From: SW629C@aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Sep 1995 20:14:25 -0400 To: chan@shell.portal.com Subject: Operation Lexington-Concord 1(5) OLCPOLL.TXT ======cut here====== UPLOADER'S COMMENTS The following is the text of the entire OLC Report, reproduced as accurately as was possible. Pages which are absent were inappropriate or unadaptable to a pure text format, or were intentionally blank within the report. Physically, the report was prepared as a softcover booklet, of page size 8-1/2"x11", black print on white, two-sided, enclosed within a heavy paper cover; the cover was black print on a white background, and against a shadow of the American flag in blue. Typographical errors in the original report were retained, for the most part, in the ASCII version, for the sake of accuracy. Pages are divided herein, with page numbers noted at the bottom. First-run printing of approximately 400 copies was August 1995. Reproduction of the contents of this file is permitted, and encouraged, to afford as wide a circulation of the study's findings as possible. Comments of the contributing authors represent their own views, although all commentaries were approved, by the OLC project team, as they appeared, prior to publication. Contact information for OLC project team members and Special Staff appears as provided. ------------------------------------------ PAUL GALLANT, O.D. E-Mail Address - 70274.1222@compuserve.com ============================================================================ XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ============================================================================ XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X OPERATION X X X X X X LEXINGTON-CONCORD X X _____ X X X X A REPORT TO CONGRESS X X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ============================================================================ OPERATION LEXINGTON-CONCORD PO Box 52 Obernburg, NY 12767 (914)482-3426 September 13, 1995 Congress clearly did not, and does not, understand how deeply affected ordinary Americans were by their government's actions at Ruby Ridge and at Waco; this is true for New Yorkers, no less than for Idahoans and Texans. That failure, and the growing feeling that their representatives are not doing just that - namely, representing THEM - has become the source of a great deal of widespread frustration among Americans. The Operation Lexington-Concord is the first study, ever, of its kind - a nationwide survey and analysis of the attitudes of legal gun-owners in America. Unlike the biased, politically-contaminated studies often presented by groups and organizations which have a firearm-prohibitionist agenda, [that group including a fair number of studies which have appeared in the medical literature], Operation Lexington-Concord is objective, and the result of a wholly grassroots volunteer effort. And, unlike most other polls of any type, the sample size in the present study is far larger. The importance of the findings of this study are momentous, and two unexpected findings are outstanding among all the rest: - 51.8% of all respondents cited "government" as their greatest fear in life in America today, and - 73.7% of all respondents stated they would actively resist governmental confiscation of their firearms. Firearm-related legislation, when premised on inaccurate or biased information, has the very real potential to lead policy-makers, both within and without government, down a socially-destructive path. The ramifications of the findings of Operation Lexington-Concord are profoundly linked to the very future of America; it is therefore absolutely vital, and a matter of great urgency, that members of Congress be aware of them. RICHARD A. EHRMANN, Project Coordinator Operation Lexington-Concord ----------------------------------[Original Cover Letter]------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON-CONCORD PO Box 52 Obernburg, NY 12767 (914)482-3426 September 21, 1995 Enclosed is a copy of a report prepared for Congress, giving the results of a grassroots nationwide survey of law-abiding firearm owners - the Lexington-Concord Study. Unlike the biased, politically-contaminated studies often presented by groups and organizations which have a firearm-prohibitionist agenda, [that group including a fair number of studies which have appeared in the medical literature], the Lexington-Concord study is objective, and the results of a wholly grassroots effort. It should be noted that: - Returns were received from 48 states. - Respondents represented over 685 different occupational groups. - Many of the questions on the poll are open-ended, requiring a definitive thought process prior to answering. - Almost 7,000 people responded to this effort. These factors, coupled with the fact that the sample size is far larger than other polls of any type, only enhance the credibility of the findings of the Lexington-Concord study. The major concerns expressed by the respondents include: [1] Widespread fear and mistrust of government - 51.8% of all respondents cited "government" as their greatest fear in America today [2] Mistrust of the present administration and the major media sources [3] Little confidence in our current Judicial System [4] Overwhelming contempt for "gun-control" - 73.7% of all respondents stated they would actively resist governmental confiscation of their firearms. The message conveyed in Lexington-Concord is one that should come across, LOUD AND CLEAR, to all members of Congress, in whom was placed the trust of all hardworking, honest, taxpaying American citizens - in short, the very people who make this country work! From the findings of Lexington-Concord, it seems eminently clear that the only way Americans will regain confidence and trust in their government is for their elected representatives to govern in accordance with America's blueprint for Liberty - the Constitution, and ALL of its Bill of Rights! RICHARD A. EHRMANN, Project Coordinator Operation Lexington-Concord ----------[Cover Letter Used With Copies Delivered After 9/21/95]----------- OPERATION LEXINGTON-CONCORD PO Box 52 Obernburg, NY 12767 (914) 482-3426 Highlights The Operation Lexington-Concord Study is a grassroots, nationwide survey of l w-abiding American firearm owners. A 26-question mail-back polling form was utilized. - Time Frame: 19 April 94 -19 April 95 - Total Returns: 6820 - States Reporting: 48 - Number of gun-owner occupations: 685 - Percentage of respondents who are in Law Enforcement or Military: 9.16% - Percentage of respondents who have been crime victims: 37.9% - Percentage of civilians who have used a firearm in self defense: 19.1% - Major findings of study: * 51.8% of all respondents cited "government" as their greatest fear in life in America today * 73.7% of aIl respondents stated they would actively resist governmental confiscation of their firearms ERRATA AND COMMENT It must be pointed out that this study is fully the product of an all-volunteer grassroots effort, from the distribution of surveys, to the typing of the final manuscript. Contributors were separated geographically, and had little or no opportunity for the mutual exchange of ideas, or for any discussion of survey conclusions and implications. Unlike some politically-motivated studies, funded with multi-million-dollar government grants, this project was not underwritten by any outside agency or organization; it was, in contrast, funded wholly through the contributions of individuals or local sources. Compared to the message the study carries, the errors you may find are trivial. For example: - P. 2, last paragraph, last line - should read "one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five". - P. 39, Abstract, line 2 - should rend "3500 respondents". The discrepancy between this number, and the larger number of respondents cited within the study, lies in the fact that this particular commentary was written prior to the final tabulation of all survey responses; all statistics cited therein are based on the initial 3500 surveys. Yet, it should also be noted that the findings which arise from the tabulation of the larger group, inclusive of subsequent surveys, do not differ substantially from these preliminary findings. The strength of the Operation Lexington-Concord study lies in fact that it emanates not from the halls of academia, but from the hearts of American people. RlCHARD A. EHRMANN, Project Coordinator Operation Lexington-Concord ----------------------------------[Addendum, Inside Cover]------------------ OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 INTRODUCTION Perhaps no other aspect of life in the United States will raise such an emotional reaction from both sides of the issue than that of an American's Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Those people that advocate tighter restrictions on firearms ownership point to the current crime problem as justification for their position, indeed some even propose that all privately owned guns be confiscated by the Government. On the other side of this controversy are the approximately 70 million law abiding, tax paying productive members of our society that choose to exercise their rights, as provided in the Constitution, to avail themselves of the means to defend themselves from a criminal threat which all levels of Government have failed to curb. It is the authors contention that the right of private gun ownership is one of the most emotional and potentially divisive issues facing this country since the Civil War. This project was undertaken for the express purpose of availing those citizens that choose to keep Firearms, the opportunity to express their heartfelt concerns pertaining to crime, so called "gun control" and other issues of life in the United States. The results of these concerns which are contained in this report are hereby passed on to members of the United States Congress for their consideration and edification. While the compilation of the evidence presented in this document represents a 'GRASS ROOTS' effort undertaken by ordinary Americans rather than by statistical experts, there should be no doubt about the sincerity of the effort or the earnestness of the respondents. The returned survey polls indicate that a significant portion of the productive, tax paying and law abiding segment of the U.S. population hold the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to be sacred documents that preserve their rights as free people. As the attached report will reveal, many are more than willing to resist any power, be it foreign or domestic, that attempts to violate said Constitution or further infringe on the 2nd Amendment in our Bill of Rights. During the course of this project, an honest attempt was made to enlist responses from all segments of American society, the only restrictions imposed was that a respondent had to be at least eighteen years of age, a U.S. citizen, never been convicted of a crime and the owner of a firearm. The report will reveal that over seventy-five percent of the respondents are married, and represent a cross section of American society, although a vast majority are white. It will also show that gun ownership is represented in over six hundred different occupational groups. Many of these occupations are the very fabric that makes our country function. Indeed, it is the author's contention that if on any given day, all of the law abiding gun owners of this country went on strike, the entire country would cease to function. ----------------------------------[1]--------------------------------------- Again, we the members of Lexington Concord urge the readers of this report, to