Minuteman Monthly Issue 6 (January 2001) We are about to cross a threshold that very few people in world history have ever witnessed; the changing of a new millennium. In that spirit, I want to tell you what things will be new for www.Savetheguns.com in this coming year, but first, I want to address the latest mass murder that just occurred in Wakefield, Massachusetts at the Edgewater firm. The co-founder of the Edgewater firm is the sister of a friend of mine, so this tragedy strikes too close to home. The killer of seven fellow employees at the Edgewater firm in Wakefield, Massachusetts is a deranged schizophrenic who has a very long psychiatric history and was taking many strong drugs designed to control his behavior. His reply to arresting officers was "I don't speak German." This man is clearly extremely dangerous. He was not in possession of any valid firearm identification card, handgun permit, gun safety course certificate or anything else that is required of Massachusetts residents. Not very surprising at all. As you might already know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has the most stringent gun control policies in the nation. The Massachusetts Police Chief's Guide To Gun Control is now about 7 inches thick. Massachusetts legislators have their law abiding gun owners jumping through hoops with the tangled legions of laws that regulate firearm possession, transportation and storage. As long as you obey the law that is. This newest mass murder at the workplace took place in the midst of these very restrictive laws, once again proving to America that gun control as a method of crime reduction does not work. I am sure that this firm in Wakefield had a workplace violence policy in place, that of course includes a policy of not bringing a gun to work. If a psychotic employee is bent on destruction and intends on killing as many fellow employees as he can, I don't really think that corporate policy is going to be of a concern to him. I think he fully realizes that he is about to lose his job anyway. The only people to obey workplace violence policy seems to be the victims. What was the reaction by Massachusetts legislators to this terrible tragedy??? I just shook my head when I heard an anti-gun Democrat in the Massachusetts State Senate say "...there must have been some loophole that we missed..." I really wish I could have caught her at her words on the air, but alas, I could only reply to her comments in a newspaper editorial. The Democrats tried to portray Dan Quayle as less than intelligent, when all they have to do is look in the mirror to find where the real stupidity and ignorance lies. My thanks go out to the Boston Herald who has done about 40 pages on this story, glorifying the massacre and the Massachusetts legislature who once again proved without a single doubt that gun control does less than nothing about violent crime. One of the most vocal anti-gun Massachusetts Democrats who supports more gun control for Massachusetts Citizens is Senator Cheryl Jacques, her E-mail address is: CJacques@senate.state.ma.us She is about to introduce new onerous legislation, so contacting her now about this is important for Massachusetts gun owners. ************************************** What is New for 2001? Because of the Election Day fiasco and the holiday season, I have a lot of catching up to do as far as the Web Site is concerned. I will be adding a page called "Issues". The "Issues" page will consist of all the many aspects of gun control and my stand on each of them... it should be worth reading. I will be adding a page called "Statistics" which will clearly show that gun control does not lessen the rates of violent crime. I am thinking seriously about adding a page where you can have live voice chat with other visitors as long you have a microphone and speakers. I will be adding many new products that you can buy to support me and www.Savetheguns.com these new products will include things like books, trigger locks, handgun safes and many others. I will be adding a page called "Interesting Stuff" which will be a page of files, stories and attachments that have been sent to me by my over 20,000 total visitors. *************************************** Vote 2002 Please help me add content to my "Vote 2002" page!!! The anti-gun Democrats plan on taking over both houses of Congress by the November 2002 election. We CANNOT allow the anti-gun Democratic Party to gain control over Congress in 2002!!! We need to get more lawful gun owners aware of the dangers involved in another Democratic Congress. If just a small portion of the nearly eighty million (80,000,000) gun owners in America would get involved in the next election, it would be a landslide victory for freedom, truth and liberty. *************************************** How can I help? You can do quite a few things to help www.Savetheguns.com be more successful this coming year. 1.) Pass around the Web Address to your friends, family and co-workers and get them to get more involved in the issues and not just complain about gun control over a cup of coffee at the gun club. 2.) Speaking about gun clubs, you could send your gun club officers a message that we make pin-on buttons and can custom design them for you with your gun club logo. I will sell them pretty cheap if they order a whole bunch. Does your gun club use pin-on buttons to identify their members? Have your club E-mail me at sales@savetheguns.com for prices. 3.) You could send me your ideas on how I can improve Savetheguns.com. Many changes have been made because of your suggestions and help. Remember, I am only one person, I could use your help. 4.) Take a person shooting this year who has never been shooting before. **************************************** Who supports gun control? Usually those people who support attempts at gun control have a sequence of experiences that they don't even notice. It usually involves a state of mind that starts out very simply but grows into an anti-gun sentiment. Here is what I am talking about: A.) The person begins with a total lack of knowledge about firearms, how they work, their history and their capabilities and limitations. B.) What follows is fear or apprehension because of their ignorance. We human beings have always feared the unknown. C.) This fear of the unknown evolves into a dislike or hatred of firearms. Fear of something ordinarily develops into enmity or loathing. D.) This dislike or viewing guns as repugnant is all that most gun control supporters have, since the facts are not on their side. The facts don't matter to somebody that hates firearms. So what can we do as lawful gun owners? Very simple... head future gun control supporters off at the pass... take them shooting while they are young and/or have not formed an opinion yet. Most people get their firearm information from the news, entertainment industry and politicians, none of which know what the heck they are talking about. Take someone to your club this year!!!! **************************************** Gun Safety For Kids My son shot his first firearm at five years old. At seven, he could safely handle and unload a semi-automatic pistol by himself. It is essential to safety, that the mystery surrounding firearms be taken away from the young people. Guns should never be treated as a "forbidden fruit" when children are concerned. Immersing them in gun safety, proper handling and marksmanship when they are quite young is an essential ingredient in keeping them safe. Otherwise, they might feel a need to investigate guns by themselves, which can lead to tragedy. Of course, when firearms are not in use, they should be under lock and key, and the key should be kept with an adult at all times. However, I have always taught and will stand by my advice, that it is far better to gun-proof a child than to just child-proof a gun. But common sense dictates that a sound policy of teaching gun safety to kids and locking up firearms, should be strictly followed. What age children should be taught about proper gun handling and safety depends very much on the individual child. There is no appropriate age at which I would teach a child about proper firearm handling and safety. The point at which the child should be taught may vary greatly from child to child. Some children can be taught by age 5 or 6, while others may not be mature enough to handle it until as late as 10 or 12. When the child begins to be trustworthy in other things, such as household chores, taking care of a pet's needs, or showing responsibility in other areas is a good indication of their readiness. The child should also demonstrate some sort of interest in learning about firearm safety too. Never force a child to handle a firearm, or pressure them into going to the range with you. I have many years of experience with teaching young children about firearms and safety. If you need any tips, please don't hesitate to ask. You can reach me at my "Ask Marc" page or by E-mail at webmaster@savetheguns.com *************************************** Coupon for a t-shirt Minuteman Monthly Subscribers may print and clip this coupon for $1.00 off a Savetheguns.com t-shirt. ---------------------------------------Clip here----------------------------------------- You may use this coupon for $1.00 off a Savetheguns.com t-shirt. This coupon is valid ONLY through March 31, 2001. With this coupon the t-shirt cost is $14.00. (For Subscribers only) (Issue 6 January 2000) ---------------------------------------Clip here--------------------------------------- *************************************** Thank you for visiting and thanks again for your support. Please pass this newsletter around to your family and friends and post it at work, at the mall or your local community bulletin board.