‘Infantile Fantasies’
Glidden’s article does point out a very serious problem with handgun ownership--the “L.A. woman who buys a handgun to protect . . . against the threat of violence”--the danger she puts herself in as well as all around her.
Yet he associates that with fantasy and irrationality. I consider the act of protecting one’s self from one’s adversaries highly rational. As for Stinger missiles on the beach . . . well.
Handgun accidents usually fit one description: tragic. But the accidents are not caused by irrationality or self-delusion. They are the direct result of lack of education of the handgun owner on the subject of handgun safety.
I propose that if a mandatory handgun safety course were a prerequisite to every handgun sale, safety could be restored to gun ownership.
Taking guns away from rational people does nothing to remove them from the hands of the irrational criminal.
STEVEN HOLMES
Fullerton
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