take the results of this survey seriously while at the same time reflect on the early history of our great nation and those events which caused its transition from a colony of the British Empire into the great Independent Republic that it now is. Over two hundred years ago the citizens of the original Thirteen Colonies considered themselves to be loyal British subjects and although the issue of taxation without representation was the issue of the day, it was not until the British Government attempted to disarm those same Colonists did the spark of Revolution ignite at Lexington Concord. The framers of our great Constitution clearly understood the need for a responsible armed citizenry as a hedge against possible future Government Tyranny. Indeed, the Second Amendment clearly provides for that protection. In the words of Thomas Jefferson: "The strongest reason for the people to keep and bear arms is as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in the government." In the words of Alexander Hamilton: (Federalist Papers) "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed:' In the words of James Madison: (Federalist Papers) "Americans have the advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust people with arms:' With a pledge of allegiance to the United States of America and an affirmation to support and defend the Constitution of said States, we the following named individuals hereby in good faith and loyalty submit the following to congress on this the l9th day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand one hundred and ninety-five. Richard A. Ehrmann Project Co-ordinator Operation Lexington Concord ----------------------------------[2]--------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 LIST OF ANNEXES: ANNEX "A" PROJECT OPERATIONS ORDER ANNEX "B" ELIGIBILITY OF RESPONDENTS ANNEX "C" METHODS OF DISTRIBUTING THE POLL SURVEY ANNEX "D" SAMPLE SURVEY FORM ANNEX "E" POLL TABULATION RESULTS 1. CIVILIAN 2. LAW ENFORCEMENT & MILITARY 3. COMMENTS ANNEX "F" SAMPLE POLL RETURNS ANNEX "G" GUN OWNER OCCUPATIONS ANNEX "H" PROFESSIONAL CONCLUSIONS ANNEX "I" INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE ANNEX "J" PROJECT STAFF ANNEX "K" REFERENCE SOURCES ----------------------------------[3]--------------------------------------- ANNEX "A" "OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD" EFFECTIVE: 19 APRIL 1994 EXPIRES: 19 APRIL 1995 MISSION/PURPOSE: To conduct a cross section survey poll of Firearms' Owners within the United States so as to ascertain their underlying views and concerns about, and effect of, further Federal/State Firearms' Legislation. OBJECTIVE: To present to the Congress of the United States the most accurate, intelligent information possible as to the effects and ramifications of future Firearms' Legislation as it relates to the internal security of the United States. Such information will be set forth in an "INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY". EXECUTION: (A) This project will be undertaken by a volunteer group of former and active military and law enforcement and concerned private citizens. No assistance will be asked for or expected of corporations or National organizations All operations will be conducted and removed from outside influence and all necessary funding will be individually or locally generated. (B) No copies of this project and the resulting summary and conclusions will be made available to the media or general public until it has been delivered to Congress. (C) This project is not sponsored by any Branch or Agency of Government. COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS: SEE ATTACHED ANNEX Richard A. Ehrmann Project Coordinator Operation Lexington Concord P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 ----------------------------------[6]--------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 ANNEX "B" ELIGIBILITY OF PARTICIPANTS: MUST BE: 1. A U.S. CITIZEN 2. OWN A FIREARM 3. EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER 4. HAVE NO CRIMINAL RECORD Allow participants to fill our questionnaire without interference. Have participants use a ballpoint pen and print answers legibly. Do not discriminate as to age, sex, race, or political party affiliation. Honesty is of crucial importance. Do not change or alter results. Attempt to get other people involved as poll takers. Local reproduction of these forms is authorized. ----------------------------------[7]--------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 ANNEX "C" METHODS OF DISTRIBUTING THE POLL THE FOLLOWING METHODS WERE EMPLOYED BY THE PROJECT TEAM TO DISTRIBUTE THE SURVEY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES: l. ONE-ON-ONE PERSONAL CONTACTS 2. THROUGH SPORTSMEN ORGANIZATIONS 3. AT LOCAL GUN SHOWS 4. THROUGH EACH STATE RIFLE AND PISTOL ASSOCIATION 5. THROUGH VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATIONS. 6. MAILED OUT TO POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS UPON REQUEST. NOTE: The reader is invited to inspect the rear portion of the following sample survey form which provides a pre-printed return address, thereby facilitating response. The validity of the returns can be verified by the canceled stamp which tends to prove the origin of the respondent. In some instances, recipients of the survey form took it upon themselves to copy and distribute additional forms, collect them from the respondents and then bulkmailed them back to the project headquarters. Many state rifle and pistol associations cooperated with this project by including a copy of the survey poll form in their organizations newsletters. ----------------------------------[8]--------------------------------------- ANNEX D SURVEY POLL OF ANNEX D Sample Poll LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS IN THE U.S. You must (1) be a US Citizen (2) be 18 years of age (3) not have a criminal record (4) own a firearm 1. Your age 2. Your sex 3. Your race 4. Are you: Married___ Single___ Divorced___ 5. Your Occupation__________________________ 6. Annual income: 0-25,000___ 25-50,000___ 50,000+___ 7. Have you ever been a crime victim? Yes___ No___ If so, please describe: 8. Have you ever used a firearm for self defense? Yes___ No___ If so, please describe: 9. Do you believe a US Citizen has a undeniable right of self defense? Yes___ No___ 10. Do you believe in God? Yes___ No___ 11. Do you live in a: City___ Suburb___ Rural___ 12. Are you a Military Veteran? Yes___ No___ If so, did you serve in combat? Yes___ No___ 13. Use of your firearms: (check as many as needed) Hunting_____ Target shooting_____ Collecting_____ Personal or home protection_____ Other______________________________ 14. What do you believe to be the underlying cause or causes of crime in the United States? (print) 15. Do you feel that the present administration and the news media in general, accurately portray law abiding gun owners? 16. Would you be willing to boycott products that are advertised through anti-gun media sources? Yes___ No___ 17. Are you a member of the NRA? Yes___ No___ 18. What is the biggest fear concerning life in the United States? (print) 19. Do you honestly believe that the 2nd Amendment to the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States, grants you as an individual, the right to keep and bear arms? Yes___ No___ If yes, what do you believe to be the purpose of this right? 20. Do you support any further "anti-gun" legislation? Yes___ No___ If so, describe: 21. By advocating more restrictive firearms laws, do you believe that the Clinton Administration is fulfilling his oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States? Yes___ No___ 22. If the Federal or State Government undertook a program to confiscate privately owned firearms, would you: A. Comply and surrender all firearms_____ B. Passively resist_____ C. Actively resist_____ 23. Are you presently a member of: Law Enforcement_____ Active Military_____ Guard/Reserve_____ 24. If you are a member of the Armed Forces (active, guard, reserve, or law enforcement) would you consider an order to participate in such a program as a: Legal order_____ Illegal order_____ Would you obey such an order? Yes___ No___ 25. What is your state of residence?_________ 26. Have you ever been asked your opinion on gun control by a major media source i.e.: ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, or newspaper? Yes___ No___ If yes, please describe: If you would like more information or you would like to help, please include your name, address, and phone number. ----------------------------------[9]--------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD - a survey of legal firearms owners. PURPOSE: to conduct a cross section survey poll of firearms owners within the United States so as to ascertain their underlying views and concerns about, and effects of, further Federal/State firearms legislation. OBJECTIVE: to present to the Congress of the United States and State Legislature, the most accurate intelligence information possible as to the effects and ramifications of future firearms legislation as it relates to the internal security of the United States. Such information will be set forth in an "Intelligence Summary". We are a "GRASS ROOTS" group. WE SEEK NO MONETARY SUPPORT. All we ask of you is to make a few copies of this form and forward them on to your friends. Then fill out the questionnaire yourself, fold on the lines as indicated, staple, and mail it back to us. Your total investment in helping to conduct this survey is a little pocket change for some postage and some of your time. What you will get is the satisfaction that you have done your part to help to get a strong message across to our recently proposed gun legislation. -------------------------------- FOLD HERE -------------------------------- --------------------------------- FOLD HERE -------------------------------- ---------- | Place | | Stamp | | Here | ---------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. BOX 52 OBERNBURG, NY 12767 ----------------------------------[10]-------------------------------------- ANNEX E SURVEY POLL OF LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS IN THE U.S. You must (1) be a US Citizen (2) be 18 years of age (3) not have a criminal record (4) own a firearm Law & RESPONSE Civilian Military 1. Your age 18-35 22.8% 22% 36-50 38.7% 45% 50+ 38.5% 33% 2. Your sex Male 93.1% 97% Female 6.9% 3% 3. Your race White 96.7% 96% Note: Some respondents Black 1.0% 1% did not list their Other 2.5% 3% race. Note: The majority of "Other" were Native Americans 4. Are you: Married 75% 78% Single 16.6% 14% Divorced 8.4% 8% 5. Your Occupation 6. Annual income 0-25,000 24.9% 20% 25-50,000 47.9% 54% 50,000+ 27.2% 26% 7. Have you ever been a crime victim? Yes 37.9% 47% No If so, please describe: 8. Have you ever used a firearm for self defense? Yes 19.1% 45% No If so, please describe: 9. Do you believe a US Citizen has a undeniable right of self defense? Yes 99.9% 100% No 10. Do you believe in God? Yes 93.4% 95% No 11. Do you live in a: City 28.1% 28% Suburb 40% 38% Rural 31.9% 34% 12. Are you a Military Veteran? Yes 43.2% 65% No If so, did you serve in combat? Yes 13.7% 27% No 13. Use of your firearms: (check as many as needed) Hunting 77% 75% Target shooting 93% 94% Collecting 54% 56% Personal or home protection 89% 100% Other 14. What do you believe to be the underlying cause or causes of crime in the United States? (print) Failed Justice system 49.2% 53% Gov't programs 31.0% 50% Drugs 20.0% 19% Lack of Family Values 33.7% 51% Poverty 1.0% 1% TV & Movies 1.4% 3% 15. Do you feel that the present administration and the news media in general, accurately portray law abiding gun owners? "No" 99.9% 99% 16. Would you be willing to boycott products that are advertised through anti-gun media sources? Yes 95.5% 95% No ----------------------------------[11]-------------------------------------- 17. Are you a member of the NRA? Yes 76.4% 83% No 18. What is the biggest fear concerning life in the United States? (print) Gov.t Tyranny/Intrusion 51.4% 56% Crime 35.7% 37% The Economy 4.6% 5% Other: <1% <1% War, health care, etc 19. Do you honestly believe that the 2nd Amendment to the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States, grants you as an individual, the right to keep and bear arms? Yes 98.9% 97% No If yes, what do you believe to be the purpose of this right? Check & Balance on Gov't 63.3% 76% to prevent tyranny To defend country 12.1% 15% Personal/Family protection 47.5% 49% Note: Most respondents listed more than one purpose. 