Battle Over Plastic Gun

I agree with Roger Simon (“Plastic Handgun: The Terrorist’s Friend,” Nov. 11) regarding his comment that the National Rifle Assn. has opposed all sane gun legislation for years, and I think it’s about time something was done to break the stranglehold the NRA has on the American people. We should not have to endure the intimidating tactics and power maneuvering the NRA leadership has used in dealing with our government representatives.

In recent years polls have clearly indicated that a majority of voters would like stricter gun-control legislation. Yet, according to Simon’s column, Atty. Gen. Edward Meese, after having been lobbied along with Vice President Bush by the NRA, withdrew gun-control legislation which included the anti-plastic gun bill previously approved by the Justice and Treasury Department officials.

In my opinion, an organization that irrationally opposes reasonable legislation which would help fight terrorism against U.S. citizens should be considered a subversive organization. The NRA leadership can claim to be the most patriotic citizens in this country but when they support suppression of anti-terrorist measures such as the anti-plastic gun bill, their actions speak louder than words. They are, in effect, contributing to terrorism.

I hope your readers will react against the frighteningly pervasive influence of the NRA on our society and follow Simon’s request that they write their legislators asking their support of the bill to ban plastic handguns.

CONNIE HASKELL

Pasadena