Handgun Policy

* The latest anti-gun vote by the L.A. City Council is simply mystifying (“Curbs on Small Handguns OKd,” March 22). Does anyone on the council really believe that making it more difficult for law-abiding people to buy guns and defend themselves will have any impact on crime? A report last year from the Clinton Justice Department (the most anti-gun administration in history) showed that the vast majority of firearms used to commit crimes are obtained by theft or some other illegal means.

There is a proven way to cut down on gun crime that has been widely reported in the media, Project Exile. Richmond, Va., experienced a dramatic decrease in gun crime when local and federal resources were combined to enforce existing gun laws and put criminals who use guns to hurt people behind bars. Why the powers that be in L.A. refuse to consider this common-sense and effective approach is baffling.

MARK BEDOR

Studio City