20. Do you support any further "anti-gun" legislation? Yes No 96.5% 95% If so, describe: Note: Most respondents that answered "yes" called for stiffer penalties for the criminal use of a firearm. Less than 1% wanted more gun control. 21. By advocating more restrictive firearms laws, do you believe that the Clinton Administration is fulfilling his oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States? Yes No 96% 98% 22. If the Federal or State Government undertook a program to confiscate privately owned firearms, would you: A. Comply and surrender all firearms 1.4% 1% B. Passively resist 25% 18% C. Actively resist 73% 81% 23. Are you presently a member of: Law Enforcement 61% Active Military 15% Guard/Reserve 24% 24. If you are a member of the Armed Forces (active, guard, reserve, or law enforcement) would you consider an order to participate in such a program as a: Legal order Illegal order 62% Would you obey such an order? Yes No 59% 25. What is your state of residence? 26. Have you ever been asked your opinion on gun control by a major media source i.e.: ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, or newspaper? Yes No 98.1% 98% If yes, please describe: Note: All respondents that answered "yes" stated that their pro-2nd Amendment stance was never aired or printed. If you would like more information or you would like to help, please include your name, address, and phone number. ----------------------------------[12]-------------------------------------- Comparison Of Responses To Poll Survey (1) (2) Poll Questions and Responses Poll Ave. Non NRA Ave. # 18 Greatest Fear: Government Tyranny & Intrusion 51.4% 52.1 % # 19 Purpose of 2nd Amendment: Check & Balance on Government 63.3% 69.1 % #22 Government Confiscates Firearms: Actively Resist 73.0% 78.0% Note: (1) Poll average response includes both NRA members and Non-NRA members. (2) Column two reflects responses from Non-NRA Members only. ----------------------------------[13]-------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 4S2-3426 PROJECT COORDINATOR'S COMMENTS: During the course of this project, one-on-one personal interviews were conducted with various segments of the firearms owning population. Lines of questioning were similar to that of the printed survey and an honest attempt was made to elicit the respondents views and concerns relative to the purpose of the survey. Some of these findings include the following observations: l. Concerns about over regulation and intrusion into peoples lives by the Federal Government. 2. Statements to the effect that the news media over emphasizes crime, but at the same time, they capitalize by showing violent TV shows. As the poll survey results show, almost all felt that the media does not accurately portray law abiding gun owners nor do they report the numerous times that such people use their firearms for self protection or to prevent a crime. 3. Several people stated that the reason they did not join the National Rifle Association is that they did not want their names on any "gun owner" list. 4. Many respondents were alarmed at the way the Federal Government conducted the WACO incident. To some,it appeared that the agencies involved used methods and means similar to a Nazi police state. 5. Some respondents to the poll stated that they had never owned a firearm in their lives until the recent government effort to institute more gun control measures. 6. Female respondents stated emphatically that they felt any ban on handguns would violate or infringe their right of self defense. In many aspects, the female respondents were more assertive in their answers than the male respondents. 7. The following set of charts depicting the relative rate of crime and gun ownership in both rural and urban areas is meant to show that there is no correlation between the number of guns in a given area and the crime rate. Indeed, chart number 2 shows that a rural northern town with an estimated gun to resident ratio of 4.5 firearms for each resident has a zero violent crime rate, while the City of Washington D.C., which has the most restrictive gun laws in the country, has a murder rate of 227 per 100,000. ----------------------------------[14]-------------------------------------- CHART #2 Comparison "Washington D.C. and Rural America" Rural America and Firearms and Intercity Residents and Guns Point of Fact: There is no correlation between the number of firearms in the hands of responsible citizens and the actual crime rate. Example: Town of Fremont, Sullivan County, New York 100 miles northwest of New York City, Rural, 1350 full time residents. It is estimated by the former mayor who is a lifelong resident that approximately 99% of all homes within the township have some type of firearm. A recent informal one on one survey revealed that there are approximately 4.5 firearms for each of the towns residents. Information gathered by Operation Lexington Concord staff. We believe that this situation is typical of rural America. Question: If guns are the cause of crime, why is this town relatively crime free? Answer: Irresponsible people cause crime. ----------------------------------[16]-------------------------------------- Gun Owner Occupations: Law Enforcement & Military Respondents U.S. Army U.S. Air Force U.S. Marines U.S. Navy Army National Guard Air National Guard U.S. Army Reserve U.S. Navy Reserve U.S. Marines Reserve U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Police Officer Constable Transit Police NYC Sheriff Sheriff's Deputy Corrections Officer Police Reserve Police Auxiliary State Police Safety Officer FAA Inspector State Police Police Dispatcher Police Technician Fire Marshall Security Consultant Security Guard Court Attorney Court Officer Conservation Police Park Ranger U. S. Detective Town Marshall Special Agent U.S. U.S. Customs Inspector F.B.I. U.S. Marshall U.S. Border Patrol U.S. Federal Police Officer U.S. Postal Inspector Federal Security Officer U.S. Probation Officer Private Investigator Pier Guard Armed National Security Officer Note: Total number of Law Enforcement & Military respondents 620. ----------------------------------[24]-------------------------------------- Gun Owner Occupations: Civilian Respondents Accountant Ambulance Driver Administrator Arborist Aircraft Maintenance Attorney Architect Auto Parts Sales Aerospace Engineer Audio Visual Technician Aircraft Inspector Aircraft Refueler Airline Employee Armored Car Driver Archivist & Records Keeper Annealer Aquatic Biologist Aircraft Parts Manager Accounts Consultant Auto Technician AV. Commo Specialist Advertising Director Author Aerospace Supervisor Acct. Clerk Antique Dealer Astronomer A.A Craftsman Agribusiness Woman Artist Anesthetist Aerobics Instructor Auto Worker Airline Pilot Advertising Sales Airman (USAF) Auto Body Repair Auto Dealer Auto Worker Air Force Officer Aerodynamic Researcher Appraiser Asphalt Layer Athletic Manager Army Officer AT. & T Installer Animal Rights Activist Appliance Technician Aircraft Mechanic Business Owner Boiler-Maker Broadcast Engineer Bank Clerk Bond Salesman Bus Mechanic Bookbinder Barber Budget Analyst Buyer Bus Owner Bullet Maker Boat Technician Bookkeeper Boot Maker Bus Driver Butcher Biologist Builder Book Seller Burglar Alarm Technician Bartender Brokerage Agent Bridge Inspector Brick Layer Beaver Trapper Biotechnician College Student C.P.A Civil Engineer Civil Engineering Technician Captain Merchant Marine Chemical Operator Computer Technician Courier Conductor Chemical Plant Designer Commercial Fisherman Credit Union Employee Coast Guard Officer Coast Guard Seaman Cement Finisher Columnist Newspaper Contract Specialist Campaign Coordinator Commercial Pilot Caterer Court Interpreter Chemical Technician Contract Coordinator Customs Inspector Caretaker Contract Administrator Counselor/Pastor County Administrator County Supervisor Contract Administrator Certified Financial Planner Computer Manager Computer Analyst Cook Counselor Cafeteria Monitor Corporate Officer Carpet Layer Checker Clerk Computer Programmer Custodian Correction Officer Carpenter Chef Claims Adjuster Commo. Equip. Sales Consultant Customer Service Car Jockey Cargo Handler Community Residence Director Cryogenic Mechanic Conveyor Mechanic Child Care Worker College Maint. Staff Civil Service Chemist City Employee Construction Worker College Professor Contractor Controller Corporate Pilot Court Officer Contract Manager Computer Specialist Craftsman Counter Person Computer Consultant Communications Worker Computer Engineer Chemical Blender Cable T.V. Technician Chiropractor Call Center Supervisor Campground Manager Dairy Farmer Designer Draftsman Dental Hygienist Director Doctor Data Entry Operator Dentist Disabled Veteran Dry Cleaner Die Maker Data Processor Disability Examiner Deputy Dental Technician ----------------------------------[25]-------------------------------------- Day Care Worker Die Setter Data Coordinator Delivery Driver Dock Worker Diesel Mechanic Desk Officer Sheriff Deck Builder Dean of Admissions Dean of Academics Department of Defense Civilian Engraver Electric Engineer Electrical Inspector Executive Engineering Supervisor Electrical Contractor Electrician Electronics Technician Environmentalist Emergency Medical Technician Employment Advisor Environmental Scientist Educator Ergonomist Elevator Mechanic Environmental Health Technician Fire Rescue Finance Officer Forecaster Field Rep. Fire Alarm Tech. Firearms Technician Farmer Firefighter Factory Worker Foreman Fuel Service Mechanic Forklift Op. Food Service Worker Financial Analyst Firearms Distributor Food Service Manager Federal Employee Forest Ranger Federal Law Enforcement FBI Fire Service Furrier Financial Planner Fleet Sales Manager Field Engineer Forester Fisheries Biologist Factory Owner Fire Inspector Fire Code Officer Fire Marshall Firearms Engraver Fitness Instructor Fiberglass Worker Gunsmith Guide Gift Shop Owner Grocer Gun Store Owner G.E. Worker General Foreman Game Warden Gun Maker Government Employee Gun Dealer Glazier Greens Keeper Gas Management Systems Director Garage Owner Grocery Stocker Grain Miller Government Affairs Officer Hospital Administrator Housewife Harbor Pilot NYC Heavy Eqpt Operator Helicopter Mechanic Helicopter Pilot Hunting Guide Health Care Worker Heating Oil Dealer Health Care administrator House Husband Hair Stylist Horticulturist Horse Farmer HVAC. Hardware Technician Insurance Agent Instrument Repairman Insurance Underwriter Inspector Investigator Invoice Approver Industrial Specialist Insurance Adjuster Interior Decorator Instrument Technician Insurance Investigator International Marketing Journalist Journeyman Judge Janitor Jailer Knife Maker Laborer Lithographer Librarian Logger LPN Line Inspector Letter Carrier Lunchroom Worker Lab Technician Lumber Yardman Landscaper