From: [ad 017] at [cleveland.Freenet.Edu] (Raymond Francel)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Officer's Point of View on Gun Ban
Date: 11 May 1994 08:16:36 -0400

As a police officer in one of our housing authorities which is famed for
gun crimes, drive-by shootings, gang activities, etc.... I wanted to add
my opinion of the gun ban.

I think it is a fine example of idiocy in the government.

We all hear stats of all these assault weapons out there in the streets, 
killing people.  WHAT A JOKE!  I have been an officer for a few years now, 
in a very high crime area.  Within our 100 man department, I can only recall
one actual assault weapon used or confiscated  in a crime.  I have spoken
with veteran officers, one of 18 years.  He stated that in all of his
career, he can only recall of 4 actual assault weapons being used.
The actual guns of choice by the criminal element (at least in my 
jurisdiction) are cheap handguns (E.G. Star, American Arms, and a plethera
of others).  Gun banning will solve NOTHING at all.

I'd like to know where the statistics of all of these so called AW crimes
come from.  

In my opinion, if you want to kill someone you arent going to follow the laws
to begin with.  You will do it whether you use a gun or not.

The problem doesnt lie in the guns, it lies in the minds of the criminals.

It's a sad day in the USA when a law abiding citizen is punished for someones
idea of a political victory.
                                               Ray