Katha, I've posted the same comment a few times in the past when the gun talk has gotten a little too serious.
If in the future you discharge a weapon in the proximity of the great Cockburn you can't say I didn't caution you. :o)
Btw, I love these New York City literary debates. The only problem is that they have cost us congressman and senators out here in the big empty space between New York and California. The liberal-labor-left Harris Wofford of Pennsylvania being a primary example and not too far removed from your NYC turf. Or you may have seen a few years ago when Kerry of Nebraska a man of unquestionable personal bravery had to go on TV and discharge a shotgun in order to get re-elected!
Tom
Katha Pollitt wrote:
> Tom Lehman wrote:
> >
> > To quote a famous NYC prohibition era federal agent, " I like guns, it's bullets
> > I don't like."
> >
> > Once again a little friendly remind to everyone, a little screw up with a gun
> > gets you an automatic 5 years in prison in most of these United States.
> >
> > Tom
> >
>
> In the first place, are those laws enforced? NYC has a law mandating
> a year in prison for illegal gun possession (or is it an extra year for
> crime committed with a gun? or both? anyway, they don't enforce it.
> they can't -- there are too many illegal guns for the number of prison
> cells. I'd say in the case of the Arkansas (Missouri?) kid who stole his
> grandpa's gun and killed some classmates that the grandpa 'screwed up a
> little.' Didn't read he went to jail even overnight -- am i wrong?
> Second, putting someone in jail for five years after their kid has
> killed his best friend horsing around, or after the gunowner has killed
> his family, or someone has stolen the gun (does that count as a "little
> screwup"?) doesn't remedy the gun violence problem. Because the
> violence has already been committed. the victims are dead, and often the
> perpetrator too.
> You seem to be making an argument I wouldn't normally associate with
> you (to the extent I am familiar through this list with your views).
> that heavy punishment is okay for what you regard as small crimes, and
> that punishment deters. Heavy penalties are just as much an extension of
> the power of the state --more maybe -- as the state regulating
> possession in the first place.
>
> Katha
>
> Katha