Lodge Owner Log Buyer Lawn Maintenance Legal Sec'y Lineman Lumberman Loan Officer Locksmith Load Support Manager Lab. Analyst Lobbiest Legislator Life Insurance Agent Labor Compliance Officer Loss Prevention Locator, Occupational Maintenance Mechanic Milkman Mechanic Mason Machinist Medical Technologist Training Manager Maintenance Worker Machine Operator Millwright Moving Man Mailroom Clerk Manager Manager Hunting Reserve Material Planner Material Engineer Municipal Gov't Machine Repair Mobile Home Serviceman Medical Office Staff Minister Mover Miner Nuclear Operator Nature Center Director Night Watchman Nuclear Medicine Technician Nuclear Power Plant Operator Nuclear Security Nurse Naval Officer National Guard Technician Nanny Neurologist Mental Health Therapist Mechanical Engineer MGM telecommunications Marble Finisher Metallurgical Technician Mayor, city Medical Student ----------------------------------[26]-------------------------------------- Material Handler Musician Machine Shop Owner Missionary Mining Engineer Production Manager Pipe Fitter Photographer Physical therapist Plant Supervisor Tire Mechanic Photo Journalist Program Manager Professor Paving Contractor Postal Worker Power Plant Supervisor Professor of Engineering Parts Manager Parts Supplier Physical Ed Teacher Pharmaceutical Scientist Publisher Production Worker Pilot Instructor Public Health Officer Product Development Professional Manager Packing Operator Production Engineer Park Director Porter Purchasing Manager Production Controller Project Manager Public Accountant Quality Assurance Paralegal Programmer Petroleum Landman Physicist Piping Designer Punch Press Operator Physicians Assistant Public Safety Professional Psychotherapist Paralegal Sec'y Psychologist Operating Engineer Physician Pastor Patent Draftsman Police Officer Pharmacist Psychiatric Counselor Printer Pediatrician Oil Field Service Pressman Office Worker Oil Company C.E.O. Office Manager Optical Technician Outdoor Instructor Oil Field Owner Production Worker Parts Inspector President Corporation Political Scientist Occupational Safety Oral Surgeon Occupational Therapy Operating Roof Technician Production Manager Packing Operator Photographer Outfitter Production Planner Optometrist Optician Orthodontist Order Filler Personnel Consultant Psychotherapist Public Health Worker Psychologist Pilot Production Development Purchasing Agent Professional Hunter Plastics Technician Park Manager Plumber Public Works Employee Painter Power Plant Operator Professional Manager Pathologist Public Accountant Programmer Analyst Petroleum Landman Physicist Quality Assurance Specialist Registered Nurse Residential Designer Rancher Real Estate Salesman Research Technician RR Contractor Restaurant Manager Rifle Stock Maker Recreation Consultant Road Engineer Restaurant Owner RCA Recording Artist Realtor Refrigeration Technician R&D Scientist Radiation Technician Restaurant Worker Refrigeration Mechanic Range Master Revenue Officer Railroad Inspector Rehab Counselor Regional Manager Roughneck Refuse Service Owner Radiologist Repertory Therapist Rate Analyst Real Estate Broker Retail Store Owner Radiographer Retired Retail Manager Student Salesman Security Officer Sound Engineer Social Service Soldier Social Worker Scientist Stock Clerk Surveyor Sewer Worker Sawmill Worker Steam Fitter Soil Conservationist Switch Man Superintendent Social Ins. Specialist Small Businessman Saw Operator Self Employed Shop Foreman Supervisor Stage Hand Sales Clerk Serviceman Secretary State Employee Systems Analyst Surgeon Shift Foreman Site Work Superintendent Systems Consultant Safety Officer Saw Mill Owner Senior Planner Sales Executive Security Manager Store Owner Service Manager Stationary Engineer Sheet Metal Worker Stock Handler Software Engineer Security Supervisor Sheetrock Taper ----------------------------------[27]-------------------------------------- School Administrator Software Technician Store Detective Special Effects Technician Stucco Worker Sawyer Sandblaster State Trooper Stationary Engineer Steel Worker Skilled Worker Service Technician Shipper State Gov't Sales Engineer Shipping Clerk Surgical Ass't Silica Packer Ski Patrol School Superintendent Sports Program Coordinator Shooting Range Manager Shoe Repairman Teacher Telephone Worker Tool Maker Teamster Technician Tavern Owner Truck Driver Tax Consultant Transportation Exec. Title Insurer Tinsmith Tool Grinder Tool & Die Maker Telecom Specialist Trainman Trouble Clerk Track Worker Transportation Manager Train Operator Train Specialist Technical Manager Telecommunication Manager Tool Engineer Technical Writer Transit Police NYC Title INsurance writer US Coast Guard Utility Worker University Instructor U.S. Forest Service U.S. Air Force U.S. Army U.S. Navy U.S. Marine Corps U.S. FBI U.S. Marshall Window Washer Veterinarian Waitress Welder Waste Water Operator Writer Vocational Counselor Vice President Corp. Video Technician Veterinary Tech Wells Fargo Guard Warehouse Foreman Water Treatment worker Veterinary Pathologist Waiter Wildlife Biologist Telecomm Analyst Trailer Electrician Telecom Field Engineer Truck Builder Technical Writer Upholsterer United Parcel Driver Unit Service Hospital UPS Loader U.S. Customs Service U.S. Border Patrol Yard Master ----------------------------------[28]-------------------------------------- New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. P.O. BOX 1023 TROY. N Y. 12181-1023 ORGANIZED 1878 May 8, 1995 Richard Ehrmann, Coordinator Operation Lexington Concord P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, NY 12767 Dear Dick: Thank you for asking me to review and comment on the results from your "Operation Lexington Concord" Project. I apologize for the delay in responding; as I indicated on the phone, personal and professional obligations prevented me from reviewing the materials before this. First, I want to compliment you on the large number of respondents (over 6800 returns, with results tabulated for 3500 to date) as well as the demographic representation of your respondents. You have a very good cross-section in terms of age, marital status, occupation, income and place of residence. Respondents are not representative of the American population in terms of gender and race, although the numbers may more closely represent gun owners. I am also pleased to see that respondents represent a variety of gun owners - sportsmen and collectors as well as those who use firearms for personal or home protection. Such a cross-section strengthens the validity of your findings. Some very strong messages are conveyed by the poll results regarding concerns about personal freedoms and our country's government. Poll tabulations indicate that 100% of civilian respondents believe that a US citizen has "an undeniable right of self defense", and 99% believe that the Bill of Rights grants individuals "the right to keep and bear arms." These numbers clearly contradict those people who would argue that the use of the word "militia" in the Second Amendment was intended for the "military" only. Furthermore, the right to keep and bear arms is a right that respondents are willing to guard, as 73% indicate that they would "actively resist" government efforts to confiscate privately owned firearms, while 25% would "passively resist" such a program. The message is even clearer from respondents who are in the military or law enforcement -- 62% would consider such a confiscation program illegal, and 59% would disobey an order to ----------------------------------[30]-------------------------------------- participate in such a program. Concern about government is expressed in other responses as well. When asked to name "the underlying cause or causes of crime" in our country, the court system and liberal government programs were named by 50% and 31% of the respondents, respectively. In addition, 51% named "government tyranny" as the biggest fear concerning life in the United States. This is consistent with findings from a Reader's Digest poll (published in January 1995) which indicate that 67% of Americans consider "big government" to be the greatest threat to our nation's future. It appears that the beliefs, values and aspirations of the framers of the American Constitution are still alive in Americans today. Fortunately, more than 200 years of democracy have not led to complacency or a false sense of security; rather, it seems that Americans remember the British tyranny that drove our founding fathers to seek independence. This is further echoed in your finding that 63% of the respondents believe that the purpose of the Second Amendment is to serve as a "check on government", while only 12% believe that it is to defend our country. The media are also of concern to respondents. 99.9% indicate that the media do not accurately portray law-abiding gun owners. This is supported by the fact that 98% report that they have not been asked their opinion on gun control by a major media source. I hope that my comments are of use to you. I have found your poll results very interesting -- and very encouraging! The message given to us by the media has failed to convey the spirit of Americans which is clearly expressed by your poll -- an enduring appreciation for personal freedoms, a watchful eye against governmental tyranny, and a willingness to actively protect our freedoms. Sincerely, Kathleen Whitmire, Ph.D. Director, Women in the Shooting Sports New York State Rifle and Pistol Association xc: B. Doughty, NYSRPA President ----------------------------------[31]-------------------------------------- ANNEX "H" Conclusions Title: OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD Purpose: ANALYSIS OF GUN OWNERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES Scope: GENERAL OVERVIEW ANALYSIS OF POLL Poll Returns as of March 1995 - 6800 Total Civilian Returns - 6175 Military and Law Enforcement Returns - 625 States Covered - 48 Occupations of Respondents - 680 Source: 'SURVEY POLL OF LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS IN THE U.S.' Conclusions: It is stated in the poll sent to respondents that the poll is a survey of legal gun owners in the U.S. and that the purpose of the poll is to seek their views - the gun owners views - toward anti-gun legislation which may be furthered at the sate and federal level. The scope of the poll returns shows a broad response from 48 states and 680 occupations of those responding. Military and law enforcement were included in the occupations depending on the branch of service and whether the law enforcement occupation reported was on the local, county, state or federal level. These accounted for only 1.5% of the occupations listed in the returns, the rest being civilian in nature. It was noted that several of the listed occupations could probably have been listed under one heading. Since there were no amplifying remarks as to occupation, raw titles were used in tabulating the number of occupations where, perhaps with amplifying remarks, several could have been consolidated. Example: Computer Specialist, Computer Engineer and Computer Consultant. Several generic titles were noted such as `Consultant' or 'City Employee' without amplification as to what the person does. Still, there is a broad spectrum of occupations listed which consolidation would not significantly lessen. Report Prepared by: Kenneth Sosnowski Investigator Bureau of Criminal Investigation New York State Police ----------------------------------[32]-------------------------------------- Title: OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD Purpose: ANALYSIS OF GUN OWNERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES Scope: ANALYSIS OF CIVILIAN POLL TABULATION Poll Returns as of March 1995 - 6800 Total Total Civilian Returns - 6175 Source: 'SURVEY POLL OF LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS IN THE U.S.' Analysis: SEE ANNEX E - CIVILIAN Conclusions: Poll results for tabulation were heavily from the white male population in the U.S., over 3/4 being in the over 36 years of age group, 38% being over 50 years of age. Economic status of the respondents showed 1/4 could be listed as poor, with the majority in the low middle income range and over 1 /4 in the middle class. (Below $25,000 per year listed as poor, $25,000 to $50.000 listed as low middle class and over $50,000 per year listed as middle class.) Almost 1/3 of the respondents listed their occupation as professional and 2/3 were listed as service and producer oriented. A little over 1/4 of the respondents were from a city and 3/4 were from the rural and suburban environs. Some strong traditional values were indicated. 