Gun Control Attempts

“NRA’s Good Times Roll On” (editorial, Nov. 14) upset me. It is based on the theory that more gun laws will reduce killings. It also paints those who don’t march to this point of view as gun nuts.

I am certainly not a gun nut, but I am well read on all sides of this issue. I read the fact that the killing of schoolchildren in Israel stopped when teachers became armed. I read that a year after Australia confiscated guns from all of its citizens, the number of gun-related homicides and robberies increased. I read that the states and cities with the strongest gun laws (like New York City, Chicago, Washington) have the highest murder rates.

It is clear to me that that gun control is really victim disarmament. Because of your erroneous views, I just joined the NRA to help counter views spread by some of the media and politicians.

PAUL D. BLUMSTEIN

Rancho Palos Verdes

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There is a simple reason the NRA’s good times roll on: They are on the side of the U.S. Constitution; your editorial position is not. I’m not a member of the NRA, but you tempt me.

GARY C. WHITWORTH

Redlands

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Re “Don’t Tread on Me--or I’ll Sue,” Voices, Nov. 13:

Michael Strickland may be correct that this is a litigious, and often unjustifiably so, society. However, to use this as a defense of the gun manufacturers is absurd. He totally misses the point that there can be no justification for manufacturing and selling within the United States, either automatic or semiautomatic weapons. Why is it necessary for these manufacturers to arm our citizenry for internal warfare? Their arguments that the guns are necessary for “hunting” are ludicrous.

Even I, who am loath to sue unjustifiably, would be tempted to sue the manufacturers if I, or any of my family, were to be harmed by such weapons.

I suggest that Strickland use his logic to argue against unjustified lawsuits and not use it to protect an industry that has demonstrated its complete lack of concern for our quality of life by coming up with ridiculous ration- alizations every time one of their military-appropriate weapons is misused.

HOWARD KAYTON

Mar Vista

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I’m sure Strickland’s article must echo the thoughts and feelings of the vast majority of people in this country who wonder whatever happened to our innate common sense! Instead of accepting responsibility for our own actions, we rush to find a scapegoat to blame for our problems and misfortune.

I applaud Strickland for articulating so well the same views I hold.

RICKIE KLAEGE

Los Angeles