GUNS

Paul Houston’s “The NRA Fights Back” (July 30) is to be commended. It was not clouded with his personal views of the gun issue. It was an informative telling of what the NRA was going through. I don’t feel the article was pro-gun or anti-gun, and that in itself was most refreshing.

“Why I Own a Gun,” by John Hurst, had an excellent sampling of gun owners today. However, I found the interview with Judge Gilbert Alston disturbing. Alston clearly states his position on gun control, yet carries a handgun “because of a disturbing increase in violence against witnesses in criminal proceedings.” What exactly does Alston plan to do with his gun? Shoot those who are threatening witnesses? I think it’s just an excuse to carry a gun for his own protection, while saying other citizens should not be allowed to do the same. It never ceases to amaze me how many gun-control advocates are the very ones who own and carry guns (because of their status in society) while trying to take away ownership of guns from law-abiding and knowledgeable citizens.

A. M. SCHAFFER, Hacienda Heights