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THE SUMMER SESSION KANSAN
Friday, June 28, 1968
Letters to the Editor
June 24,1968
Editor:
Since the deaths of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King, news media have been full of articles, editorsials, and letters concerning Federal firearms legislation.
Nearly every crisis is made even more unfortunate by desperate and hasty actions which, when seen later under a more studious light, appear a bit foolish. During a recent rash of motorcycle deaths, one congressman suggested mandatory seatbelts to strap cyclist to cycle, and another favored installation of the proverbial six foot pole topped with flashing lights to make cycles more visible.
Thankfully, these suggestions did not become law. However, it was also suggested that, to prevent the slashing of pedestrians, car manufacturers be forbidden to mount hubs caps with protrusions; this has joined the ranks of "Statutes of Dubious Merit." Therefore, I suggest that this is a time for thought, not emotion. Before crying for legislation, we must show a realistic problem, and a practical solution.
I regret the deaths of three great Americans as does the rest of the world. However, we are now considering legislation which would infringe upon what is currently the constitutional right of 200 million Americans. Such legislation might have made the assassinations a bit more difficult, but few people feel that they would have been prevented.
As I am not generally considered to be a criminal, I will not promise to know the workings of the criminal mind. However, I refuse to believe that, upon seeing a weapon, the criminal gleefly cries, "Behold, a weapon! What crime can I perpetrate with it?" Rather, I would contend that he would plan his crime as well as possible, decide upon an optimum weapon, and then go to any lengths to obtain it. Thus, making firearms more difficult to obtain is not a solution to crime.
For the sake of argument, let us assume that firearms present a problem requiring federal action. Are federal firearms laws a practical solution? Perhaps it would help if we could establish some precedent for their effectiveness.
In a recent letter to the Kansas, Mr. McWilliams stated that in "other civilized nations" and "enlightened countries" life is
much safer than in the U.S. due to firearms control laws. I would like to see a relationship evolved that follows the "more laws, less crime" type that he intends us to assume. Even then, statistics will never show the number of crimes which occur because the criminal need fear no counterattack.
To the Editor:
One interviewed convict professed no fear in entering a house protected by a baseball bat or kitchen knife; however, if an Army .45 was available as well, the convict left his venture to the more foolhardy—he was an advocate of strict gun controls.
In Switzerland, a country noted for peace, citizens are encouraged to own and become familiar with firearms. Thus, a quite large militia is instantly available to prevent enemy occupation. I do wish that Mr. McWilliams had defined his "civilized nations" and "enlightened countries." The only nation that I know of, and that Newsweek mentioned, which lives under the abolition of guns that McWilliams advocates is Russia.
University of Kansas
The Kansan is to be commended for publication June 18, 1968, of the article by Susan Brandmeyer concerning the present inadequacies of Watson Library. I regret that such a report did not appear before the end of the spring semester 1968 in order to inform a greater number of students and faculty.
In fact, students of history will note that as a nation leans from democracy toward dictatorship, the first two rights to disappear are those of freedom of speech and ownership of arms. I hope I am forgiven the unwarranted assumption that McWilliams was not advocating a dictatorship.
Conspicuous in its absence from anti-gun articles is the notorious Sullivan Law of New York—the most stringent gun law in the U.S. Perhaps its absence is understandable if we remember that it has been and is heralded as an utter failure. It did nothing to the crime rate, but did serve to disarm most of New York's inhabitants.
Terrence Williams was quite cooperative in explaining why the administrative staff of Watson Library has not resolved major student complaints. At various times during the past three years I have attempted to voice my suggestions for improving conditions in the library but have encountered a few staff members unwilling to "hear me out."
It seems to me that a more profitable, equitable dialogue is necessary between students and staff members of the library. Perhaps a suggestion box or a monthly symposium would be helpful.
Mr. Williams and Miss Brandmeyer have discussed the major inconveniences and possible solutions. Yet I would suggest that the administrative staff eliminate the double "book inspection" required for a student leaving the Reserve Room (formerly the GRR) and subsequently the library building itself.
As a Newsweek article pointed out, there have been only two federal gun laws and both have been "nearly meaningless." The reason for the failure of such legislation is obvious: laws are not effective against those who will not obey them; only citizens who respect laws will be registered or disarmed, thus making the criminal's job easier.
Stringent controls on purchase and use of explosives did not prevent the bombings in the South—bombs were the most effective weapons, and therefore were obtained. Switchblades are illegal, but can be found by anyone with a little effort; primarily, criminals feel the effort worthwhile. To protect herself against attacks in a large city, one girl armed herself with a switchblade. She was
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attacked, she did drive off her assault, and she was subsequently arrested for possession of an illegal weapon.
Secondly it is the concensus of fellow graduate students that the Reserve Room is too noisy. Quieter Xerox machines may alleviate the distracting noises. It would appear even more feasible to place the Xerox machines in a small room in the southwest corner of the Reserve Room. A quiet insulated door would have to be installed for access and from the large Reserve Room. It is unfortunate that the former Graduate Reserve Room on the third floor is not being used adequately.
McWilliams also suggests that, if the populace were disarmed, then the police could also disarm. He should speak with England's Bobbies, who for ages have not carried arms but are now asking for them to fight a rising wave of crime—England does have firearms controls.
It is often argued that firearms are obsolete in a nuclear age. This is only partially true. If the U.S. were to be defeated on a nuclear scale, it could not be controlled remotely from across an ocean. Occupation by troops would be a necessity, and an expensive one if the populace were privately armed.
