A letter just passed down to us from the head of USAREUR hunting and fishing. This is a free and unofficial translation of a letter from the Mayor of Stuttgart Germany that has been sent to gun owners in Stuttgart.
"Dear Mr. /Ms. X
The happenings in Winnenden shocked and sorrowed all of us. They also brought up the question what we have to learn from the terrible incident.
Besides the controversial political debates it has shown itself that the availability and free access to weapons regularly factor in such mayhem. Thus I am contacting you as a gun owner directly. Especially you symbolize the correct handling of fire arms.
For many that already follow the rules this might seem a given. Reality however shows that is often not the case. The individual that does not follow the rules carries a large part of the blame when life is threatened or even endangered due to incorrect storage procedures.
Therefore I call on you to eliminate all factors in your environment that could enable misuse. I have asked my employees to increase checks on the correct storage of weapons ahead of any possible tightening of weapons laws.
Under the influence of the happenings in Winnenden I would like you to ask yourself personally if you really want to continue owning fire arms. No doubt you have followed the media showing many weapons owners who have already come to their conclusion and turned in their arms.
Arms and ammunition may be turned in at the weapons registration office within the office of public order. You may contact their personal under the phone numbers 216-8273 (last names starting with A to K) and 216-2015 (last names starting with L to Z) should you have any questions concerning correct storage or turn in procedures.
With best regards
Dr. Wolfgang Schuster (Lord Major of the city of Stuttgart)
This is a courtesy translation only!"
Fun stuff huh?
NGH
