Mike Saparito's Militia Man TEXAS GOVERNMENT ASSAULTS LEAD FROM BULLETS A Texas gun shop/range was recently targeted for closure and clean up by the Texas equivalent of the Environmental Protection Agency. The fact that ammunition is exempt from regulation by EPA did not stop this environmental regulatory agency from claiming that after the bullet leaves the case it is no longer ammunition but becomes spent lead which they claim is subject to regulation. Experts have long known that lead from bullets pose no environmental threat to the public. Unfortunately, the regulatory agency knows that too, but threatens gun ranges regardless. The idea is to cause the range owner to spend so much money on lawyers to fight the threat of closure and clean up that they are forced out of business. Perhaps the time has come for us to repeat our historic response to potential threats to the whole community -- the mutual aid effort. Gun shops in each community should form local organizations designed to help each other in times of such threats by government, whether the threat is environmental, zoning or over-regulation of operations methods. Such strong local groups can help mobilize their gun owning customers to pressure the government or regulatory agency into calling a halt to the threat. Ben Franklin's well known quote said, "If we don't hang together, we will surely hang separately", is as true today as when he first said it... and for the same reasons. Mike Saporito February, 1995 WASHINGTON D.C. REPORT By Michael Saporito The American Shooting Sports Council, Inc., (ASSC) is an industry organization comprised of domestic manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers and press from the firearm and accessory industry. The ASSC held its third annual Washington D.C., legislative "Fly-In" from February 5-9, 1995. A strong cross section of ASSC's members flew to DC to visit with their Representatives and Senators on firearm issues. The discussions focused on the firearm industry and its economic, social and political impact on both a national and local level. The main topics of discussion included jobs, taxes, ecology and freedom. The legislative aides were also interested in our view of a possible repeal of the "assault weapons" provisions of the 1994 Crime Law and the feasibility of "smart guns". The aides on the House side were consistent in their belief that stand-alone legislation to repeal the "assault weapons" ban would pass in the House. They were less confident however that the same legislation would pass the Senate. Most believed that even if it passed, Clinton would invoke a veto. Some expressed a belief that a watered down repeal, increasing the magazine capacity to 20 rounds and changing the descriptive language to include more than "two" assault features, had a good chance of becoming law if attached to an appropriations bill. Apparently, one element of the next anti-gun effort is going to be towards requiring firearms to be "smart guns" and ammunition to be "smart bullets". During the past year, Senators Kennedy, Biden, DiConcini and Metzenbaum requested the Office of Technology Assessment to conduct a hearing on the feasibility of these items. Presumably, smart guns would be the type that could only be fired by the owner... like the signature gun of James Bond movies. A police officer would then be unable to use his partner's guns in a struggle with a criminal, a spouse would be unable to use their mate's firearm for self defense and soldiers could not use another soldier's weapon in combat. Imagine being unable to deter a home invader because the firearm in your hand is capable of being fired only by your spouse! The absurd possibilities to this type of thinking are endless. No, "smart" bullets are not laser-guided. To the anti-gun extremist's way of thinking that bullets could somehow be made todiscern the difference between the good guys and the bad guys. They obviously see a lot of movie chase scenes where bullets shot by the heroes explode automobiles on impact. (I'd like to find a box of that ammo!) Apparently, these fanatical Senators and their anti-gun extremist friends watch too much television and worse yet, they actually believe what they see is reality. Most of us who attended the Fly In were quick to point out that the ideas of smart ammo and firearms were not good ones. Anyone who does have any technical knowledge on either "smart" firearms or ammunition is encouraged to contact me so that we can build a defense to this threatened legislation. During the Fly-In event, members were also briefed by BATF, US Customs and a representative of the State Department. BATF expressed its appreciation for industry input in the difficult task of writing regulations regarding the 1994 Crime Law. It went on to explain some of its decisions regarding magazine capacity, manufacture, sale, importation and exportation of the banned firearms. U.S. Customs explained how its regulation of imports and exports was affected by the Crime Law and what could be done to make these transactions easier. The State Department representative left the audience dumbstruck when she explained that even though a country issues a license to import specific firearms from the United States, a representative of the State Department actually calls that country's government and tries to convince them NOT to import the firearms! They tell that country's government that the United States does not want those firearms on its streets and proceeds