THE EDITOR, Sir:
A FEW comments on Senator Kidd-Deans private citizens' gun advocacy. As a former member of the JCF, and one who was actively involved in the training of recruits in the use of firearms, I was exposed to some grim facts about gun ownership.
(1) The gun which is obtained for 'self-defence' is hardly ever used in that capacity. Instead it is usually used by accident when a child 'finds a toy' and shoots a sibling or playmate with it, or in anger when the owner, or other adult privy to the gun, uses it against a friend or family member.
(2) The criminal elements no longer have to go through elaborate means to get their hands on a gun; they just rob it from 'Mr. Law-abiding-citizen'.
(3) If someone steps on Mr. Law-abiding-citizen's foot, it is more likely to escalate into violence because he has a gun and feels his 'oats'. Without a gun, a simple apology would be accepted, but with the gun the offender has to 'eat crow' or else.
The point I'm trying to make here is that if more guns are out there, then there is the definite likelihood of more violence. Statistics have proven that. There has to be a better way.
I am, etc.,
B. GEORGE DUNN
george.dunn@nypa.gov
New York
Via Go-Jamaica
