Gun Sales and Film Violence
Re “Senate Panel OKs Gun Sale Limit,” June 9: Kudos to the state Senate Public Safety Committee for moving AB 202 along--a bill that will limit the sale of guns to one per month per purchaser in California. However, it is puzzling why this law would exempt movie and television companies (among a few other categories) from such limitations. Is it that these companies need more individual gun protection or that they need to purchase more guns for “just” entertainment shows?
Either way the smell is bad when contrasted with two other articles published the same day, “Theater Owners Plan ID Checks at R-Rated Films” and “Studios Squirm in the Hot Seat,” which both refer to the “public revulsion over violence in entertainment.” I ask the question: Why don’t movie and entertainment companies need to wait in line for what we want to be a scarce commodity?
LIZA WHITE
Los Angeles
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Regarding R-rated movies and IDs: As usual, America has its priorities totally mixed up. We should forget about the big sex bugaboo and instead require IDs to view violence in movies. “R-50, No one under 50 admitted without a parent or guardian.” Usually by then you no longer have the energy to get too crazy!
MARC LEGER
Los Angeles
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The debate over violence in the media is politician-driven and will never provide any real solutions. If politicians and their constituents want to see a significant reduction in media and real-life violence, then they need to start debating the deeper issues: expanding educational and social welfare programs that already have track records of success; funding programs to help parents struggling in their efforts to raise good children; ensuring that medical and psychological services are available to all.
Until we as a country are willing to admit that we leave those in need and those in trouble to their own devices, with little or no support from the community, we will remain a violent culture. Violence and anger are easy; peace takes work.
CAROL MAY
Los Angeles