75% indicated they were married with only 1/3 of the remaining respondents showing divorce. 93% indicated they believe in God and 43% indicated they were military veterans, 13.7% having been in combat. These values being listed as traditional because three values traditionally make for a strong society; family, religion and belief in the nation state. A strong belief in the right of self preservation was indicated. Almost all respondents believe in the right of self defense with about a third having been victims of crimes and a quarter indicated that they had used a firearm in self defense. In response to what they felt the underlying cause of crime in the U.S. was, the respondents most frequently indicated the failure of the Criminal Justice System, followed equally by the lack of family values and failed government social programs. (There was no indication whether this was at the local, state or federal level for the most part.) The response as to what the respondent's greatest fear is in the U.S. was only 1/3 indicating crime but half indicating government tyranny and intrusions. (Only 93% of those polled responded.) Almost all of the respondents believe that the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution gives them the right to keep and bear arms. The respondents list the purpose of that right to be mainly as a check on government to prevent tyranny and next for personal protection followed thirdly by defense of the country. 3/4 stated they would actively oppose government confiscation of firearms and 1/4 stated they would passively oppose. As gun owners, almost all responded that they were not accurately portrayed by the present administration and by the news media. They stated they were never polled for opinions by any major media source concerning gun control. Most respondents stated they do not favor further gun control and that the Clinton Administration, in advocating gun control is not fulfilling its role as defender of the Constitution. As gun users, the respondents indicated that about 3/4 were NRA members and that they use firearms for target shooting, protection, hunting and collection purposes. ----------------------------------[33]-------------------------------------- Summary: The majority of those who responded to the survey believe it is their right to keep and bear arms under the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution and that their biggest fear in the U.S. is the government and crime. They see crime as the failure of the government; failure of the criminal justice system and failure of the government's social programs. The respondents strongly believe in their right of self defense. Couple that belief with their belief that the government does not support the Constitution in terms of their 2nd Amendment rights lent 99% of the respondents to indicate they would either actively or passively resist a government move to confiscate privately held weapons. Respondents have shown a tendency to check the government when the government has failed to protect their rights of self defense by failing to curb crime and at the same time to take away the means of self defense. ----------------------------------[34]-------------------------------------- Title: OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD Purpose: ANALYSIS OF GUN OWNERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES Scope: ANALYSIS OF CIVILIAN POLL TABULATION Poll Returns as of March 1995 - 6800 Total Total Military and Law Enforcement Poll Returns - 625 Source: 'SURVEY POLL OF LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS IN THE U.S.' Analysis: SEE ANNEX E - LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MILITARY Conclusions: Poll results for tabulation were heavily from the white male population, 78% being in the over 36 age group and 33% being over 50 years of age. Economic status of the respondents showed 1/5 could be listed as poor, with the majority in the low middle income range and over 1/4 in the middle class. (Below $25,000 per year listed as poor, $25,000 to $50,000 listed as low middle class and over $50,000 per year listed as middle class.) A little over 1/4 of the respondents were from a city and just less than 3/4 were from the rural and suburban environs. Some strong traditional values were indicated. 78% indicated they were married with only 8% of the respondents showing divorce. 95% indicated they believe in God and 65% indicated they were military veterans, 27% having been in combat. These values being listed as traditional because three values traditionally make for a strong society; family, religion and belief in the nation state. A strong belief in the right of self preservation was indicated. Almost all respondents believe in the right of self defense with about half having been victims of crimes and half indicating that they had used a firearm in self defense. In response to what they felt the underlying cause of crime in the U.S. was, the respondents most frequently indicated the failure of the Criminal Justice System, followed equally by the lack of family values and failed government social programs. (There was no indication whether this was at the local, state or federal level for the most part.) The response as to what the respondent's greatest fear is in the U.S. was only about 1/3 indicating crime but half indicating government tyranny and intrusions. (Only 98% of those polled responded.) Almost all of the respondents believe that the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution gives them the right to keep and bear arms. The respondents list the purpose of that right to be mainly as a check on government to prevent tyranny and next for personal protection followed thirdly by defense of the country. 81% stated they would actively oppose government confiscation of firearms and the rest stated they would passively oppose. As members of the military and law enforcement communities 62% would consider the order for confiscation as unconstitutional and 59% would not obey such an order. As gun owners almost all responded that they were not accurately portrayed by the present administration and by the news media. They stated they were never polIed for opinions by any major media source concerning gun control. Most respondents stated they do not favor further gun control and that the Clinton Administration, in advocating gun control is not fulfilling its role as defender of the Constitution. ----------------------------------[35]-------------------------------------- As gun users. the respondents indicated that about 83% were NRA members and that they use firearms for target shooting, protection, hunting and collection purposes. Summary: The majority of military and law enforcement who responded to the survey exhibited a strong belief in their right to keep and bear arms under the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution. They feel the present government is not supportive of this and would actively and passively resist an attempt by the government to take their weapons away. This seems to support their stated belief that their right to keep and bear arms is for the purpose of checking government tyranny and for their own protection. Their greatest fear in this country is government tyranny and crime. Crime attributed to a failed criminal justice system and failed government programs as well as lack of family values. Respondents are concerned with the loss of the means to defend themselves at a time when they are faced with growing crime. a government which seems powerless to do anything about it and yet a government which has shown itself as increasingly restrictive in terms of Second Amendment rights. It would seem that there is a stated sentiment to check the government when the government aims to take away the means of self defense. ----------------------------------[36]-------------------------------------- Title: OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD Purpose: ANALYSIS OF GUN OWNERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES Scope: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT POLL TABULATIONS Poll Returns as of March 1995 - 6800 Total Total Military and Law Enforcement Poll Returns - 625 Total Civilian Returns - 6175 Source: 'SURVEY POLL OF LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS IN THE U.S.' Analysis: SEE ANNEX E - LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MILITARY SEE ANNEX E - CIVILIAN Conclusions: Poll results for tabulation showed age, sex and race as almost the same. Civilian female respondents were twice as many as the military and law enforcement (6.9%). The respondents were not well represented in the female and minority categories. Both groups compared almost equally with income, area of residence, marriage and belief in God. The civilian side showed less respondents were veterans and less were in combat roles. Civilian and military and law enforcement compared favorably in terms of their response to belief in the Constitution, government and their fears in the U.S. Both groups felt that their right to keep and bear arms, guaranteed by the Constitution, is not supported by the government and they believe that this right is to be used, in the main, to act as a check on the government. Their greatest fear concerning life in the U.S. is government tyranny, the same tyranny they feel they have the right to protect against. Consequently, almost all respondents stated they would either actively or passively oppose a government attempt at taking away their weapons. In short, if government continues in its inability to correct a growing crime problem by blaming the gun and gun owner for the problem, the problem will continue despite a media committed to showing the contrary. If the problem continues due to government inability to solve the underlying problems of crime, the government may feel confiscation of private firearms is in order. With confiscation the possibility of other Wacos exist. ----------------------------------[37]-------------------------------------- Title: OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD Purpose: ANALYSIS OF GUN OWNERSHIP IN THE United STATES Scope: CHECK OF OTHER SOURCES OF GUN CONTROL BOTH IN THE U.S. AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES Source: VARIOUS - INFORMATION FROM OTHER SOURCES (COMPILATION) - Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia dated March 1994 (various articles) Conclusions: Assault weapons are not the weapons of choice in crimes committed with firearms. Areas with the most restrictive gun ownership in the U.S. have the highest crime rates. They are also the areas that are most urban and have a high percentage of minorities. Areas of permissive