Dole Weapons Pledge

“Pledge to NRA Opens Rift in Dole Campaign” (April 12) and “Off Target” (editorial) really got my blood boiling. Before the semiautomatic weapons ban was signed by Clinton, Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) announced that he would filibuster the ban if enough people called his office. So many people called in to oppose the ban that he had to open another line because the first was busy 24 hours a day. The desire to overturn the ban is not the sole province of right-wing fanatics, as The Times would have people believe.

The editorial cited polls that show “most” Americans supporting the ban. The great majority of Americans are not into shooting as a hobby. Their only knowledge of firearms largely comes from the media. With such colored, slanted, biased anti-gun misinformation as their sole source of input it is no wonder why they support the ban. We law-abiding recreational shooters don’t ask that you agree with us, just give the public at large the opportunity to base their “opinions” not on emotionally biased rhetoric, but on a fair presentation of un-slanted information and a healthy dose of what part personal responsibility plays in any action.

MICHAEL THOMAS

El Toro