba.net>, Manuel De La Paz <simonjes@hotmail.com>, Mark Hughes <mkhughe@north.nsis.com>, Pierre Bourque <pierre@achilles.net>, Lorne Gunter <lgunter@thejournal.southam.ca>, Shafer Parker <shaferp@sprynet.com>, Pat & Mike Ryan <theryans@sympatico.ca>, Paul Bennett <paul.bennett1@sympatico.ca>, Paul Rogan <firearms@hypertech.yk.ca>, Peekay <peter@firearms.ab.ca>, Peter Cronhelm <cronhelm@nucleus.com>, Peter Figol <pjfigol@canada.com>, Ken Epp <Epp.K@parl.gc.ca>, Preston Manning <Manning.P@parl.gc.ca>, Jack Ramsay <Ramsay.J@parl.gc.ca>, Deb Grey <Grey.D@parl.gc.ca>, Monty Solberg <Solberg.M@parl.gc.ca>, Raheem Jaffer <Jaffer.R@parl.gc.ca>, "Robin Leech \"SPIDERMAN\"" <robinl@connect.ab.ca>, Tony Bernardo <teebee@sprint.ca> Subject: Anne McLellan's voters reject gun registration... Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-UIDL: ddaaa1595eab8ceea7515c82b013fcca
"The Edmonton Examiner" a local community newspaper, ran an editorial entitled "Gun lobby has a point." In it they accused the "pro-gun" faction of posturing and paranoia, but then went on to say the so called "lobby" is correct in it's assessment of the registry. The paper said, "the government has failed to show how gun registration will reduce crime, which is the sole reason for registration." The newspaper also asked how would knowing that people own rifles deter crimes, while "the new law does nothing to deter the easy access to guns smuggled in from the U.S." Another statement follows, "and of course the criminal element has no interest in registering guns." The editor makes one last telling remark, "So exactly what is the point? Essentially, it is to gather information. All governments love information, the more the better. But there is no proof at all that registering guns deters criminal activity." Sounds like an editor sounding off..... Right? What follows indicates the writer likes to do a little investigative journalism.... The editor then conducted a telephone poll asking the question "ARE YOU IN FAVOUR OF THE GOVERNMENTS GUN REGISTRY PROGRAM? (Remember folks, the constituents of "Idle Annie" had their say in this poll.) The results were 76% AGAINST the registration program with 24% in favour..... Oh dear, Annie..... You'd better hope they change their minds come election time...... Comments from those opposed to the registry, "I have never owned a gun, but I resent this program which smacks of a police state." Another said, "I have yet to undertstand how having the gun registered that killed those students in Montreal registered would have prevented that terrible deed." The last and most telling, "It is simply a way to enable the confiscation of firearms in order to prevent any insurrection or revolt against a government that may be imposing oppressive measures." The usual comments equating registering cars and guns, and the "only one life" bleat came from the 24% who actually liked the registry. One even said "Gun owners have to wait hours to get their guns, instead of minutes. Get over it you big whiny crybabies." (Kinda makes you question the maturity of that one!) The polls are turning in our favour, and they are doing so because we are educating the public. The more they know about the registration process and the costs, the less they like the idea. We have accomplished this without breaking any laws, and without the need to indulge in civil disobedience. If we break (even unjust) laws and engage in publicised acts of civil disobedience then we will lose. The newsmedia will then (rightly) portray us as a bunch of right wing fanatics, and elements of the lunatic fringe. The NFA has proved we can be heard, and that the public is seeing things our way without the need to engage in silly demonstrations. Let's see how far we can go within the law, during the next four years. regards, Peter Kearns NFA Communications Simon says: "Well what about it Annie? What do your spin doctors have to say about a poll that included the people who voted in the last election in Edmonton West? (Weren't you elected to represent the views of the people who voted for you?)........... ===================END FORWARDED MESSAGE===================