gun ownership have the lowest crime rates. They are also areas which are more rural and have a low percentage of minorities. The use of firearms in self defense saves more lives then it kills or injures. If you how to use a gun there is small chance that you will be injured protecting yourself with it. In world wide terms of gun control it is the breakdown of the family values and community responsibility which is most destructive in human lives, not the amount of gun control as evidenced by gun control in Japan, Sweden and Britain. A weapon in the home does not mean it will be subject to use later in a crime. A very small percentage of weapons in the home are used later in crimes. ----------------------------------[38]-------------------------------------- A National Survey and Analysis of the Attitudes of Law-Abiding Gun-Owners, By Law-Abiding Gun-Owners * The Operation Lexington-Concord Study, 1994-1995 * AN OVERVIEW Dr. PAUL GALLANT Dr. JOANNE D. EISEN ABSTRACT A national survey was utilized in an attempt to assess prevailing attitudes among firearm owners in America. Responses were received from 3500 respondents dispersed throughout 48 states. The findings of this survey hold major implications, both with regard to "gun-control" policies, past and present, and the future direction of America. BACKGROUND Unquestionably, one of the most vilified groups in America today is the "gun-lobby". Most of those guilty of gun-owner "bashing" attempt to stereotype gun-owners as "beer-drinking, ignorant, red-necked slobs", and the like. A classic example can be found in the words of New York State's ex-Gov. Cuomo, in referring to one segment of American gun-owners as ".....people who lie to their wives about where they have been, drink beer, and don't vote". It is estimated that at least half of all American households in this country today contain firearms, of one sort or another; it therefore quickly becomes apparent that such characterizations are being applied, not to some "lunatic fringe", but to mainstream America, itself. Not only are such characterizations inaccurate, they are dangerous, as well, because they have the very real potential to mislead policy-makers, both within and without government, down a socially destructive path. Until now, there has existed little in the way of controlled data describing the psychology of that subset of Americans who own firearms. "Operation Lexington-Concord" is a grassroots effort to accurately and objectively poll the views of America's gun-owners, divorced of the blatant bias contaminating most other polls of this nature. Surveys in Operation Lexington-Concord were returned from virtually all states, from predominantly married Americans over the age of 18, engaged in over 685 different occupations spanning the entire gamut of imaginable employment - from blue-collar workers, to highly-skilled professionals. Of the respondents, 14.3% were active military or law-enforcement personnel; there was, in general, congruity of answers to all survey questions between the two sub-groups of respondents. And, while the answers to the actual survey questions posed are certainly of great interest, of far more profound importance is the single most prevalent underlying theme emerging from the answers and comments of the vast majority of respondents - namely, a fundamental, all-pervasive, deep-rooted mistrust of contemporary American government. In fact, as we rapidly approach the 21st Century, 52.1% of all survey respondents cited "government" as their greatest fear in life in America today. That "fear of government" was cited by such a high percentage of respondents is all the more noteworthy, for the actual survey question was worded in a completely open-ended manner, with no suggestion, whatsoever, of this as a possible choice! SUBJECTS AND METHODS As described elsewhere in this report, surveys were disseminated via reprinting within various organizational firearm publications, including, but not limited to, journals of the various State Rifle Associations, this forming the largest source of respondents. A lesser number of respondents came from survey distribution within various veterans and other groups. Additionally, a request was noted within the survey form itself "to make a few copies of this form and forward them on to your friends". Respondents were then asked to mail the completed questionnaires back to Operation Lexington-Concord. There was no requirement for respondents to include their names, or any other information which might otherwise identify them, in the anticipation of a greater degree of honesty in answers to the survey's questions. ----------------------------------[39]-------------------------------------- DISCUSSION As it has to most criminologists, it has become increasingly clear to more and more Americans that "gun-control" utterly fails as a means towards "crime control"; on the other hand, however, there is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate that gun-control" has not at all failed as a means of population pacification by criminal governments. The fact of the matter is that abundant evidence exists to demonstrate that restrictive firearm laws serve to create a climate exactly opposite to that which "gun-control" proponents claim these laws will bring about. When study methods and samples adhere to scientifically rigorous standards, and are subject to proper, legitimate peer review, it is incontrovertibly demonstrated that when ready access to firearms by honest citizens is impeded or prevented, violent crime flourishes; the converse is true, as well - violent crime is invariably lower when law-abiding citizens have ready access to firearms. The Florida experience is a perfect example, and the Florida law has served as a model of emulation by other states wishing to revise their own concealed-carry statutes, or to implement such provisions for the first time. In 1987, a revision of Florida law required a concealed-carry permit be issued to any resident being at least 21 years of age, having no criminal record or history of mental illness, not a substance abuser, and having completed a firearms safety course offered by the National Rifle Association or other competent instructor. Firearm-prohibitionists coined terms like "Florida, the Gunshine State", or "Dodge City East", to warn of the bloodbath to come. Instead, during the period of 1986-1991, FBI statistics show that the homicide rate in Florida dropped by over 20%, while the overall U.S. homicide rate increased 14%. And, during the period of 1987-1994, only 0.25% of Florida applicants were denied licenses for failure to satisfy licensure requirements. On March 15, 1995, Florida's Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement stated that "From a law enforcement perspective, the licensing process has not resulted in problems in the community from people arming themselves with concealed weapons... Furthermore, since the program's inception on October 1, 1987, through January 31, 1995, a total of 266,710 permits have been issued. During that same time period, 470 permits have been revoked. Of that number, 242 revocations were for crimes committed by the licensee after issuance, only 19 [0.007%] of which involved the use of a firearm." Yet, whenever honest firearm owners have attempted to pin down the anti-self-defense lobby as to exactly where or how "gun-control" has reduced violent crime, such questions are invariably met with scorn or derision - and never with an honest answer to their question. Such a response is, of course, entirely understandable, since the fact of the matter is that there is no legitimately certifiable instance to support the premise of "gun-control" as a means toward crime-control, in the first place! According to the National Center for Policy Analysis, in 1990 a convicted felon could expect to serve the following prison time: 1.8 years for murder, 60 days for rape, 23 days for robbery, 6.7 days for arson, and 6.4 days for aggravated assault. And, according to a U.S. Justice Department survey in 17 states, of those felony offenders placed on probation in 1986, 43% were re-arrested on other felony charges within 3 years of their release! It is a further documented fact that most violent crime in this country is committed by a small core of repeat offenders. When all evidence points to an inverse relationship between "gun-control" and crime, it ought not be surprising that increasingly, the gun-owning [and a good deal of the non-gun-owning] population of America has finally awakened, and come to the realization that official government "hype" is the sole, and transparent, justification for passage of these laws. Sheer logic, alone, would dictate that "gun-control" laws can only hope to control otherwise law-abiding citizens, not criminals, who, by definition, do not obey laws in the first place. It ought also be clear, by now, to anyone possessing a measure of intellectual honesty, that it is the abject failure and utter disintegration of our revolving-door so-called "criminal justice" system which is the root cause of the problem of escalating violent crime in this country - not guns, and not honest gun-owning citizens! Yet, in effect, a major segment of law-abiding Americans are nevertheless being punished, and held responsible, for the actions of a far smaller cadre of violent criminals, a course of action totally anathema to what America's Founding Fathers envisioned in the Land of the Free. The high degree of unanimity found among survey respondents is a remarkable finding. The level of agreement of respondents in most surveys does not usually even closely approach the general level ----------------------------------[40]-------------------------------------- obtained in the Lexington-Concord Study. And, while it might be tempting to cast suspicion on the study's findings simply because of this unusual [and unexpected!] outcome, legitimate grounds for any such dismissal are lacking nonetheless. The answer to this concordance may well lie in the fact that firearm-owners are representative of main-stream America, and despite various and obvious differences as a group, they nevertheless share a common, conservative value base. One other factor responsible for the high degree of unanimity among survey respondents may well be, indirectly, the commonality of firearm ownership. All serious shooters, regardless of whether their primary interest lies in hunting, in target shooting, in practical competition, or in self-defense, share one common goal - that of accurate shot placement - that the final resting place of a projectile is exactly where it is intended. In pursuit of this goal, shooters draw, consciously or subconsciously, upon the science of ballistics, a science grounded in the laws of physics, and one therefore with its own exacting terminology. In ballistics, words mean things, no less than they do in any of the other physical sciences, and communication between firearm owners therefore tends to be precise, as well. For the most part, politicians were, firstly, lawyers. And, one of the hallmarks common to excellence in both the professions of law, and of journalism, is the accurate attention to detail. Yet, nowadays, when it comes to firearms and ballistics, we find politicians and so-called journalists curiously using language that can, at best, be called ignorant. On further reflection, therefore, firearm owners, especially, would appear to have good reason to question whether a significant number of America's politicians, and their willing accomplices in the media, have not deliberately set out to blur the distinction between the criminal use of firearms, and their lawful, responsible