I met with a friend of mine over coffee….Elmo….we have known each other since high school…..we did not run in the same circles….he was a conservative racist redneck and I was the “pinko, Commie” of the class…..we met and got caught up for we had not talked for about 6 months….and then he started with the political stuff…..knowing that I would not agree with him on much…..personally I think he does this just to get his blood pressure up before he goes to the doctor so he can blame me for all his ails.
Elmo started spouting his concerns that the country was moving to control gun ownership……I had to ask him to provide me with proof of his statement….of course he went on about Obama this and Obama that…but as usual there was plenty of bitching and name calling but little proof.
I asked him if he could remember the late 60’s early ’70’s……and ask if he remember Reagan and the Mulford Act…..he got agitated and ask what that had to do with what he was saying…..
(This is where I insert my typical historical perspective….you are welcome)
The Mulford Act was proposed by a California representative because of the Black Panthers call to arms…..it would later be called the “Panther Law”….
The Mulford Act was a 1967 California bill which repealed a law allowing public carrying of loaded firearms. Named after Republican assemblyman Don Mulford, the bill was crafted in response to members of the Black Panther party conducting armed patrols of Oakland neighborhoods while conducting what would later be termed copwatching. They garnered national attention after the Black Panthers marched bearing arms upon the California State Capitol to protest the bill.
Republicans in California supported increased gun control. California Governor Ronald Reagan was present when the protesters arrived and later commented that he saw “no reason why on the street today a citizen should be carrying loaded weapons.” and that guns were a “ridiculous way to solve problems that have to be solved among people of good will.” In a later press conference, Reagan added that the Mulford Act “would work no hardship on the honest citizen.”
The bill was signed by Governor Ronald Reagan and became California penal code25850 and 171c
Well Elmo gave me a typical rebut to the historical perspective……that was another time….things are different now.
I replied that it did not matter the date….that it was the most strict gun control law of the US and it was signed into law by one Ronnie Reagan…..I believe he was a Republican back in those days…..right?
Elmo then gave me another typical answer…..”you want be so smug when they come get your guns.”
I then said….”they have been coming for them for the last 30 years and they must have stopped to go through the drive-thru because they have not made it yet.”
“And I am still awaiting for that all out race war that you predicted back in high school”. Then I asked….”Just what in Hell are they wanting for?”
Our short reunion ended the way it always ends…….Elmo pissed off to the max and ranting in four letter words and storming off……
I guess it will be another 6 months before we have our coffee and get caught up.