to ask why they would want them on their streets. Whose side are they on here? Indications are that the direction comes from the White House. Representative Bill McCullom (R-FL), was presented the "Congressional Leader of the Year" award by the ASSC. During his acceptance speech he stated emphatically that no gun control bill would escape his House Subcommittee on Crime. Freshman member of Congress Bob Barr addressed the attendees telling them he had put his money where his mouth was and proudly campaigned as a pro-gun advocate. He assured the members that he was and would continue to be a strong supporter of Second Amendment Rights. During their visits to congressional offices members were very well received. De-briefing reports from the members indicate that many aides to newly elected Representatives assigned to the firearm issue were not as knowledgeable on the subject as we would like them to be. ASSC and Mike's Militia are doing their best to educate these aides on the issues before the anti-gunners can poison their minds with propaganda. Mike Saporito February 1995 NOT ALL PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS ANTI-FIREARM At last count, there were fifteen pieces of legislation pertaining to the firearm industry introduced in the 104th Congress since January 1, 1995. Surprisingly, not all of them are anti-firearm proposals! For example House Member Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) has sponsored House Bill #78 which is to protect the right to obtain firearms for security and to secure the right to use firearms in defense of self, family or home. The bill which also provides for the enforcement of such rights, is presently in the House Judiciary Committee. In that same committee is HB #125, sponsored by Jim Chapman (D-TX). This bill seeks to repeal the bans on semi- automatic assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices that were instituted with enactment of the Crime Law. It is nearly identical to HB #464 sponsored by Bartlett. In recent years we have been conditioned to be on the defensive with regard to legislation. Nearly all legislation was considered to be bad for the industry and we have collectively called our Washington representatives to urge them to vote AGAINST proposed measures. This might be our opportunity to be on the offense for the first time in many years. Consider having a positive reason to call your Senator or Representative. Usually we have called to express our displeasure with proposed laws, giving firearm owners the stigma of being against everything. Some anti-gun activists have taken this observation and used it to suggest that we are against any attempt to get crime under control. Even though this of course is not the case, we have seldom been able to give support to any positive legislation. Representative James Traficanti Jr. (D-OH) has sponsored HB #385 which would establish a commission responsible for making recommendations for laws that will control crime and formulate a national firearm policy WITHOUT DENYING SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS! Perhaps we should take the time to study this proposal to see if it bears support. None of us enjoy dealing with people who are always negative. Your Congress member is no different. It may be a welcomed change for him or her to learn that firearm enthusiasts can also be positive. Take the time to study the legislation being introduced to learn which you can support. Then, make that call or write that letter to voice your support. Do the same in your state and even local governments. Take the offensive position, be positive, be involved, express your satisfaction with good legislation. Stay informed and stay involved.. these are the true keys to protecting and preserving your rights! Militia Minutes March 1995 STATE PROPOSALS AT A GLANCE If you are a resident of one of the following states, contact your local legislator and obtain a copy of this proposed legislation. Study it and make an informed decision of where you stand on the issue. Then, share you views with your legislator. Keep informed. Keep involved. ARKANSAS - HB #1088 and SB #157 authorize the state police to issue concealed carry permits to qualified applicants. CALIFORNIA - AB#132 Modifies the list of firearms now designated as "assault weapons". CONNECTICUT - H-6350 proposes to rid the sate of "assault weapons" virtually identical to ones already banned by additionally prohibiting the sale and possession of "copy-cat" assault weapons. H-6525 Modifies laws regulating the sale and possession of handguns and assault weapons. S-388 Bans the sale and possession of cheap handguns termed "Saturday Night Specials". GEORGIA - S-171 Provides that every head of household in the state shall be required to maintain at least one firearm, loaded with ammunition, in their residence. HAWAII - S-557 Limits acquisition of a firearm to one per 30 day period unless licensed to sell and manufacture firearms. S-952 Amends existing firearms law and establishes the definition of "assault weapon". ILLINOIS - H-188 The Firearms Tax Act imposes a tax on all persons engaged in the business of selling firearms. H-568 Amends the Firearm Owner Identification Card Act which among other things states that if a person is in compliance with U.S. and State Law he or she is entitled to possess, transport, store, purchase, sell or deal in these items. It pre-empts units of local government. INDIANA - S-627 Provides persons using or operating