use. When "semi-automatic" firearms are commonly referred to as "machine guns", yet both those who use such terms for their own deceitful ends, as well as the general gun-owning population, know they are not, there can be little doubt that the anti-self-defense lobby has embarked upon a policy of deliberate mis-information, cunningly employing terminology calculated to evoke negative and fearful visual images in Americans who themselves have little or no practical familiarity with firearms. In such a context, therefore, "sloppiness" of terminology may perhaps be more correctly viewed as part of an overall attempt to further facilitate the process of "criminalizing" those honest Americans who do choose to own firearms. In short, an ever-increasing number of honest Americans in this country realize they're being vilified and punished as criminals when they know, plain well, that they're not guilty of any criminal conduct whatsoever. Increased suspicion, and mistrust of the motives of those who attempt to accomplish what can only be interpreted as the disarmament of the law-abiding segment of this country, is therefore a wholly natural, and expected, consequence. With both Waco and the Randy Weaver case still smoldering in the minds and hearts of many "ordinary" Americans, it should come as no surprise, then, that our government is increasingly viewed as an enemy of the People, and not as a benevolent partner to help enrich the lives of Americans and make them safer. "A government that does not trust its citizens to keep and bear arms is itself unworthy of trust", is not just the philosophical musing of an American patriot some 200 years ago - it is a sentiment being articulated by a growing segment of contemporary America! From the dawn of history to the dawn of the 21st Century, the story of mankind cannot be told without a description of the evolution and use of weapons - arms have meant the difference between life and death, slavery and freedom. Despite the rantings of the anti-self-defense lobby in this country today, sheer logic alone would dictate that there are no such things as "good guns" and bad guns" - only good people and bad people! This country's Founding Fathers knew full-well this fact of life, and they inscribed the protection of firearm ownership for all honest Americans in the U.S. Constitution - the Second Amendment. That this country's Founding Fathers made the Right to Keep and Bear Arms an integral part of the Bill of Rights was therefore no accident, for it was the only clause that could give teeth to all the rest in that precious document! Yet, even the Founding Fathers could not have predicted the efficiency with which genocide has been committed during the 20th Century! That it can, indeed, happen right here in America was brought home to many who refused to acknowledge such a possibility, in the atrocity of Waco, and in the Randy Weaver case! It is of no small significance that 65.1% of Operation Lexington-Concord survey respondents believed that the purpose of the 2nd Amendment was to serve as a "check" on government! ----------------------------------[41]-------------------------------------- CONCLUSIONS Operation Lexington-Concord is nothing less than a scathing indictment of the failure of our own present-day government to fulfill the mandate our Founding Fathers envisioned - a government of the People, by the People, and for the People! The results of Operation Lexington-Concord are of far more value than those of just another "survey" - they are a clear and unmistakable warning to America, for 74.1% of all respondents stated that they would "actively resist" attempts of their government to confiscate firearms. These survey respondents are not anarchists, nor terrorists, nor lunatics, nor trouble-makers - they are God-fearing, hard-working ordinary Americans; in short, they are the very people who make this country "work"! And through Operation Lexington-Concord, they have made it quite clear that they are willing to resort to the unthinkable to preserve that America which earlier Patriots paid for, in blood, if push comes to shove! That finding alone suggests a problem of major proportions. Perfectly law-abiding gun-owners have seen registration lead to outright confiscation in New York City, after they were promised this would never happen. All things considered, it would appear that this increasing mistrust of their own government, and skepticism of its motives, is fully warranted. Further, it is something which must be reckoned with, and without delay, if the grand experiment we call America is to endure even into the year 2001, for this very same deep-rooted mistrust of government was precisely the reason why a group of "ordinary" Americans fought for their independence some 200 years ago! It was 1775 when the then-governor of Massachusetts, fed up with the "proliferation" of military-style firearms, and, intolerant of civilian ownership of them as threats to his power, declared the "assault weapons" of the 1770's contraband. It was civilians, not soldiers, who fought in the first American Revolution; the United States of America was that result. And it was citizens who fired on their own soldiers in a dispute over the right to own firearms - a right soon guaranteed in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Whether the immortal words of George Santayana - "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - have fallen on deaf ears in contemporary America yet remains to be seen. -------- SUGGESTED READING: [1] Halbrook, Stephen P.; That Every Man Be Armed - The Evolution of a Constitutional Right; The Independent Institute, Oakland CA, 1984 [2] Kates, Jr., Donald B.; "Guns, Murder, & The Constitution: A Realistic Assessment of Gun Control"; Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy, 1990 [3] Kleck, Gary and Gertz, Marc; "National Self-Defense Survey"; Florida State University, 1993 [4] Kleck, Gary; "Crime Control through the Private Use of Armed Force"; Social Problems 35, #1, Feb 1988 [5] Kleck, Gary; Point Blank: Guns & Violence in America; Aldine de Gruyter Press, 1993 [6] Kopel, David B.; The Samurai, The Mountie, and the Cowboy; Prometheus Books, Buffalo, NY, 1993 [7] LaPierre, Wayne; Guns, Crime, and Freedom; Regnery Publishing, Inc., Washington DC, 1994 [8] Levinson, S.; "The Embarrassing 2nd Amendment"; The Yale Law Journal, December 1989; 637-59. [9] Mack, Richard I., and Walden, Timothy R.; From My Cold Dead Fingers - Why America Needs Guns; Rawhide Western Publishing, Safford, AZ, 1994 [10] Reynolds, Morgan O. and Caruth, III, W.W.; "Myths About Gun Control"; National Center for Policy Analysis, 1992 [11] Simkin, J., Zelman, A., Rice, A.; Lethal Laws; JPFO Press, Inc., Milwaukee, 1994 [12] Suter, M.D., Edgar; "Assault-Weapons" Revisited - An Analysis of the AMA Report; Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia, May 1994 [13] Suter, M.D., Edgar; "Guns in the Medical Literature - A Failure of Peer Review"; Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia, March 1994 [14] Wright, James D. and Rossi, Peter H.; Armed & Considered Dangerous: A Survey of Felons & Their Firearms; Aldine de Gruyter Press, 1986 -------- Dr. Paul Gallant is engaged in the private practice of Family Optometry, Wesley Hills, NY. Dr. Joanne D. Eisen is engaged in the private practice of Family Dentistry, Old Bethpage, NY. Authors may be contacted c/o: LAGR P.O. Box 354 Thiells, NY 10984-0354 ----------------------------------[42]-------------------------------------- Bill Chellis Vice-President, SUNY Student Assembly President, Eagle Forum Collegians of the State University New York at Oneonta As a student, majoring in political science at the State University of New York at Oneonta, I am regularly bombarded with the "academic" version of American political thought. I have listened to numerous professors and students refer to the United States Constitution as having outlived its usefulness. It seems that many of the Universities leading "intellectuals" continually promote a civic state based on pseudo-moral judgments rather than enumerated powers and inalienable rights. The first amendment is violently defended by the university. Academic freedom and freedom of speech are used to defend the desecration of our most sacred national symbols. On the other hand, our second amendment right to keep and bear arms is generally interpreted so conservatively as to circumvent its purpose. Liberal columnist and political advocate, Michael Kingsly, once admitted that "If liberals interpreted the second amendment the same way they interpret the first, everyone would be forced to carry a gun." Why is there such inconsistency regarding the interpretation of our Bill of Rights? I have become convinced that the problem lies within our educational system. Too few citizens realize the uniqueness of our constitutional system. We take for granted the importance and the intricacy of federalism. Many college aged students could not even give a proper definition of federalism. When asked what kind of political system the United States enjoys, many Americans will claim we live in a democracy. This is partly true, but more accurately we live in a constitutional republic. Ours is a system of governance whose power is checked by fundamental and inalienable rights. The question must be asked, where do these inalienable rights come from? Unfortunately. many people believe these rights were granted to us by our founders. It would seem that many Americans have never read the Declaration of Independence. If they read it they would understand the basis for our fundamental rights, which states that all men are "endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights." Although the right to bear arms may not be endowed to us by our creator, it is. as Sir William Blackstone put it, "an auxiliary right necessary to conserve the purity of other fundamental rights." When I was first briefed on the results of the Operation Lexington Concord national survey I was impressed by the spirit of patriotism displayed by the respondents. This, of course, was not surprising because the survey was directed toward people of a certain character. One would have been able to easily guess that a survey of legal firearms owners in the U.S. would generate pro-gun, politically conservative results. What was surprising was that a grass roots campaign, based in Obernburg. N.Y. and founded by local citizens, could have generated such an overwhelming response. The survey results draw a clear picture of the American firearm owner. By modern terminology he (I use the term as gender neutral) is politically to the right of the spectrum. God fearing (93.4% civilian, 95% military), and understanding of the responsibilities and duties associated with living in a free society. He comes from a traditional family structure. He, like many Americans, has been the victim of crime (at a citizen rate of 37.9%) yet fears government intrusion and tyranny more than any other issue concerning American society. He is interested in the affairs of the state, but unhappy with the direction of the government. He is indeed the philosophical heir of the Sons of Liberty. The immortal words and deeds of our Revolutionary forefathers are etched in his being. The American Firearm owner is not the character portrayed by the media. He is not primarily agrarian or even rural. He is not uneducated, poor, or disenfranchised. He is ideologically in tune with those who challenged tyranny by facing the most elite army in the world during our Revolutionary War. His ancestors joined Ethan Allen in storming Fort Ticonderoga and securing the cannons necessary to defeat the British at