Finally, fellow graduate students and faculty members hope that the new Spencer Library, which will house the Department of Special Collections, will be open in the evenings and on the weekends with a schedule similar to that of Watson Library. Perhaps a petition will have to be circulated to ascertain such a request for longer hours. A research library should naturally be open as much as possible to encourage utilization of valuable books and manuscripts.
I agree with Mr. Williams that a mandatory orientation is needed for freshmen and perhaps even other patrons of the library. It would seem preferable to include an orientation program in English I even thought the objective of the course is to instruct students in the proper use of the English
Though off the subject of arms legislation, I would like to answer McWilliams condemnation of "sportsmen," whom he argued had "shot up enough of the game" and should turn their efforts to preservation of wildlife. This sentiment is so touching that I am tempted to believe that he was reading Bambi when at an impressionable age. As it stands, much wildlife owes its existence to the sportsman, as fish do to the fisherman.
With funds from licenses, required Federal Migratory Game stamps, and Kansas Upland Game stamps, game of all kinds is provided with reserves, food, shelter, and other assistance. Sportsmen and landowners intentionally neglect the potential profit in woods, draws, ponds, and overgrown fence rows so that game can live there for the enjoyment of all. On the whole, sportsmen provide the game for themselves and predators.
In summary, to believe that guns are the root of crime rather than its tool, is a naive attitude, if not ignorant. Firearms legislation has been tried without success, though many citizens tend to neglect, this minor point if it poses a barrier to their argument that "guns are nasty."
Registration of firearms will serve only to inform the government about the weapons of obedient citizens, and abolition will collect arms in the same manner it collects switchblades, dynamite, and hope.fully, this aura of emotional tension will fade before America makes the kind of mistake that other less permissive nations have already made.
John Neuenschwander Hoxie senior
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language and to discuss literature.
If every department were to share the responsibility of instructing students in the use of the library, there would be most likely undesirable duplication. The solution may be a combination of a movie and discussion within the early class periods of English I or as SAGE suggests a compulsory library-financed course (for about 6 to 8 weeks?) since the library is too complex for a short discussion of one day or a week. Whatever the solution, a library orientation is still necessary both in minimize the work of librarians and to aid the true student, one who is eager to learn.
In spite of inadequacies and inconveniences the library administration has made noteworthy improvements. Patrons should certainly feel pleased that they no longer have to fill out a call slip with name and address in order to check out books from the stacks. A more expedient means of checking out brief listing books has been achieved. Patrons should now be able to make quicker, more efficient use of new acquisitions although they are not catalogued.
The students of the University of Kansas should take pride in the fact that Watson Library ranks 30th in size and facilities according to the American Research Libraries Association.
Murle Mordy, Grad.
Respect must start at home
Ever since the era of Socrates the elder generation have been complaining about the younger and how lax and unresponsible they are becoming. Each generation is supposed to bring the end to civilization. Civilizations have died and new civilizations have flourished, but it was not just the younger generation that brought their downfall.
Today's society, like all societies is troubled. Assassination after assassination has shaken the core of American people. Riots, looting and burning have ripped American cities. The war in Vietnam has questioned American philosophies. Yet America is still a world power in the eyes of the world. It is too late to become an isolationist.
Yet now there seems to be a change coming over the American youth and young at heart. It could be a change which has grown inside for years but now it is reaching explosive proportions. People today have no respect for authority. The burden of educating the populace is falling more and more to the educational system, yet morals and the social concerns are being taught less and less.
The youngster learns disrespect in his home at an early age. He sees his father driving down the road at twice what the speed limit allows. He sees his mother maul fruit and clothing, literally ruining it, while shopping. He sees his parents cheating on their income tax. And finally he is permitted to break the law when they allow him to drive alone on a restricted license. Then a petty violation leads to bigger crimes.
The church is becoming obsolete among many young people of this nation. They no longer attend, because it is not the thing to do. They claim that the church is filled with hypocrites, who only practice what they preach on Sunday. The same people who lecture against alcohol on the sabbath are having the best time at the club the following Saturday.
If the young looking for respect cannot find it in the home or in the church, he quite often turns to the school. But modern education is being handcuffed more and more in the teaching of morals. After all they are to fill the head for facts . social concerns go by the wayside.
If society is in bad shape, then the only thing to do is correct it. This cannot be done by legislation or court decisions. It must be done with education on all levels. It must start at the home. The little child must have respect for authority, whether it is his mother slapping his hand for breaking a vase or a policeman giving his father a ticket for breaking a law.
And then the respect for authority must continue. This is not an anarchist society. This society was developed for the protection of all people. It was developed because there was a respect for the fellow man. This respect must remain.
New Books
A Gothic novel—Louise W. King's THE ROCHEMER HAG (Dell, 60 cents). Damsel in distress stuff. Do they do these things out of plot cards?
Tough guy stuff out of the late twenties—Dashiell Hammett's RED HARVEST (Dell, 50 cents). This guy was once the best of the bunch. His heroes seem rather staid today. And somewhat convincing, after all.
Tough guy stuff out of recent years—James Mayo's HAMMERHEAD (Dell, 60 cents); Brett Halliday's SO LUSH, SO DEADLY and MARKED FOR MURDER (Dell, 50 cents each). The latter are Mike Shayne books. All three are fast and entertaining and oh-so-fleeting.
A horse opera—Clifton Adams' DOOMSDAY CREEK (Dell,
50 cents). A hero and his battle with the Comanches.
A sex manual—John E. Eichenlaub's NEW APPROACHES TO SEX IN MARRIAGE (Dell, 75 cents). Yes sir, new approaches.
THE SUMMER SESSION kansan
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