a shooting range are not liable for civil or criminal matters if the range complies with existing laws. MAINE H-60 Exempts owners of shooting ranges from civil and criminal prosecution for matters relating to noise pollution as long as range is in compliance with noise control laws in effect when range was constructed. H-202 Similar to H-60 except that it states that noise level cannot exceed 68 decibels. MARYLAND H-184 Establishes a constitutional right to keep and bear arms for defense of self, family, state and home and for recreational purposes. MINNESOTA H-84, H-89, S-90 and S-176 all provide for the citizen's right to keep and bear arms. MISSOURI - H-60 and H-61 both regulate certain firearm and weapons offenses. NEW JERSEY H-21 and S-25 Increases age from 18 to 21 for handgun purchases and changes related laws on temporary transfer and exemptions. H-456 Increases penalty for illegal sale and purchase of handguns. H-1152 Establishes a $15 fee increase for certain background checks to obtain a handgun permit or a firearm purchaser ID card. H-1819 Establishes reporting procedures for private firearm sales. H-1905 and S-1159 Prohibits sales, import, possession and carrying of handguns except by certain authorized persons. S-492 Requires storage of firearms in a locked container or with a trigger lock or blocking device. S-1157 Increases mandatory minimum sentence the court must impose for crimes involving use of handgun. S-1158 Establishes a Handgun Surrender Program NORTH CAROLINA - H-70 - Provides that a person who meets specified criteria may obtain a concealed handgun permit. OKLAHOMA - H-1013 Prohibits plea bargaining a felony committed with a firearm down to a misdemeanor S-3 Authorizes the OK State Bureau of Investigation to issue 3-year licenses to carry concealed weapons. PENNSYLVANIA H-51 Amends the Crimes and Offenses codes to add assault weapons to firearms and dangerous articles. TENNESSEE - S-82 Prohibits criminal prosecution of shooting range operator in relation to noise pollution if the range is in compliance with local noise control laws. VIRGINIA - H-2273 Requires all firearm dealers, including gun show vendors, to register with the State Police. H-2356 Prohibits import, sale, purchase, transfer, transport or possession of defined 'assault firearms' with numerous exceptions for securing a certificate of possession for using such a weapon in competitive shooting. S-1018 Extends prohibition against carrying loaded assault weapons or shotguns with 8 or more round magazines, in public places to now cover ALL firearms. WYOMING S-76 Provides for regulation and control of shooting ranges and offers protection from civil and criminal liability as specified. HJR -1 Requests Congress to cease restricting the sale and use of firearms in contravention of the Second Amendment. HJR-18 Recognizes the important role of firearms to WY citizens and urges their proficient and safe use. Militia Minutes March 1995 Happy(?) Brady Anniversary! February 28th marked the end of the first year of life under the Brady Law. According to the NRA, the waiting period provisions netted only FOUR Federal prosecutions of prohibited persons attempting to buy a firearm. We suspect that reports you hear in the media to the contrary include the numbers of citizens being initially denied the right to purchase a firearm who are later found to be qualified. The statistics however are never corrected! We've heard stories of people being mis-identified and denied the right to buy until they prove the record-keeper's mistake. Some jurisdictions are reportedly also using the law to collect unpaid parking tickets. Is this the best method for keeping firearms out of the hands of felons? Militia Minutes March 1995 PASADENA PASSES PAPERWORK PACKAGE Strange but true. The City of Pasadena, California has passed a local ordinance which requires registration of the sale of all ammunition. The seller must now fill out a form which gives the buyers' name, address and driver's license number. The buyer must further fill in the quantity and type of ammunition purchased and then sign the form. The seller must maintain these records for inspection by the local police department. ABC News reported that the City of Los Angeles is closely monitoring the success of this legislation to possibly consider similar action in that community. Do you see this as a way to control crime?? Militia Minutes March 1995 ARE YOU A MEMBER OF A PHONE TREE? It's very easy to establish a phone/fax tree in your area to keep each other informed about legislation that may affect your business. Simply select 5 customers or business associates who share your views. Instruct them to do the same. When your hear about proposed action in your local, state or federal government - formulate your opinion and determine which legislator should hear your opinion. Start the tree by calling or faxing your five "tree limbs" and have them do likewise. Keep the call under 3 minutes. But don't forget you must also make that important call to your legislator! The result is an organized, productive, grassroots effort to promote or defeat legislation in your best interest. It only takes a small investment of your time. It works! Militia Minutes March 1995 CRIME CONTROL FROM A TO Z by Michael R. Saporito Everyone who reads this knows that gun control is not crime control. We also know that incidents of crime in areas with strict gun laws are higher than those in areas with lenient policies towards firearms