Seventy-two killed resisting gun confiscation in Boston
National Guard units seeking to confiscate a cache of recently banned
assault weapons were ambushed by elements of a para-military extremist
faction. Military and law enforcement sources estimate that 72 were killed
and more than 200 injured before government forces were compelled to
withdraw.
Speaking after the clash, Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage declared
that the extremist faction, which was made up of local citizens, has
links to the radical right-wing tax protest movement. Gage blamed the
extremists for recent incidents of vandalism directed against internal
revenue offices. The governor, who described the group's organizers as
"criminals,” issued an executive order authorizing the summary arrest of
any individual who has interfered with the government's efforts to secure
law and order. The military raid on the extremist arsenal followed
widespread refusal by the local citizenry to turn over recently outlawed
assault weapons.
Gage issued a ban on military-style assault weapons and ammunition
earlier in the week. This decision followed a meeting in early this month
between government and military leaders at which the governor authorized
the forcible confiscation of illegal arms.
One government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out
that "none of these people would have been killed had the extremists
obeyed the law and turned over their weapons voluntarily." Government
troops initially succeeded in confiscating a large supply of outlawed
weapons and ammunition.
However, troops attempting to seize arms and ammunition in Lexington met
with resistance from heavily armed extremists who had been tipped off
regarding the government's plans. During a tense standoff in Lexington’s
town park, National Guard Colonel Francis Smith, commander of the
government operation, ordered the armed group to surrender and return to
their homes. The impasse was broken by a single shot, which was reportedly
fired by one of the right-wing extremists. Eight civilians were killed in
the ensuing exchange.
Ironically, the local citizenry blamed government forces rather than the
radical extremists for the civilian deaths. Before order could be
restored, armed citizens from surrounding areas had descended upon the
guard units. Colonel Smith, finding his forces over matched by the armed
mob, ordered a retreat.
Governor Gage has called upon citizens to support the state/national
joint task force in its effort to restore law and order. The governor also
demanded the surrender of those responsible for planning and leading the
attack against the government troops. Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John
Hancock, who have been identified as "ringleaders" of the extremist
faction, remain at large.
And this, people, is how the American Revolution began on April 20, 1775.
Have at it.
National Guard units seeking to confiscate a cache of recently banned
assault weapons were ambushed by elements of a para-military extremist
faction. Military and law enforcement sources estimate that 72 were killed
and more than 200 injured before government forces were compelled to
withdraw.
Speaking after the clash, Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage declared
that the extremist faction, which was made up of local citizens, has
links to the radical right-wing tax protest movement. Gage blamed the
extremists for recent incidents of vandalism directed against internal
revenue offices. The governor, who described the group's organizers as
"criminals,” issued an executive order authorizing the summary arrest of
any individual who has interfered with the government's efforts to secure
law and order. The military raid on the extremist arsenal followed
widespread refusal by the local citizenry to turn over recently outlawed
assault weapons.
Gage issued a ban on military-style assault weapons and ammunition
earlier in the week. This decision followed a meeting in early this month
between government and military leaders at which the governor authorized
the forcible confiscation of illegal arms.
One government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out
that "none of these people would have been killed had the extremists
obeyed the law and turned over their weapons voluntarily." Government
troops initially succeeded in confiscating a large supply of outlawed
weapons and ammunition.
However, troops attempting to seize arms and ammunition in Lexington met
with resistance from heavily armed extremists who had been tipped off
regarding the government's plans. During a tense standoff in Lexington’s
town park, National Guard Colonel Francis Smith, commander of the
government operation, ordered the armed group to surrender and return to
their homes. The impasse was broken by a single shot, which was reportedly
fired by one of the right-wing extremists. Eight civilians were killed in
the ensuing exchange.
Ironically, the local citizenry blamed government forces rather than the
radical extremists for the civilian deaths. Before order could be
restored, armed citizens from surrounding areas had descended upon the
guard units. Colonel Smith, finding his forces over matched by the armed
mob, ordered a retreat.
Governor Gage has called upon citizens to support the state/national
joint task force in its effort to restore law and order. The governor also
demanded the surrender of those responsible for planning and leading the
attack against the government troops. Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John
Hancock, who have been identified as "ringleaders" of the extremist
faction, remain at large.
And this, people, is how the American Revolution began on April 20, 1775.
Have at it.