Band Camp Productions
01-29-03, 08:31 PM
You know, there are days when I love being a Lib...
Manhattan Libertarians start (toy) Guns for Tots campaign - Tongues firmly in cheeks, the Manhattan Libertarian Party has launched a "Guns for Tots" drive to protest a new city gun-control bill. Toy guns, that is.
On January 22, Manhattan LP spokesman Jim Lesczynski publicly announced the "philanthropic" campaign, which will work to give toy guns – including water pistols and cap guns -- to the city's children.
The drive is a response to a new bill that would prohibit the sale or possession of any toy gun that resembles a real weapon.
"Playing with a water pistol is one of the most cherished rites of childhood," said Lesczynski. "We want to give that experience to New York's children before the spoilsports in City Hall take it away permanently."
The anti-toy-gun bill (Intro 298) is sponsored by city council members David Weprin (D-Queens) and Albert Vann (D-Brooklyn). It would make it illegal to sell or possess any toy gun that is not brightly colored or otherwise obviously not an actual firearm.
Lesczynski said the bill's sponsors are killjoys who want to take away the simple pleasures of childhood.
"We think Weprin and Vann are all wet for going after our kids' Super Soakers [water guns]," he said. "I have a toddler myself, and I was looking forward to watching her play with a squirt gun this summer, just like all of us did in our youths, including these hypocritical council members. We drenched each other, and we lived to tell the tale."
The Manhattan LP will collect toy guns and cash contributions to purchase toy guns from LP members and New York City residents until February 6, the day the city council's Consumer Affairs Committee has scheduled a hearing on the bill.
After testifying at the City Hall hearing, Lesczynski said he and other LP members will head uptown to distribute the toy guns outside P.S. 72 in Harlem.
Lesczynski dismissed concerns that the Manhattan LP might get criticized for giving (toy) guns to kids.
"We're doing this for the children," he said. "If we can bring a little joy into the lives of New York's youth -- while such joy is still legal – then Guns for Tots will be a success."
[January 28]
http://www.lp.org/lpnews/0303/GunsforTots.html
<i>Edited for <a href="http://bushwhacked.net">Page Two</a> - jb$</i>
Manhattan Libertarians start (toy) Guns for Tots campaign - Tongues firmly in cheeks, the Manhattan Libertarian Party has launched a "Guns for Tots" drive to protest a new city gun-control bill. Toy guns, that is.
On January 22, Manhattan LP spokesman Jim Lesczynski publicly announced the "philanthropic" campaign, which will work to give toy guns – including water pistols and cap guns -- to the city's children.
The drive is a response to a new bill that would prohibit the sale or possession of any toy gun that resembles a real weapon.
"Playing with a water pistol is one of the most cherished rites of childhood," said Lesczynski. "We want to give that experience to New York's children before the spoilsports in City Hall take it away permanently."
The anti-toy-gun bill (Intro 298) is sponsored by city council members David Weprin (D-Queens) and Albert Vann (D-Brooklyn). It would make it illegal to sell or possess any toy gun that is not brightly colored or otherwise obviously not an actual firearm.
Lesczynski said the bill's sponsors are killjoys who want to take away the simple pleasures of childhood.
"We think Weprin and Vann are all wet for going after our kids' Super Soakers [water guns]," he said. "I have a toddler myself, and I was looking forward to watching her play with a squirt gun this summer, just like all of us did in our youths, including these hypocritical council members. We drenched each other, and we lived to tell the tale."
The Manhattan LP will collect toy guns and cash contributions to purchase toy guns from LP members and New York City residents until February 6, the day the city council's Consumer Affairs Committee has scheduled a hearing on the bill.
After testifying at the City Hall hearing, Lesczynski said he and other LP members will head uptown to distribute the toy guns outside P.S. 72 in Harlem.
Lesczynski dismissed concerns that the Manhattan LP might get criticized for giving (toy) guns to kids.
"We're doing this for the children," he said. "If we can bring a little joy into the lives of New York's youth -- while such joy is still legal – then Guns for Tots will be a success."
[January 28]
http://www.lp.org/lpnews/0303/GunsforTots.html
<i>Edited for <a href="http://bushwhacked.net">Page Two</a> - jb$</i>