Lawsuit Threats Over Handgun Bans

Re “Gun Lobby Warns Cities of Lawsuits,” Dec. 13:

Having failed with legislative arguments and lost in court, the gun lobby has turned to threats to stop the movement to ban Saturday night specials--threats of nuisance suits against small cities.

The gun lobby already lost its lawsuit. The Superior Court has upheld the right of cities to ban the sale of Saturday night specials. These new nuisance suits are nothing more than a desperate ploy to scare cities. But it isn’t working. Twenty-eight cities and counties throughout California have banned the sale of these cheap handguns and are urging the Legislature to enact statewide legislation.

Saturday night specials are small, short-barreled, easily concealable handguns made of substandard metals that sell for as little as $50. They have no safety devices, their short barrels make them notoriously inaccurate, and their soft metals can explode when fired. They are useless for self-defense or sport, but are ideal stick-up guns for street hoods. Since most Saturday night specials are made in California, it is appropriate for California to lead the national movement to ban these little killers.

LUIS TOLLEY

Western Regional Director

Handgun Control, Los Angeles

* “Mexico City Crime Rate Up Despite Crackdown” (Dec. 15) describes how the nation is being swept by an out-of-control crime wave. I can understand this in view of the fact that Mexico has for years had one of the highest murder rates in the world. What I can’t understand is how all of this can be, in view of the unmentioned fact that Mexico has also for years had total gun control. A Mexican citizen simply can’t own a firearm unless he is politically well-connected.

For years now, The Times has been editorializing for just this type of gun control as a panacea for our own crime problems. When absolute gun control has no effect in Mexico, what makes The Times believe that it will work here?

WALT SHULTZ

Tujunga