the battle of Saratoga. They laid down their lives on numerous battlefields during the Civil War. Whether they were wearing a blue or gray uniform matters little, the point is they were defending the principle of federalism and the spirit of our Constitution. They stood ready, for over two hundred years to defend their nation from its enemies, both foreign and domestic. To many the most surprising result of the Operation Lexington Concord poll was that only 1.4% (citizens) claimed they would comply with the federal or state government if it undertook a program to confiscate privately owned firearms. In comparison, 25% claimed they would passively resist (hiding guns, etc.). while 73% of the citizens and 81% of law and military respondents claimed they would actively resist. Many of the professors I have talked with have found these percentages outrageous and incompatible with our democratic system. Are these gun owners, who believe they have a constitu- ----------------------------------[43]-------------------------------------- tional right to carry firearms and defend liberty, paranoid "wackos?" I believe that question could best be answered by the father of our constitution, James Madison. It was in Federalist Paper #46 that Madison wrote his defense for a standing army. "...Let a regular army, fully equal to the resources of the country, be formed; and let it be entirely at the devotion of the federal government: still it would not be going too far to say that the State governments with the people at their side would be able to repel the danger. The highest number to which, according to the best computation, a standing army can be carried in any country does not exceed one hundredth part of the whole number of souls; or one twenty-fifth part of the number able to bear arms..To these would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen among themselves, fighting for their common liberties and confidence. It may well be doubted whether a militia thus circumstanced could ever be conquered by such a proportion of regular troops...Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are afraid to trust the people with arms..." Interestingly enough, the antagonist forces of the constitutional debate, the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, both agreed on the importance of the militia-of-the-whole. Observers must ask themselves where justification for gun control and the current anti-militia sentiment came from. It surely was not from our founders who saw the right to bear arms as fundamental to a free society. Thomas Jefferson one said that "...the tree of liberty must be replenished by the blood of tyrants, and patriots." The results of Operation Lexington Concord indicate that there is a cross section of Americans who feel that the corrupting influence of government has created an overwhelming federal leviathan. Can these results be ignored? The congressional elections of 1994 seem to suggest that Lexington-Concord's results were largely on target. It was the participants of this survey who replenished the "tree of liberty" by engaging the enemy inside the voting booth. The new Republican majority in the House and Senate would be well advised to stick to their platform of repealing bureaucracy and getting the government out of the lives of free men. When they consider potential programs for the people of this nation, they should keep in mind the real message from the American people last November DON'T TREAD ON ME! ----------------------------------[44]-------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 ANNEX "I" INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE NOTE: The following estimate was prepared by the staff of Operation Lexington Concord by applying statistical data obtained from the tabulation of survey poll returns numbering 6,800 representing over 685 occupational groups throughout 48 different states. REPORT PREPARED BY: RICHARD A. EHRMANN MAJOR, ARMOR USAR (Retired) GRADUATE U.S. ARMY COMMAND & GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE VIETNAM VETERAN THIRTY YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: ACTIVE DUTY NATIONAL GUARD & RESERVE COMMAND AND STAFF POSITIONS IN BOTH ARMOR AND ENGINEER UNITS. LIFE MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES. ----------------------------------[45]-------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 ANNEX "I" INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE SITUATION: (SCENARIO) BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT HIGH RATE OF CRIME AND SOME TERRORIST ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES SOME POLITICAL ACTIVIST GROUPS AND MANY CONGRESSMAN ARE ADVOCATING A MORE RESTRICTIVE GUN CONTROL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE CONFISCATION OF PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS. MISSION: DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL FOR CIVIL UNREST WITHIN THE UNITED STATES IF A FEDERAL PROGRAM OF FIREARMS CONFISCATION WAS IMPLEMENTED. COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS: USE POLL RETURNS FROM OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD ALONG WITH OTHER SOURCE MATERIAL TO DETERMINE THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF U.S. CITIZENS THAT WOULD RESIST SUCH A PROGRAM. THIS ESTIMATE WILL BE INCLUDED IN A REPORT TO CONGRESS NO LATER THAN 30 JUNE 95. ----------------------------------[46]-------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 BASELINE INFORMATION FOR INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE: NOTE: THE PRIMARY SOURCES OF THIS INFORMATION ARE: 1. National Rifle Association firearms fact card 1995. 2. United States Bureau of Justice statistics source book 1993. 3. Survey poll returns from Operation Lexington Concord. ESTIMATE OF NUMBER OF FIREARMS OWNERS IN THE UNITED STATES: 1. LOW BASELINE ESTIMATE: A. Approximate NRA Member: 3,500,000 B. Percentage reporting not NRA 826,000 (23.6% estimated): Low baseline: 4,326,000 2. HIGH BASELINE ESTIMATE: A. NRA estimate of gun owners in U.S.: 65,000,000 B. FBI source book estimate (40% of population): 96.000,000 Total: 161,000,000 High Baseline (Ave. of "A" + "B"): 80,500,000 ESTIMATE OF TOTAL NUMBER OF U.S. CITIZENS THAT HAVE ACCESS TO FIREARMS: NOTE: Apply poll return number percent married: 75.0% Low Baseline: 4,326,000 x 75% = 3,244,000 = 7,570,000 High Baseline: 80,500,000 x 75%=60,375,000 = 140,875,000 ----------------------------------[47]-------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE 1. BASELINE DATA FROM OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD 2. LOW BASELINE ESTIMATE: A. Low baseline estimate of gun owners: 4,326,000 B. Number of respondents stating that 3,157,980 they would actively resist: C. Potential of respondents that stated they would actively resist: Category of Respondent Percent Value Raw Total Net Value Combat Veterans 13.7% 100 432,643 432,643 Non-combat Veterans 43.2% 75 1,264,247 1,023,185 Non-Veterans 43.1 % 50 1,361,089 680,544 Total estimated number that would initially resist: 2,136,372 3. HIGH BASELINE ESTIMATES: NRA Estimate of gun owners: 65,000,000 FBI Estimate (40% of Population): 96,000,000 Average Estimate: 80,500,000 Apply poll survey response to question #22 = 73% 58,765,000 Estimated number that may resist at some period of time (apply value of 50%): 29,382,500 NOTE: At the time of the war for independence, approximately 1% of the entire colonial population initially took up arms against the British crown. By the time the war ended, approximately two thirds of the population were in rebellion or actively supported it. ----------------------------------[48]-------------------------------------- HIGH BASELINE ESTIMATE: APPLYING RAW POLL RESULTS TO THE HIGH BASELINE ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF FIREARMS OWNERS IN THE UNITED STATES: AVERAGE OF NRA & FBI ESTIMATE = 80,500,000 % OF POLL QUESTION OR CATEGORY RESPONDENTS RAW TOTAL 1.Believe in God?: 93.4 75,187,000 2.Occupational Group?: Professional: 30.7 24,715,500 Producer: 43.2 34,776,000 Service: 26.0 20,930,000 3.Have you been a crime victim?: 37.9 90,509,500 4.Used a firearm for self defense?: 19.1 15,375,500 5.Have firearms for self protection?: 89.0 71,645,000 6.Believe that the cause of crime is: Failed Justice System: 49.2 59,606,000 Failed Gov't Programs: 31.0 24,955,000 7.Greatest fear of life in the U.S.?: Government Tyranny: 51.4 41,377,000 8.Believe that 2nd Amendment grants individuals the right of gun ownership? 98.9 79,614,500 9.Would resist Government confiscation of firearms: 98.6 79,373,000 ----------------------------------[49]-------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD SPECIAL STAFF Dr. Kathleen Whitmire: Professor of Human Behavior, St. Rose College, Albany, N.Y. Director of Women in Shooting Sports, N.Y. Rife & Pistol Association. Dr. Joanne Eisen, DDS: Private Practice, Nassau County, N.Y. President of Dentists for Truth in Scientific Media Dr. Paul Gallant, OD: Private Practice, Rockland County, N.Y. Chairman of Law Abiding Gun Owners, Rockland County. Kenneth Sosnowski: MS, American History Investigator, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, New York State Police, LTCD., USN Reserve Bill Chellis: Student, Political Science, State University of New York at Oneonta. Vice President, SUNY Student Assembly Richard Coombe: MS, American History Former NY State Assemblyman Chairman, NY City Watershed Agricultural Committee. ----------------------------------[50]-------------------------------------- ANNEX " J" Project Staff Operation Lexington Concord P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y 12767 (914) 482-3426 Name Occupation Prior Military Or Civilian Service Richard Ehrmann Conservation Technician U.S. Army, Vietnam Clifford Horton Retired Printer U.S. Army, Korea Michael Schwartz Contractor U.S. Army Alfred Steppich Machinist U.S. Marine Corps Harold Roeder Real Estate Appraiser U.S. Marine Corps Earl Kinney Contractor U.S. Marine Corps,Vietnam Paul Brustman Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Volunteer Fireman Ray Herbert Heavy Equipment Operator U.S. Navy Eugene Levich History Teacher/PHD U.S. Army Robert Meyer Woodland Technician Chief, Volunteer Fire Co. William Meyer Stock Clerk Volunteer Fireman Douglas Peters Carpenter U.S. Army Richard Mall Engineering Technician U.S. Army Ted Kutschera Pilot, Aerial Spray Service U.S. Army John Baden Airport Services Manager U.S. Air Force William Krum Sawmill Operator U.S. Army Peter Cummings Road Supervisor Volunteer Fireman ----------------------------------[51]-------------------------------------- OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD P.O. Box 52 Obernburg, N.Y.12767 (914) 482-3426 ANNEX "K" REFERENCE SOURCES UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SOURCE BOOK 1992 JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA, MARCH 1994 BOOK - "GUNS, CRIME AND FREEDOM" by Wayne La Pierre BOOK - "A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION" by John R. Alden BOOK - '"THAT EVERY MAN BE ARMED" by Stephen P. Halbrook THE FEDERALIST PAPERS: Hamilton, Jay and Madison OPERATION LEXINGTON CONCORD - A National Survey Poll of Firearms Owners: Total Number of Respondents: 6,820 Number of States Reporting: 48 Gun Owner Occupations: 685 FROM NRA "FIREARMS FACT CARD 1995": Estimated Gun Owners in the U.S.A.: 65 Million Estimated Number of Guns in the U.S.A: 200 Million Over 99.8% of all Firearms in the United States will NOT be used in Criminal Activity in any given Year!!!! Number of Protective Uses of Firearms Per Year: 2.1 Million ----------------------------------[52]--------------------------------------