Border, not guns, needs securing
January 21st, 2007 by Syd
Jan. 21, 2007 12:00 AM
Regarding “U.S. guns pour into Mexico” (Republic, Tuesday):
Let me try to understand this: A Mexican village is “destroyed” by Mexican criminals using guns illegally taken into Mexico in violation of Mexican law. Therefore, American citizens should surrender an American constitutional right to legally possess a legal firearm in America.
Why don’t we try something new to solve this problem for our Mexican neighbors? Why not secure the border so criminals cannot enter this country and take those guns back to Mexico? After all, it must be the gun’s fault, since I read so many articles about American towns “destroyed” by criminals with guns.
- James Sylvis, Phoenix Source
What could benefit Mexico is more guns
Jan. 18, 2007 12:00 AM
The front-page article Tuesday, “U.S. guns pour into Mexico,” alleges that the 1994 U.S. assault-weapon ban barred the sale of certain types of weapons, including the AR-15.
Actually, the 1994 ban barred the sale of certain weapons (including the AR-15) with specifically prohibited features. You could purchase an AR-15 at any time during the ban.
“Gunmakers also note that in the United States, the crime rate has dropped in recent years despite an increase in the number of guns in civilian hands,” according to the article. I offer an alternative thought: The increase in the number of guns in civilian hands is directly correlated to the decrease in crime rate. An armed society is a polite society.
I suggest that Mexican authorities consider suspending their “much stricter” gun laws so citizens in communities like Zalzapa can arm themselves and resist criminals the next time they ride into town and decide to shoot up the place. That kind of stuff does not happen on that scale here in the United States, and it is because we are armed!
Finally, I wouldn’t put too much stock in observations or opinions from employees of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Remember, these are the folks who brought us Ruby Ridge and Waco!
- R.K. Watkins, Mesa Source