I don't claim that all the information here is true, I don't know.  This was sent to me in an email, and even if not ALL of it is true, it sure gives a lot of thought for the brain ...

I was going to add this onto Jonny's thread about REX-84, but then thought it deserved its own thread for discussion.

Here is what was sent to me:

A little Gun History Lesson

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control.  From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
---------------------------
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated
------------------------------
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
----------------------------
Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million 'educated' people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
-----------------------------
Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.
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It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by their own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. The first year results are now in:
Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent

Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent

Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!

In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!

It will never happen here? I bet the Aussies said that too!

While the Australian figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed.

There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the ELDERLY. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in successfully ridding Australian society of guns. The Australian experience and the other historical facts above prove it.
------------------------------
You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information.

Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.
------------------------------
Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late!

The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind him of this history lesson.

With Guns............We Are "Citizens".
Without Them........We Are "Subjects".
------------------------------
During W.W.II the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were ARMED!

Note: Admiral Yamamoto who crafted the attack on Pearl Harbor had attended Harvard U 1919-1921 & was Naval Attaché to the U. S. 1925-28. Most of our Navy was destroyed at Pearl Harbor & our Army had been deprived of funding & was ill prepared to defend the country.

It was reported that when asked why Japan did not follow up the Pearl Harbor attack with an invasion of the U. S. Mainland, his reply was that he had lived in the U. S. & knew that almost all households had guns.


Fairly thought provoking, eh?

To our Aussie friends, is what is written, above, true?

Chuck

great post chuck. my thought would be that banning guns is not going to uninvented them.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

the second has nothing to do with hunting. (sportsman for bush)

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No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.

Thomas Jefferson

I think he said it best.

“… There’s no such thing as a good gun. There’s no such thing as a bad gun. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a very dangerous thing. A gun in the hands of a good person is no danger to anyone except the bad guys. …” - Charlton Heston Meet the Press 1997

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Also during these timespans, weird oppressive leaders prevailed, which had much to do with the killing.



Quote:

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control.  From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

This coincided exactly with Stalin's leadership of Russia from 1929 until his death in 1953.



Quote:

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

Of course this overlaps a big idiot's time.



Quote:

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Here, Idi Amin's bloody reign.



Quote:

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million 'educated' people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Pol Pot's time.



Quote:

China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated

Mao won China finally in 1949.  Opposition was dealt with shortly afterwards.

  On the other hand Kevin, which three cities in the US have the tightest firearm controls? Washington D.C., NY, and LA. And which have the highest firearm related homicides and crimes? Washington D.C., NY and LA.
  There are a lot of very nice people who feel that it isn't a good idea that I have a firearm in my home. I a former Marine Combat Arms Specialist. Have a somewhat different opinion.
[smiley=smokin.gif]

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The 20th century may go down as one of the bloodiest ever.  I just think it's going way too far to sum the deaths during the periods of the worst leaders and link it due to a gun control factor.  There have also been many deaths through history with armed rebellion and opposition.  
 

Kevin_M wrote on Dec 31^st, 2008 at 9:48pm:

I just think it's going way too far to sum the deaths during the periods of the worst leaders and link it due to a gun control factor.

Wait a few years, bro.....its coming! ;)

ClusterChuck wrote on Dec 31^st, 2008 at 8:10pm:

To our Aussie friends, is what is written, above, true?

Well for starters, the gun buy-back occurred 12 years ago. Not one year ago as stated and there's rather a big difference.

Here's a verifiable article that might suggest other 'facts' have the legitimacy of a fetid dingo's kidney -

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Welcome to Oz, where we can still sit on the veranda to drink our beer.

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They can't take my gun. If they do I won't care. ::)
From my cold dead hands >:(
the bbz
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OK, thanks to AussieBrian, I have found out that the part about Australia fits into the category, popularized by Mark Twain, but generally attributed to Benjamin Disraeli:  
There are lies, damn lies, and then statistics ...

While the numbers aren't necessarily wrong, the way they are presented are VERY misleading ...

Thanks to AussieBrian, here is a link that explains it all:
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I am sorry for those of you down under for any slander that may have been spread about you ... At least we now know the truth.

Thanks for clearing that up, buddy!

Chuck

No offence taken, Chuckles, but if they'd tried to take away our beer the story might be different.

It's funny ya'll bring this up at this time... I spent most of yesterday "teaching" a 13 year old from Houston (great nephew visiting the farm). We had a great day and the kid is a real great shot (good eye).

His Dad is tring to figure out what kind of "hunting" rifle he's getting him for Christmas next year.

I don't plan to give up one damn gun of mine.... and I DO plan for all my "kids" to learn to shoot them "responsibily". Mr. Heston had a point.

Taking guns away from "good" people is NOT the answer to a damn thing. And bad people can get guns anywhere, so the powers that be need to get over it. Some things they CANNOT control.

Hugs BD

Kevin_M wrote on Dec 31^st, 2008 at 8:47pm:

Also during these timespans, weird oppressive leaders prevailed, which had much to do with the killing. Quote: In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control.  From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. This coincided exactly with Stalin's leadership of Russia from 1929 until his death in 1953. [quote]Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

Of course this overlaps a big idiot's time.



Quote:

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Here, Idi Amin's bloody reign.



Quote:

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million 'educated' people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Pol Pot's time.



Quote:

China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated

Mao won China finally in 1949.  Opposition was dealt with shortly afterwards.
[/quote]


If gun control wasn't established in these countries, during the times stated (and probably established by the reigning killer leaders at the time), I wonder if there would have been less people exterminated, due to being able to have arms with which to protect themselves. Because it's not the country that does the banning, but the leader in charge at the time.

Two of these leaders decimated and divided Poland, a country which these leaders could not previously exercise gun control.  Armed resistance was dealt with harshly by these leaders, many millions dying as prisoners, entire cities leveled.  Prior to the stated date for gun contol in China, Japan invaded Manchuria enslaving the peasants.