Handgun Crime Statistics

* I was especially intrigued by the last paragraph of “Handgun Crime Soaring in U.S., Report Says,” May 17.

I quote, “The survey also found that 38% of the victims who were armed attacked the individuals seeking to harm them. One-fifth of those attempting to protect themselves with a firearm were injured, compared to almost half who used other weapons or had no weapon at all.”

I guess it comes as no surprise that the notoriously anti-gun Times would bury this intriguing bit of news at the very end.

SAM BRUNSTEIN

Glendale

* By now everyone knows the position of the National Rifle Assn. regarding the Second Amendment, but does anyone know the NRA strategy for keeping guns out of the hands of those using them to commit crimes?

J. S. KLEINSASSER

Bakersfield

* Are all you gun advocates who want assault weapons part of “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State” as specified in the Second Amendment? That’s the prelude to the part you guys always quote, but you completely disregard it. Do you want an assault weapon in every home for self-defense? Or would you have equipped the law office in San Francisco, where eight people were killed, with assault weapons?

Your emphasis is always on “criminals” committing these crimes, whereas these mass murders are committed by deranged men who can go out and buy these weapons of war to commit these atrocities. And then they often commit suicide, which precludes prosecution.

“Law-abiding responsible citizens” are not “being stripped of their self-defense” (letters, May 14). We--and the police--are being outgunned by wackos with weapons of war that will fire 100 bullets at one loading.

HERBERT HERR

Altadena

* In response to “Hold Handgun Makers and Sellers Liable,” by Erwin Chemerinsky and Richard Mosk, Commentary, May 19:

Isn’t it interesting that lawyers would state that “it should not matter if there is an intervening criminal act.” Haven’t they missed the point? Criminals are the problem, as well as a justice system that no longer cares about victims, only sound-bites. How much money do lawyers expect to earn from these fraudulent lawsuits? Why aren’t they now suing Ford and General Motors because drunk drivers kill innocent people? Maybe brick makers should be sued because chimneys fell during the earthquake!

Second, according to recent information, of the 38,000 firearms deaths, only 13,000 are murders. I’m sure someone committing suicide would never think of taking sleeping pills or jumping off a cliff in the absence of firearms.

JOHN THOMAS APA

Canoga Park

* Let’s see. The threat of criminal proceedings for handgun crime is not enough. As such, only the introduction of endless tort litigation would stop the criminal use of handguns. Right. And why not just call the new federal statue, “The Attorney Full Employment Act of 1994”?

STEPHEN R. ASHLA

Torrance