In past months a number of incidents have taken place involving the improper use of guns.  In Alabama an individual shot several people, he did not like, as he went on his killing rampage.  In California a wanted felon out on parole decided he would kill four police officers, instead of going back to jail.  Both of these events were tragic and our hearts go out to the victim's families.  Let it be known that at Wilderness Calls we do not condone such unspeakable acts of terror.  The individual in Alabama obtained his gun legally and the one in California obtained his gun illegally. 

     In 1029, the Soviet Union established gun control.  From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

     In 1011, 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 1048 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

     Guatemala established gun control in1964.  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 20^th Century because of gun control; 56 million.

     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, assaults are up 8.6 percent, 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.  While 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.

         But we say that will never happen here, I bet the Aussies said that too.

     Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.  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.  Admiral Yamamoto who crafted the attack on Pearl Harbor had attended Harvard U 1919-1921 and was Naval Attaché to the U. S. 1925-28.  Most of our Navy was destroyed at Pearl Harbor and our Army had been deprived of funding and 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 liven in the U.S. and knew that almost all households had guns.