ownership. We have made this argument for years when faced with gun control legislation in the guise of crime control. Too often, we say "no" to the legislation without offering legislators alternative (and more realistic) solutions to the problem. The legislators are faced with the choice of passing the legislation or doing nothing. For legislators, this is not an option when it comes to "crime control". Especially when voters so desperately want something to be done. Legislators feel that they must do something to solve the crime problem or face being voted out of office at the next election. More often than not, legislators who are ignorant of firearms use and ownership, vote for restrictive firearms legislation as a means of crime control because their only other choice is to do nothing. When we oppose such legislation, we should be ready with positive suggestions of alternatives that would actually do something to lower the crime rate and enhance the safety of our citizens. The following are some crime control measures we should propose as alternatives to gun control legislation: A. Create anti-gang task forces in major cities. Such task forces would investigate all gang related violations of law and could arrest gang members involved. Task force members could share gang activity and membership information across county and state lines to determine whether the local gang is truly local or part of a loose network of thugs. Gang members who move from city to city could be more easily tracked. B. Establish zero tolerance for gang related crimes. ALL crimes committed by gang members, whether gang related or not would be fully investigated and those responsible would be prosecuted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law. C. Establish zero tolerance for violent crimes. Violent criminals have clearly forfeited their place in an organized and law abiding society. Those who cannot live peacefully with the rest of society do not deserve the privileges and protection of that society and should be prosecuted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law. D. Prohibit plea bargains except in rare and unusual cases. Plea bargains should be restricted to cases of non violent crime. Under no circumstances should a defendant be allowed to plea bargain a second time. E. Require mandatory sentences for violent crime. There should be no probation for someone who has demonstrated that he or she is dangerous to the community. We live together as a society with the understanding that there is safety in numbers and that we can be of mutual assistance to each other in time of need. This tacit agreement is broken when one party commits an act of violence against another party within that society. The offending party forfeits his or her rights to that society's protection--probation allows that party to remain in society and it should not be permitted. F. More police on the beat. Criminals commit their crimes when there are no police or protectors around to stop them. Criminals know that police who are driving will generally be miles away in minutes. More police on smaller foot beats will be closer to potential crime scenes. Local foot patrols as a deterrent are superior to wide ranging patrols driving throughout the area trying to find criminals on a hit or miss basis. G. Better training and newer equipment should be a high priority of any legislator who truly wants to stop crime. Many cases are lost in court because departments fail to "refresh" the police officer's knowledge regarding search and seizure, confessions and other legal developments that occur after the police officer is sworn in. A continuing education process should be required for all police. H. Eliminate time off for good behavior. One wonders why we are rewarding someone in prison for not misbehaving while under supervision. They are supposed to behave-- and that is one reason for the supervision. They should serve the full sentence! Additional time should be tacked on for misbehaving while in prison. Time added for Bad Behavior! I. Two strikes and you're an adult. Treat juveniles as adults if they are charged with conduct that is a felony and they have previously been adjudicated guilty of conduct, which if committed by an adult would have been a felony. Juvenile offenders are simply not being punished for criminal acts. A juvenile committing acts that constitute felonies if committed by an adult should be treated as adults. For years parents have been telling their children, "If you want to be treated like an adult, act like an adult." It is time to tell juveniles, If you act like an adult, you will be tried like an adult. For those who believe that adult punishment is too strong, the alternative should be for actual punishment that fits the crime. Perhaps long confinement in a facility for juvenile offenders will deter some others from criminal activity. J. Issue concealed weapons licenses to honest and law abiding individuals with clean criminal records (including clean mental health records) in those juridictions where they are required. If this is truly a government "of the people and by the people" then it should trust the people and no such licenses or permits should be necessary. The knowledge that some or all potential victims of crime are armed will surely create some doubt in the minds of criminals as to the wisdom of their acts. Study after study has consistently shown that cities with strict gun control laws have disproportionately higher