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Hart Takes Aim At Weapons

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Parent Issue
Day
19
Month
October
Year
1975
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WASHINGTON - Sen. Philip A. Hart D-Mich., has set two major goals for his final 15 months in Congress, both oí which he admits aren't likely to be achieved. The senator's impossible dreams are to wind down the global arms buildup and disarm American citizens. The backdrop-to these congressional battles will be Hart's personal struggle against cancer. Retiring next year after 18 years in the Senate, Hart has long been an anti-trust activist, pushing to break up the monopolistic practices of America's giant Corporation. But during an interview, he did not list anti-trust legislation among his priorities. Others will take up this fight, he said. "Things are moving to créate more interest in it." Hart will devote his attention to legislation aimed at saving human lives. "Somehow or another, we have to figure a way out of this business of building up weapons all around the world," he said. Domestically, he said "we must convince the people that the good people would be better off without pistols." The matter of drawing the line on weapons worldwide is a complicated one. "If a congressman comes from a district with a big defense plant, that I cates it," said Hart. "If people think the I communists are going to blow us up. I that complicates it. Or if people think I nations will buy their weapons elsewhere I if we don't sell to them, that complicates I it. "But if these factors opérate in all I countries, then there's no end. Sooner or I later, that Ugandan (President Idi Amin I Dada) will have the H-Bomb." Asked what could be dónelo stop the arms race, Hart replied: "One Congress, one Senate, could I solve to have the United States I I ally stop underground testing. Certainly, I most humans would be like most I cans. If you could save money and at the I I same time lessen the likelihood of I caust, they would be for it." I _ Hart said non-nuclear weapons sales I I "probably aren't as menacing" but they [' provide the means of starting wars that could lead to a nuclear conflagration. 'What you're really talking about is preparing countries to fight each other. A Congress could prohibit the export of weapons, or cut back this military aid." There are consütuencies that become "outraged when you saw this, beginning i with the guy working on a machine that builds a tank destróyer, to the guy who reasons that if we don't arm them the I Russians will," Hart said. The fight to control handguns is just as difiicult. Hart introduced legislation to I ban the civilian possession of handguns I several years ago. The result was only eight votes in the Senate. He plans to reintroduce the legislation "but I'm not sure it will get any more votes." Hart said he was distressed that the two recent attempts on the life of President Ford by women armed wilh handguns provoked no sentiment in Congress to ban these weapons. The reluctance of Congress to act cannot be attributed alone to the "power of the National Rifle Association lobby, although the political retaliation they threaten is real enough in some states," he said. Too many people, including congressmen, believe they would be "sitting iducks" if they turned ín their handguns, Hart said, "because "the bad man" wouldn't turn in his weapon. "Every study indicates that about 8 out of 10 handgun killings is not a bad man shooting down the good man," the Senator said. "It's the momentarily outraged good man who, in passion, uses it instead of his fist, or the mistaken good man who thinks the man at the back uour is iryinguo tod nun wnen in f act] it's his neighbor, or a home accident." Hart said 80 per cent of handgun I ings would not have occurred "if the I good people had been required to give up I their guns. A good man is safer if he I doesn't have a handgun in his bureau." Of the remaining 20 per cent of I gun killings, "where the bad guy is, I ing the killing, they usually get the gun I from the good guys. I would love to think I that before I get out of here we begin I l drying up the reservoir from where the I I bad guy gets the gun." While he's not optimistic that I I guns will be banned before he leaves I I fice, Hart said "it's one of those things I B I'm convinced we will do. Finally, at I f last, there will be no major industrial I' nation that Iets any Torn, Dick or Harry go out and buy a pistol." I In addition to fighting for ment at home and abroad, Hart said he would particípate in next year's presidential election "if my health permits it." He still favors Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., but does not believe he will be a candidate. "I will support the nominee of the party r unless it's Gov. Wallace," Hart added. While Hart said he did not consider President Ford a "great leader," he did say that the democratie nominee - even if it were Kennedy - would have a formidable task in winning the general election. ■

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