Debate Over Gun Restrictions

Re “Take a Double-Barreled Approach,” Commentary, May 24:

I am amazed that the authors are unaware that much of what they ask for is already in place. All legally procured handguns are presently registered in California. Firearms crime statistics down to the city level are available at the California Department of Justice Bureau of Criminal Statistics Web site.

For referrals when a buyer’s application is rejected by the state Justice Department, the question is not whether or not DOJ refers the case to the local district attorney. The question is whether the district attorney dedicates resources to a case that should otherwise be a simple one to try and win. Any new “special tax” on the procurement of ammunition would probably suffer the same fate as the recently deceased L.A. sewer fee.

ANTHONY CANALES

Granada Hills

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I do not wish for anyone to have to confront a “cold, dead hand,” whether it be their own child’s or Charlton Heston’s. This is why I traveled to Sacramento to testify in support of a sentence-enhancement bill nicknamed “10-20-Life” and was stunned that the National Rifle Assn. failed to support it. I advocate for child safety locks, magazine disconnect mechanisms and chamber load indicators because they will have an impact on unintentional and suicidal gun deaths.

I promote the concept of safety training (licensing) and adult responsibility (registration) for gun owners and I am bewildered that others leapfrog over these concepts to attack their own “straw men.” The Million Mom March Foundation will help us focus on these lifesaving issues.

CHARLES L. BLEK JR.

Laguna Hills

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A letter writer (May 24) stated that the government is not trying to take our guns away. I would like to remind him of the 1998 ban of the SKS rifle. These guns were trustfully registered in California in 1992 by law. Law-abiding citizens had to turn them over by Jan. 1, 1999, or face charges. I am a supporter of the 2nd Amendment but I also realize there is a problem we need to deal with.

But I am also sick of honest citizens having to suffer because of a few in our society who must commit crimes. That is why we need to enact and/or enforce laws that prosecute the criminals who use guns. Registration is not the answer and will only serve to jeopardize the rights of the innocent.

SEAN McCREADIE

Bellflower