Wednesday, December 2, 1998 The University Daily Kansan Section A • Page 5 KU students seek alternatives to NBA Lockout moves student focus to college sports By Seth Jones Kansan staff writer Even though Lawrence is hundreds of miles away from the nearest National Basketball Association team, University of Kansas students are wondering if this season's lockout will ever end. The NBA announced June 30, that it was locking out its players until a new collective bargaining agreement was reached. During the lockout, players are not to be paid; teams cannot sign, trade or negotiate with any players; team workout facilities are shut down; and teams cannot have any exhibitions, practices, workouts, coaching sessions or team meetings. Praveen Srungaram, Dallas senior, said he thought it was unfortunate that the fans had to go without professional basketball because of money matters. son." "I think everything will work out eventually. Right now, everyone is looking for money," he said. "But I don't see them playing this sea- Jeff Heiman, Olathe senior, said the enormous salaries and the player lockout had turned him against the NBA. "I don't even care if they play anymore," he said. "I don't think the players care about playing. Their only concern is money. It's become too much of a business to them, and they've lost their love for the game." Troy Dinges, Victoria senior, said he was sorry for players such as Paul Pierce, former Kansas forward, who left early to play in the NBA. "You go to college so you can get a good job," he said. "You can't blame them for leaving college early to get a good job. It's a bummer that now they're not playing." For now, the NBA has announced that the rest of the season has been indefinitely postponed. That leaves KU students to look elsewhere for their basketball fix. "I definitely prefer college basketball to the NBA," Dinges said. "I think this will also give the "I think the players are just money hungry. They are going to lose a lot of money." of fan support like baseball when they went on strike" "I think it is not fair to the players or the fans." What is your opinion about the NBA lockout? Mary Pander St. Louis freshman Matt Holzinger Overland Park junior "The players' salary is absurd. I just care more about college basketball." Dan Santamaria Overland Park senior Women's National Basketball Association and women's basketball in general a chance to gain popularity." Srungram said he thought college basketball's regular season "I think it is somewhat selfish on both the management side and the players' side." was more entertaining than the NBA. "But when it comes to post season play, you don't get much more intense than the NBA." Heiman said he preferred watching men's basketball at Allen Field House. Ryan Zorad Omaha, Neb., freshman "When you have a team as entertaining as ours, you really shouldn't lose any sleep about the NBA not playing." All firearm sales require background checks By Kelli Raybern Kanson staff writer A new system of federal gun checks has hit Lawrence and the rest of the nation in time for the holiday and hunting seasons. Under the new law, which replaced the 1993 Brady law, calls for instant background checks. Local gun shop owners are required to phone an FBI agency and provide information about anyone purchasing a firearm. The law was implemented yesterday. Tom Moore, Lawrence senior and campus director for Student Legislative Awareness Board, said he supported the new system. The previous system required checks only for handguns, not for rifles and shotguns. "I think it's a good idea," he said. "I don't have anything against further safety checks for checks on the ability of people to "The laws against illegally obtained firearms are so petty. The only people really punished are honest citizens trying to buy guns legally." Brian Mohart Overland Park junior carry weapons in our society." He said he didn't feel the new law infringed on Second Amendment rights. "People who want guns can still get them."he said. He said regulations on firearm ownership were in fact part of complying with the amendment. "The government is entitled to have a well-regulated militia," he said. Not everyone agrees with his judgment of the new law. "As far as rifles, I kind of disagree with it," said Brian Mohart, Overland Park junior. Mohart said that he didn't purchase firearms himself but that he hunted and often received them as gifts. "The laws against illegally obtained firearms are so petty," he said. "The only people really punished are honest citizens trying to buy guns legally." Mohart said he was concerned that federal agents would, through the required background check, keep nationwide records of firearms purchases. "That's the first step in a national gun registration program," he said. "That is the first step in banning all firearms." For local gun sellers, the new regulations may pose a more practical inconvenience. Brian Kidwell, manager of the hunting department at Rusty's Outdoor Sports, 1920 W. 23rd St., said he had some delays phoning in background checks yesterday. "I couldn't get through until this afternoon," he said. "They've had many problems with their system being down and out of order." He said he didn't expect the program to be a problem for long. however. "With new software programs, it takes a while to get it running right," Kidwell said. The system may always slow down those who want guns in a hurry, he said. "Before with handguns, customers could fill out a form, pay and leave with a rifle or shotgun," he said. "Now it's possible they may have to wait three days. If guys come on Friday and want a gun to go hunting on the weekend, they may get delayed and not get their shotgun until the following Wednesday. In cases like that, it could be a problem." As the Supreme Court deliberates the 2000 census, a KU political science professor says any change in the process would not make much of a difference for Kansas politics. On Monday, the Clinton administration asked the Supreme Court to reject a Republican challenge and let it adjust the 2000 census results to make up for an expected under count of minorities across the nation. Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, said the court battle was a political issue that could affect the shape of election districts and the amount of federal aid given to them. By Jason Pearce Kansan staff writer "The decision will certainly affect districts across the country with high amounts of immigrants and places where there is more poverty and hopelessness," Loomis said. "But it probably will not affect Kansas as much because I don't imagine we are very under counted." He said that population under counts might exist in Wyandotte County, Garden City and parts of Wichita because of the number of immigrant workers higher poverty levels or large housing complexes. The Supreme Court will decide — possibly by March of 1999 — whether statistical sampling can be used to determine future census numbers or whether counting will be required to be done directly through the mail or by door-to-door searches. 928 Mass. Downtown Arguing for the Clinton administration, Solicitor General Seth Waxman said the government's plan would lead to a more accurate census. Loomis said statistical sampling used various techniques to provide population estimates in housing areas that are difficult to count. But lawyers for the Republicanled House of Representatives and a group of private citizens insisted the proposal violates the Constitution and federal law. be more accurate," he said. He said that most professional statisticians and demographers also believed that sampling would provide the government with a more accurate count. "If sampling techniques they use were good, which I think they would be, the counts would The Associated Press contributed to this story. "Republicans are afraid of counting more minorities and low-income people because they are less likely to vote Republican." Loomis said. "But the Constitution may well imply that you need an actual count — that is what they are arguing." 723 NEW JERSEY* + P.O. BOX 681 & LAWRENCE, KS 60644 We Buy, Sell, Trade & Consign USED & New Sports Equipment Professionally installed Approved by all insurance Windshield chip repair AUTO GLASS - SAME DAY SERVICE * Holiday Ace and Crafts Sale November 30 - December 4. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kansas Union Lobby Featuring the work of local artists, KU students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Pick something up for the holidays. 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