Handgun Deaths and Brady Bill

* The tragic shooting deaths of three teens and a young adult on Halloween are just the latest examples of what seem to be unending reports of similar handgun-related killings which are sweeping our nation. In 1991 alone, this nation experienced more than 25,000 handgun-related deaths. When will enough be enough?

Violence involving the use of guns is permeating every facet of our lives. No one is immune, elderly or young, poverty stricken or affluent, or those who reside in rural communities. When will we decide that enough is enough?

The ease with which an individual can acquire a firearm is frightening. Although 26 states, including California, have a waiting period for those attempting to purchase firearms, 24 do not. This waiting period allows time for a background check to be conducted on purchasers. That check determines whether an individual has been convicted of a crime, which makes him ineligible to own a firearm, or whether he has a prior history of mental instability, which would also prevent him from owning a gun. It also provides a “cooling off” period for individuals who would choose to purchase and use a weapon in the “heat of passion.”

No, not everyone who should be prevented from possessing a gun is prevented from doing so through this process. However, in 1992 alone, nearly 6,000 individuals in California were denied their purchase attempt when the background check revealed they were illegally attempting to obtain the firearm.

The Brady bill (approved by the House Wednesday and awaiting Senate action) calls for a national waiting or “cooling off” period before a firearm can be transferred to the buyer. During this period, law enforcement officials from whichever state the attempted purchase was being made would conduct a required background investigation utilizing a nationwide computer system. It would standardize nationally what 26 states are doing independently today.

While it is true that a waiting period is no panacea for handgun-related violence, it is a meaningful step in the right direction. The fact that it is not a complete cure certainly does not suggest that it is useless to employ. Now is the time for us to say enough is enough. We must support the Brady bill.

JERRY A. OLIVER

Pasadena Police Chief