LETTERS: DEMOCRAT GOAL IS NO FIREARMS

To the editor:

To anyone who owns a firearm and is planning on voting for any Democrat for national office on Nov. 7, I have a recommendation for you: As you head out for the polls, toss your guns in the trunk so you can drop them off at the police department for destruction on your way and avoid the crowds later.

Why, you ask? Most people have not heard of the case of U.S. vs. Emerson working its way through the federal legal system. Mr. Emerson was arrested for being in possession of a firearm while the subject of a routinely issued restraining order in a divorce. The original trial judge, Judge Cummings, struck down the federal law as violating the Fifth Amendment and Second Amendment and asserting that the Second Amendment protects an individual right and stating "firearms possession is a valuable liberty." The current Clinton-Gore administration, through Janet Reno's injustice department, appealed. The recent arguments before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is revealing. What follows is taken from transcripts of the oral arguments, Mr. Meteja is arguing for the current administration.

Judge Garwood: "You are saying that the Second Amendment is consistent with a position that you can take guns away from the public? You can restrict ownership of rifles, pistols and shotguns from all the people? Is that the position of the United States?"

Meteja: "Yes."

Judge Garwood: "Is it the position of the United States that persons who are not in the National Guard are afforded no protections under the Second Amendment?"

Meteja: "Exactly," adding that National Guard members could only possess guns issued or used in the Guard.

Judge DeMoss: "I have a 16-gauge shotgun in my closet at home. I have a 20-gauge shotgun. I also have a .30-caliber deer rifle at home. Are you saying these are in or affecting interstate commerce'?"

Meteja: "Yes." In short, this administration believes the federal government can, at anytime, require you to surrender any and all firearms you own, and they can stretch the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution to interject federal control into every aspect of your lives.

Couple this line of argument with the ongoing efforts of this administration, with the support of primarily Democrats in Congress, to use the full power and resources of the federal government (your money) to sue the firearms manufacturers into bankruptcy, and it is clear. If this administration is allowed to continue, with the support of Democrats in Congress, it will not be long before private firearms ownership in this country is only a memory. So if you plan to vote for Democrats this November, beat the crowds. Surrender your guns now. Vote for a Democrat, lose your guns.

ROBERT A. CRON

Advance, Mo.