Gun Control

I have been a gun owner for 20 years; I own guns for both self-defense and recreation at outdoor shooting ranges. All my guns are registered, and I’ve always followed the rules of gun safety and security. I would never use any of my guns as a means to hurt anyone, unless they directly threatened my life or the life of my loved ones.

The recent gun control rhetoric and legislation are meant as a means to punish responsible gun owners, so that they cannot purchase and own guns. The only way to curb violence is to enforce existing laws against criminals who wreak havoc and violence on others. Gun control, in any form, will not prevent people intent on committing heinous acts from obtaining weapons. But gun control will most certainly disarm law-abiding citizens from defending themselves, and ultimately give more power to the criminal elements.

ANGIE L. AUTREY

Mt. Baldy

*

I agree with the National Rifle Assn. on one point--our existing gun laws need to be more rigorously enforced. How about some hard jail time for the person who sold the semiautomatic pistol to the kids at Columbine High--say, one year for each fatality?

STEVEN MARCUS

Santa Monica