(December 2001) Not all groups responded to the 9-11 terrorist attacks with the same regard for human rights. In Takoma Park, for example, anti-freedom forces drove through a handgun ban. The 9-11 attack and the official launch of this legislation were separated by a matter of hours. Debate, such as it was, went largely unnoticed by a public distracted by disaster recovery efforts. New restrictions, and there are many, start January. One provision totally bans guns from places of 'public assembly.' Residents may keep a gun - but never unlock it inside the city. And so it goes.

Driven by ignorance and hate, Takoma Park's gun-banning Taliban will empower police to enforce the prejudices of a few against all its residents… and against unfortunate non-residents who cross its borders.