Gunreference1
10-06-2010, 09:26 AM
Gun control
Letter to the Editor
By Alexander M. Martin
Published: Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 23:10
In Monday's Observer ("My cold dead hands", Oct.4), Mr. Kyle Retzloff writes that Nazi Germany's alleged confiscation of private weapons is proof that an armed citizenry can act as a check on tyranny. This is a claim one often hears from pro-gun commentators. The history of armed citizens in modern politics is indeed instructive, but not as Mr. Retzloff suggests.
Armed resistance by isolated individuals is pointless, because a modern state easily crushes such opposition. It happens in our own country with awful regularity: a gunman holes himself up; the police lay siege; the gunman dies. All that, without the government having to deploy a single one of its tanks, fighter bombers, or attack helicopters.
To read the rest of the story click the link below.
http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/gun-control-1.1667126
Steve
Poster's Note: It seems Mr. Martin is employed at the University of Notre Dame. His contact information can be found at http://history.nd.edu/people/all/martin-alexander/.
Letter to the Editor
By Alexander M. Martin
Published: Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 23:10
In Monday's Observer ("My cold dead hands", Oct.4), Mr. Kyle Retzloff writes that Nazi Germany's alleged confiscation of private weapons is proof that an armed citizenry can act as a check on tyranny. This is a claim one often hears from pro-gun commentators. The history of armed citizens in modern politics is indeed instructive, but not as Mr. Retzloff suggests.
Armed resistance by isolated individuals is pointless, because a modern state easily crushes such opposition. It happens in our own country with awful regularity: a gunman holes himself up; the police lay siege; the gunman dies. All that, without the government having to deploy a single one of its tanks, fighter bombers, or attack helicopters.
To read the rest of the story click the link below.
http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/gun-control-1.1667126
Steve
Poster's Note: It seems Mr. Martin is employed at the University of Notre Dame. His contact information can be found at http://history.nd.edu/people/all/martin-alexander/.