Letters: Gunning for trouble

Re “Utah town considers guns for all,” Feb. 24

The City Council of Spring City, Utah, hopes that its new ordinance encouraging every individual to own a firearm will be a model for the nation. Were the country foolish enough to follow this recommendation, there would certainly be an increase in the number of suicides or domestic disputes that escalate into impulsive homicides.

But as a pediatrician, I am primarily concerned with the most innocent victims of firearms, the children killed and injured in gun-related accidents.

Experts estimate that an American child is killed in an unintentional firearm accident every few days. Thousands more are injured.

My message to Spring City is simple: We all want to protect children. Encouraging universal gun ownership without promoting basic safety measures, such as proper storage of guns — unloaded and locked — is irresponsible. If people are going to have guns, they must at least store them safely, or risk the lives of the children in their home.

Elizabeth Barnert
Los Angeles

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