State Gun Ban Backed

Re “Gov. Signs Bill Banning .50-Calibers,” Sept. 14: The argument that there is no evidence that these heavy-caliber weapons have ever been used in a crime is specious. There is no evidence that nuclear weapons have ever been used to settle a dispute in a bar either, but rational minds decided that such overwhelming destructive power should not be in the hands of individuals.

The issue is not with the legitimate uses of the guns by sportsmen and responsible target shooters. Rather, the problem is that too many careless gun owners have allowed their weapons to be stolen out of unsecured closets and garages during residential burglaries. (I know because, as a former law enforcement officer, I routinely wrote up many of the theft reports.) Once these stolen weapons are on the street, we are all at the mercy of criminals and lunatics who would rather punch holes in armored cars than paper targets.

Stephen C. Lee

La Habra