Licensing Proposal for Handguns

Re “The Right Road for Gun Control,” editorial, July 5:

Once again, The Times embraces another ill-thought-out scheme, AB 273 by Assemblyman Jack Scott (D-Altadena). What neither The Times nor Scott addresses is how this bill would actually work if enacted. Who would oversee and certify the training required for gun ownership? Where would a prospective firearms owner go? Gun ranges are too few and far between to accommodate the many thousands of law-abiding citizens who purchase firearms each year. How does a first-time firearms purchaser take possession of a weapon if he/she needs to get a license in order to get the weapon in the first place? If for some reason the gun owner failed the test, would he/she have to surrender possession of the firearm, or risk becoming a lawbreaker?

Perhaps this is the key issue for anti-2nd Amendment zealots. By creating a situation where a license is difficult or impossible to obtain, you have successfully restricted gun ownership without actually banning the right to own firearms.

DANIEL J. NIEMIEC

Huntington Beach

* Your editorial regarding the state ban on so-called “assault weapons” reported that the California Supreme Court ruled that “No mention is made [in the state Constitution] of a right to bear arms.” This is scary! Are any of the freedoms guaranteed us under the Bill of Rights mentioned in the California Constitution? Please check because, if not, I guess we are all in big trouble in California!

STEVEN GROSS

Los Angeles

* Handgun registration? Owner licensing? More taxation? Oh no, not another all-powerful DMV!

EDMUND G. HIDALGO

Santa Fe Springs