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Editorf’s Note: ‘The 800,000 figure referred to is probably inadequate, since 
it includes only portions of our country, and most date from 1910, not 1900. 
The figures are based on insurance actuarial estimates, and other population 
figures drawn from the federal Bureau of the Census." 
Again, the text of a handbill circulated by the Emergency Committee for Gun 
Control, citing crimes of violence by and with guns, when compared with the 
latest official United States Government and National Safety Council data 
shows the figures they quote are 3% to 8% times the true figure! 
Little published facts on the much touted New York Sullivan Law are: since 
1900 the registration fee has gone from 50 cents to §20.00. The President's 
Commission on Crime in the District of Columbia had this to say about it: 
"New York City administers the Sullivan Law's licensing provisions restrictively 
with the apparent goal of making private ownership of guns as uncommon as 
possible; compliance is burdensome and pre-licensing in registration are ex- 
haustive." Another source points up that unlicensed hand guns accounted for 
87.16% of New YOrk City firearms crimes in 1966. Any wonder the sportsman 
and gun owner fights the political and bureaucratic pressures for more power? 
Right here at home, a recent TV panel show with two Northwestern University 
law professors pointed out that some 6000 arrests involving persons with con- 
cealed weapons were made but only 200 prosecutions were instituted! Right 
here in Chicago. 
Then there are the voices against violence on TV. No less a personage than 
Senator Dodd, the leading proponent of anti-gun legislation stated back in 
1964: "It has been found that normal persons who see a violent television 
film subsequently exhibit nearly twice as much violence as persons who have not 
seen such a film.'' When we look at the television violence ground out nightly 
and in detail, we can but wonder that the "vested" interests in this field, 
many of them congressmen and even the President of the United States, all with 
strong financial interests in the TV industry, allow its continuing espousal 
of violence. 
Keep in mind that new anti-gun legislation now pending in Congress would force 
States to pass anti-gun laws or lose Federal conservation money. This is re- 
cognized as a violation of every ethic of good government and any law that 
must depend on blackmail to be enacted is invariably a poor law. Neither 
should we lose sight of the fact that the hunter-sportsman imposes a tax on 
himself in the amount of 10% on all sporting arms and ammunition he buys. This 
s a Federal tax and is rebated to the states on the basis of hunting licenses 
1d for land acquisition and game and wildlife management research..Some of 
ese funds have been used here in Illinois for Prairie Chicken preservation 
programs. Many wildlife areas, enjoyed by all have been possible from this tax, 
You say they could be made up from appropriations from the general fund? Well, 
right now they tell you money is needed for more “urgent" programs, conservation 
can wait. 
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The Volstead Act was supposed to cure all ills caused by alcohol. We are all 
familiar with the end result. Is it unreasonable to assume that the hysterical 
gun proposals could be the initiating force for another such era? It's not 
as far fetched as you might think. 
Ralph Smith - President IFSC 
8910 S. Hermitage 
Chiecagqey *1iis* 60629 

