Guns and People: Exercise Care

The evening news reports that seven out of 10 Americans show signs of depression and are having sleepless nights. The Times reports that California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer is investigating 70 possible hate crimes (Sept. 20). Just below that article we read that gun sales have jumped 30%. What a prescription for calamity! Here are some suggested remedies.

If you or your loved ones are feeling depressed, see a mental health professional, not a gun dealer. There is medical help for depression. If someone in your family has recently purchased a firearm, make sure you assist that person in getting the counseling he or she might need. Neither hate nor anxiety and depression are reasons to purchase a weapon.

If you are aware of someone who has recently bought a gun and is spewing hate, let your local law enforcement agencies know.

Angelenos are still paying the price for the guns purchased in the mid-1990s, during the city’s riots--please let us not lose more lives to the tragedy of Sept. 11. This is a time to come together and show the world we can overcome the terror of that day.

Ann Reiss Lane

Chair, Women Against

Gun Violence, Los Angeles

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The terrorist actions of Sept. 11 lent credence to the National Rifle Assn.’s mantra that guns don’t kill people, people kill people. “People kill people,” with whatever means possible.

Vince Marzo

Glendale