Gun controversy causes recoil

Re “Pistol for police marketed to public,” Jan. 12

This headline is misleading. This is not just a Los Angeles Police Department gun -- I believe it is still constitutional to buy and own firearms in this country, with or without special markings. I’m also intrigued by L.A. City Councilman Jack Weiss’ question: “If any member of the public is shot with one of these guns or, heaven forbid, a cop is shot with one these guns, what would be the explanation?” I personally like to hear explanations in every shooting when citizens, and especially cops, are involved. It seems to me that Weiss and the rest of the City Council have plenty on their plates already. Let’s not waste time on an issue that Police Chief William J. Bratton considers a nonissue.

Greg Field

Burbank

The brouhaha over the sale of “SIS” [Special Investigation Section] marked pistols to the public is, as Bratton aptly characterized it, foolish. Are critics of the sale of “these highly specialized weapons” oblivious to the fact that these pistols are merely slightly refined versions of the U.S. government model of 1911 that has been available to the public for decades? Except for the distinctive cocking serrations, these pistols differ in no significant respect from numerous other pistols marketed by Kimber and other competitive firearms makers. Ironically, in light of the controversy, it appears these guns will be unavailable for sale here because of recent changes in state gun laws.

Jan M. Libourel

Long Beach

The writer is editor of Gun World magazine.