Post
by Virendra S Rathore » Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:29 pm
There's no other way to thrash back on his article, so I've posted a feedback to Telegraph. I've mainly used the points of hvj1.
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The article is disguised between the modest legal fire-arm ownership in India and the violence rampant because of illegal arms in hands of militants and criminals.
Regarding the use of Mahatma Gandhi's quote - There is absolutely no ambiguity in it, read whatever way and part of it be. The message is loud and clear. "The hour of trial", as mentioned, clearly refers to any attack on this country by another, so far our defense forces have countered all such attacks with aplomb. There have been numerous instances, where, civilians in the initial stages of the attacks have countered the invading armies with their own legally issued weapons, providing a 'holding action', till such time the regular armies moved in.
That is one of the reasons, you will find, states like Punjab, Rajasthan, J.K. Arunachal Pradesh, who have faced the initial brunt of these attacks, carrying weapons openly. Now what else would you expect from the legally armed civilians , have they not stood up and be counted?
Also, in northern states, like Bihar, U.P. Haryana the first line of protection from dacoits is to be fenced by the common man, hence the open carrying of arms for purpose of self defense.
Sir, self-defense is not only a right of the citizenry, it is their responsibility. This individual accountability cannot be delegated.
The state and its law enforcement agencies are an organized deterrence to prevent organized crime. What about the random acts of violence an innocent citizen could face anytime anywhere in this country.
I find your statement, that infers that southern states are more aligned towards stricter arms acts and perhaps , as you would personally like it- to defrock the civilian populace of all legal arms as DIVISIVE.
I'd like to enlighten here that women in Bhatinda and in a village of Madhya Pradesh have all stood up and asked their administration for fire-arm licenses, so that they can protect themselves adequately. I hope you've read the story of Rukhsar, from J&K, the brave girl who snatched the weapon from a terrorist and shot him?
The gun is just a piece of metal like any other. Result depends on the hand using it - be it of a thug or a law abiding civilian. Why are you stopping the hand of a civilian?
Please do some research on the matter before hoisting your opinion on the public at large.
Do not write for the sake of writing. You are equating law abiding citizenry with thugs on a matter where fundamental rights are at stake.
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Virendra S Rathore
To Take my gun away for I might kill someone is just like cutting my throat for I might yell "Fire !!" in a crowded theatre ..
... for got to add the quotes.