homicide and robbery rates while cities with few or no gun control laws have disproportionately lower homicide and robbery rates. The time has come for criminals to fear for their lives and for law abiding citizens to be able to enjoy theirs free from such fear. K. Begin teaching anti-gang messages and contemporary values in primary grades. It is easier to give the message to students who have no opinion regarding gangs and anti social acts than to change an opinion they have already formed. Writing on a clean slate brings a message that is easier to read than writing on one that has to be erased first. One of the most serious problems society has today is the inability of its members to determine right from wrong. One of the root problems of crime is the lack of knowledge of what is right and wrong, and of the consequences of stepping over the line from right to wrong. The sanctity of human life, and contemporary values and morals should be taught in schools and reinforced in media, theaters and entertainment. L. Fix the criminal and civil justice system. There is too much delay between the time a person is arrested and the ultimate resolution of a criminal case. There is too much emphasis on the accused and not enough emphasis on the victim. There is too much reliance on exclusionary rules as a means of keeping the police from violating citizen's rights -- the remedy should be to allow the evidence to be heard and then permit a civil suit against the police and municipality for violation of the citizen's rights. Judges who have been assigned to the criminal part of their courts for a long period of time too often become insensitive to criminal conduct and tend to trivialize the offenses that come before them. Often those judges tend to sentence offenders to probation or short terms. Allowing a person convicted of a crime to sue a victim for injuries sustained while committing that crime is an abomination that should not be allowed. Example after example could be cited to show the complete lack of common sense and absurdities that abound in our court system. Criminals take advantage of this system -- all to the detriment of the law abiding citizen. Judges and prosecutors need to understand that criminals forfeit their standing and membership in society when they violate its rules. Criminals cannot have it both ways -- they either live by the rules and gain society's protection or violate the rules and lose society's protection. M. Allow the use of deadly force in defense of one's home and business against intruders, armed and unarmed. Not one of my friends or acquaintances enters my home by breaking a window and climbing through in the middle of the night (or any other time for that matter). Likewise, delivery persons or door to door salespersons or solicitors generally knock or ring the bell to get my attention and leave if there is no response. When some member of my family has lost their key and has to enter by forcing a window, they first call on the phone, knock at the door or call out after forcing the window so I can identify them. Only those having criminal intentions ever have sought to enter by stealth after forcing a window or door. Citizens should not have to be fearful in their own homes. Citizens should have the right to use deadly force to protect themselves in their business or homes. The time has come for criminals to fear the danger of breaking into someone's home or business. Each month the Reader's Digest features a compilation of political and judicial decisions entitled "That's Outrageous". The October 1994, issue reported that a Milwaukee man trying to rob a McDonald's restaurant was shot by a security guard when the man pointed a gun at the security guard. The would-be robber was convicted and sent to prison. He later sued the security guard and McDonald's for his injuries, claiming excessive force was used against him. Although a judge dismissed the case, the attorney for the robber said, "The mere fact that you're holding up a McDonald's with a gun doesn't mean you give up your right to be protected from somebody who wants to shoot you." N. Zero tolerance for crimes related to illegal drugs. Too often people who have become addicted to drugs or alcohol commit crimes to pay for their habit. In some cases the degree of violence has been out of proportion to the criminal's gain. Recently, a Florida woman was charged with killing her landlord over his refusal to give her $30.00 to buy crack cocaine. There is no human being whose life is not worth $30.00. The degree to which an addict will go to get money to buy crack or other drugs has expanded to the point to which human life is less valuable than a few rocks of crack. Drug addiction has given new meaning to the term "desperate" in describing those addicts. Voluntary treatment in the nature of an amnesty should be offered, and if not accepted, zero tolerance for crimes related to drugs. If we claim to be law-abiding citizens we must obey the law or get it changed. O. Organize residents in high crime areas to rid their neighborhoods of crime, and municipalities should work with them to do so. (i) Municipalities should provide funds for meetings to help organize the neighborhoods and train residents in what to look for and how to handle crime in their areas. Then should be given equipment such as reporting devices, cameras,phones (if necessary) and special ID codes with which to report crime directly to a precinct or station without going through a switchboard