READERS RESPOND
THE ISSUE: We asked readers whether they thought gun shows should be
allowed at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
IN FAVOR
This pertains to your gun show question (“Are guns fair game?” Aug. 9).
It is the right and responsibility of every American citizen to own a
firearm to protect himself and his family. Gun control attacks a serious
problem to the wrong angle.
Today, 60 million Americans own 200 million firearms, including
approximately 60 million handguns. Yet, [according to information from
Sen. Robert Smith, R-New Hampshire] less than four-tenths of 1% of those
handguns will be used to commit crimes. More than 99.6% of all handguns
are used legally.
The gun show is a legitimate enterprise, just as everything else that
takes place at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Anybody meddling around in
it should be given a positively negative answer. That’s it.
WILLIAM B. ANDERSON
Newport Beach
I’m very much against stopping gun shows at different fairgrounds because
there’s more being sold at the gun shows than just guns. And in the long
run, 75% of it is other things that are being sold at those gun shows.
Stopping the sale of guns isn’t going to stop the problem with the
criminals because they’re going to get the guns anyway, no matter what
you do.
GERALD HUBER
Costa Mesa
I do not think anything is going to be accomplished by closing or not
holding gun shows. Thousands and thousands of people go to these gun
shows. I do myself. And closing gun shows is not going to solve the
problems of this gun business. That should be solved by the parents and
the people who raise these children.
DICK SPURGEN
Balboa
I support gun shows at the Fairgrounds. These gun shows are not just
about guns. I buy tools, camping equipment, books, collectibles, and of
course gun supplies. These include rare parts for old firearms, cleaning
supplies, reloading supplies, gun carrying cases, and yes gun locking
devices.
I hope the law-abiding citizens would still be able to exercise their
rights and and be able to use facilities that are paid for by my taxes.
JEFFREY S. BRACEY
Newport Beach
I believe the state should permit all legal activities at a
taxpayer-supported facility. It is inappropriate for the state to censor
either activities or philosophies that are legally permissible.
CHARLES JOHNSON
Newport Beach
OPPOSED
We’re calling to express the opinion that we do not approve of having the
gun shows. We don’t believe there should be encouragement of the sale of
guns or the display or glorification of guns in our area because it just
promotes more gun purchases by, unfortunately, the wrong people.
AARON H. AND MURIEL WINER
I’m very much against any type of gun show, and I think particularly the
Fairgrounds should not conduct a gun show unless they’re absolutely
certain they’ve got the law on their side, so that any buyer or seller of
these guns can be checked through federal or state laws for the
protection of the public to make sure the guns are being passed backward
and forward, to and from legitimate gun owners.
DAVID YOUNG
Newport Beach
I am absolutely opposed to having a gun show at the Fairgrounds in our
community.
JACK McLuhanCorona del Mar
I definitely think gun shows should not be held at the Fairgrounds, or
anywhere else for that matter. All guns and related items, including the
2nd Amendment, are obsolete and archaic and only belong in a museum. Why
can’t the United States join the many cultured and civilized European and
Asian countries who survive and actually thrive without guns?
JANE JUDECosta Mesa
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