Heston and NRA

* Re “NRA Launches War Against Al Gore,” May 21: What to do, what to do, I’ve got such a low IQ. I must have, because I see both positives and negatives in both the Million Mom March and the National Rifle Assn. Both espouse noble causes.

Let me say that my home is protected by Smith and Wesson. I broke ranks with the NRA over its not being willing to outlaw military assault weapons for civilians. A skilled hunter needs only one bullet to satisfy his machismo. He doesn’t have to perforate the target.

The moms should fight to have all existing gun laws strictly enforced. With close to 200 million weapons floating around, there’s no way to confiscate and/or register them, so concentrate on locking up offenders and throwing the keys away.

How much safer we would all be if instruction in the proper and safe use of a gun as well as the inherent dangers were in effect.

Hard though I try to find fault with the NRA’s president, Charlton Heston, being Jewish, how can I dislike Moses?

PAUL WASSERMAN

Northridge

*

It is sad but also reprehensible to see “Moses” Heston being used as a puppet for the NRA. Holding a musket above his head and threatening the U.S. government to try and take it from him smacks of senility. If he wanted to portray the NRA in a more realistic view, he should have held up an automatic weapon that can kill much more effectively than his musket.

It is interesting that these super-patriots who wrap themselves in the American flag are generally those who have never experienced combat during wartime and who have never felt the sheer joy of “survival.” Apparently belonging to the NRA, for many, is a substitute for manhood.

RICHARD J. SILVESTRO

Santa Maria

*

Heston still doesn’t get it. No one is trying to take anyone’s guns away. I own guns and am happy to register them and if required, secure a picture gun owner’s license.

I have a marriage license, a driver’s license, an automobile registration and a dog license for my pet and neither I nor Heston objects to those required permits.

Regarding criminals and prosecution, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies put people in jail daily who use guns in crimes.

Wake up, NRA, more people are killed by acquaintances than by criminals in the act of robbery.

CRAIG BELL

Rancho Cucamonga

*

If Diane Petroutka (May 20) is taking her children to an NRA convention to teach them about the 2nd Amendment, maybe I should take my children to the city morgue to teach them about the destruction caused by a society overpopulated by guns.

VENIDA KORDA

Van Nuys

*

Your May 19 editorial (“Guns: Action, Not Words”) stated that Congress should “pass the modest licensing and record-of-sale requirements [for firearms] introduced last week by Sen. Dianne Feinstein.” There is nothing modest or reasonable about the federal government passing a law that is unconstitutional.

It would be interesting to see how the press reacts to a proposal that The Times must be licensed by the federal government in order to publish. I predict that such a proposal would not be described as “modest” by your editor.

JEFF BLEIL

San Diego