operator who will delay response time. (ii) Municipalities should step up patrols, on foot if necessary, with the help of residents who can identify local residents and point out troublemakers and other undesirables to police. (iii) Temporary precincts should be established in high crime areas. Few things chill the criminal element's desire to commit crime more than the presence of police. Those who would commit crimes in those areas will move out of those neighborhoods. If you can't arrest and convict them, move them out of the municipality. Hopefully, all other municipalities will do the same and criminal will have no safe place to ply their trade. (iv) Initially, there should be zero tolerance for any crimes committed in the neighborhoods in which such a program is initiated. Criminals need to learn that even minor crimes will not be tolerated and that the move to rid the area of crime is "for real". A former Secretary General of the United Nations once remarked, "If you are going to plant a rose garden, you do not reserve a plot for weeds." (v) The municipality, including police and political office holders, should hold town hall types of meeting to receive suggestions from residents and to report on the progress of the program to rid their neighborhood of crime. A joint effort by police and residents can, and will, force criminals to ply their trade elsewhere. Neighborhood residents can once again feel safe in their streets and homes. P. Enlist the aid of IRS and state and local taxing authorities to seize the assets of illegal drug dealers, gamblers, loan sharks and prostitutes, madams or pimps as well as others who gain from illegal activities. Even though certain acts are criminal, the income derived from those acts is still taxable on the federal, state and local level. Taxing authorities have extraordinary powers to enforce the tax laws, and they should be used against the criminal. Remember, the power to tax is the power to destroy. Even if we do not agree with gambling or drug laws, we must follow them or get them changed. To break these laws is to abandon our claim of being law-abiding citizens. Q. Provide for the forfeiture of real property used in drug, gambling or prostitution offenses. Too often landlords look the other way with respect to the use of the premises they lease out. Wherever illegal drugs, gambling, loan sharking and prostitution activities have taken place, incidental crimes have also risen. The need for funds with which to participate in such activities have resulted in increased crimes against innocent victims. Property owners owe a responsibility to the other residents of the neighborhood to prevent their buildings from being used for such purposes. Of course, there should be rules to protect innocent property owners and mortgage holders to avoid a seizure of such property where owner had no actual knowledge, or reason to believe, that illegal activity was being conducted on his or her premises. R. Increase prison space for convicted criminals. It is estimated that 6% of the criminals commit 70% of the crime in the United States. Studies published by the American Legislative Exchange Council have shown that crime decreases as criminal incarceration increases. As more criminals are put in prison, fewer of them remain on the streets to commit crimes. More importantly, such incarceration sends a message to youngsters who might contemplate a life of crime, that it really does not pay. Probation should be reserved for the first time offender and should not be given as a sentence for subsequent criminal acts. The second bite at the apple shouldn t be free. S. Enlist the aid of federal prosecutors and agents to prosecute criminals who cross state lines to commit their crimes. Criminals who are sentenced under Federal law must serve their entire sentence. Too often state prisoners are paroled after only a few months of a several year sentence. Call upon those prosecutors and agents to either prosecute criminals who are caught trying to purchase firearms from legitimate firearms dealers or repeal the Brady Law. T. Establish crime free zones, initially around schools, churches, senior citizen nursing homes and hospitals. Enhanced penalties should be given for crimes committed in crime free zones. While crimes should not be committed anywhere, those committed in areas of schools, churches, senior citizen nursing homes and hospitals are usually committed against victims most in need of protection. The message should be clear -- criminals who prey on those types of victims will be punished more severely. Crimes against children and the elderly are particularly offensive because the victims are the least likely to be able to resist the criminal and least likely to be able to protect themselves. Criminals who perpetrate those types of crimes should be more severely punished. U. Establish curfews for underage persons in areas of high youth crime activity. Studies show that more criminals are starting their criminal activity at a younger age. Municipalities should study the arrest statistics by age in their highest crime areas and establish a curfew based on age for those areas. Perhaps parental civil responsibility for damage and injury caused by curfew violators would help enforce those curfews. V. Create boot camps for first time offenders. Some first time offenders do not know how to live life in a society in which laws govern the behavior of its citizens. Those offenders believe that laws are "stupid" and apply to others -- not themselves. Boot camps offer the opportunity to learn about living in a structured society in which the rule of law governs one's behavior. W. Establish privately run prisons on closed military bases where offenders are taught a trade and a work ethic. First time offenders who have not committed violent crimes and who are to be sentenced to incarceration should be sent to a facility in which they learn a trade or profession. A business should be established within the prison community in which prisoners manufacture, sell and ship goods to buyers. Prisoners should be paid a wage, and living expenses should be deducted. The balance should be placed in an account for each prisoner. As each prisoner works harder and more diligently, housing, meals and comforts should be increased for that prisoner. Those that are lazy or less diligent should receive housing, meals and comforts accordingly. This should teach prisoners a work ethic. When prisoners are trained and released, they should be given the balance left in their account. There should be no second opportunity to enter this facility. Crimes that are committed within the prison community should result in the prisoner being transferred to a regular "general population" prison facility with appropriate additional time for the crime committed.. X. Enact truth in sentencing laws -- what you get is what you serve. Why do we sentence criminals to 5 years when we know they are only going to serve 5 months? Why don't we just sentence them to 5 months and get it over with? Perhaps the problem is public outrage at sending a robber to jail for just 5 months, or a murderer to jail for just 7 years. In truth, such a system would force judges to send criminals to jail for 5 years and REQUIRE PRISONERS TO SERVE THE FULL 5 YEARS! Y. Prohibit parole for violent criminals. It is difficult to understand the philosophy behind parole. When a person commits a violent act and injures or kills an innocent victim, the police become involved and expend a great deal of time and money to apprehend the criminal; the prosecutor spends time preparing his or her case and prosecuting the criminal; the court system has to empanel a jury, hear the trial and pronounce sentence; a probation department has to do a sentencing investigation and recommendation; a prison has to take charge of the prisoner; and a victim or the victim's relatives or loved ones must carry the scar of the experience forever. After all of that, a parole board says to the prisoner "You aren't so bad after all, you can be released into the general public as rehabilitated." Studies show that 30% of all murders are committed by criminals who are out on parole, probation or bail. Z. Reduce the time and frequency of appeals of death sentences. This suggestion speaks for itself. If a death sentence is truly a death sentence, then it should not mean ten to 15 years of imprisonment followed by a possibility of death. It should mean a probability of death within a short time after imposition. If we expect legislators to act responsibly, we must present them with responsible choices. Handgun Control Inc. (HCI) and other extremist groups succeed because they give legislators only two choices -- (1) Do it HCI's way or (2) Do nothing at all. Since doing nothing is not a real choice to a politician, HCI's alternative often wins. We can, and must, do better -- demand that your legislator consider responsible solutions that will actually solve the problem -- demand that they reject pseudo solutions that are only intended to further the agenda of others at the expense of their constitutency. There are many other suggestions that would and could be presented as alternatives to gun control as a means of crime control. Most of the foregoing deal with fixing the justice system and making difficult choices in enacting laws. Until we determine that we will not "reserve a patch for the weeds..." in our rose garden, we will have to put up with the prickly thorns in our society. It doesn t have to be that way, and you can help change it. Stand up for your rights, speak out for our protection and be heard as the good citizen you are in helping your government solve its problems. If you have other such suggestions, please send them to me in care of "Mike's Militia", Post Office Box 4300, Winter Park, FL 32793. January 1995 ARTICLES AVAILABLE TO MIKE'S MILITIA MEMBERS Indicate the items you want and return to us via mail or fax. Reprints are authorized and encouraged. Actual text of assault ban in Crime Act and analysis Update on "Brady 2" - What it is and where it stands Guide to presenting a shooting demonstration for legislators and the media Petition form to Congress asking for repeal of anti-firearm legislation Graphs showing robberies and homicides in cities with strict gun laws State by State voter registration information Editorial Articles by Mike Saporito: Not Too Many Lawyers ... Too Many Politicians Hey Buddy Can You Spare the Time? And We Dare Not Win Are We Willing to Win the Battle, And the War? Are you as Free Now as You Were 20 Years Ago? Is There Strength in Numbers? I'm Only One Person, What Can I Do? The Rule of Rules UN Calls for Domestic Gun Control The I's Have It Crime Control from A to Z Renew Your FFL Early Crime Bill Passes ... Confusion Abounds Image Reversal - Changing the Agenda Clinton's Executive Order Creates Arms Proliferation Policy Board Mike's Militia P O Box 4300 Winter Park FL 32793 fax (407)677-7504