Gun Proliferation and Violence

In his column “Still Time to Cancel Your Order” (Commentary, May 19), Michael Beard states that handguns have little value for self-defense because they are not likely to kill an intruder. Why do Beard and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence consider homicide the only self-defense? How often does the mere presence of a handgun prevent crime?

Surveys commissioned by groups on both sides of the gun control issue estimated that nearly 650,000 Americans defend themselves with handguns each year. Yet Beard says that handguns are worthless weapons because they killed only 215 Americans in self-defense in 1990. Criminals would disagree.

Most of the 1,800 felons interviewed for a Justice Department study said they have a greater fear of an armed citizen than of the police. The threat of an armed citizen--without firing a shot--may be the most effective deterrent to violent crime.

MIKE BARRANCO

Irvine