NRA Promotes Safe

Use Of Firearms

To The Editor,

Regarding the April 21 article about the Million Mom March:

First: March organizers say that gun lobby groups “justify misuse of guns by making references to freedom, liberty, and the American Dream.” In truth, the NRA promotes safe use of firearms – holding gun safety training and providing instructional materials about safe handling of firearms. The NRA defends Second Amendment rights because they protect citizens from governmental tyranny where unscrupulous governments attack their own people for any number of reasons. Think of fascism, communism, Kosovo, Iraq, South America, South Africa, and pre-Revolutionary America. Freedom and liberty from such treatment are the freedom and liberty to which the NRA refers.

Second: A Newtown resident states that “There are far too many guns available and the purchasers are not being screened properly.” Existing gun control laws, if they were enforced, would screen potential gun purchasers quite well. Making false statements on the screening paperwork one must complete before being allowed to purchase a gun (Federal Form 4473) is a federal felony, carrying a ten year sentence. The Clinton-Gore administration claims to have prevented 500,000 illegal gun purchases through instant checks of information on this form; however few of these offenders have been prosecuted – leaving them free to obtain guns in some other illegal manner.

Third: We suggest that our society could be better served by employing the following alternatives to more gun banning and control.

Increase the availability of firearms safety training and improve safe storage of firearms in the home.

Fully enforce existing gun control laws and stricter penalties for crimes committed with firearms.

Improve the ability of schools, medical staff, employers, clergy, etc. to identify and serve psychologically troubled individuals before they commit massacres.

Promote better parenting. Parents need to be more engaged with their children, give more positive and consistent discipline, and instill a sense of moral judgement in their children. Whatever our society can do to teach and support these skills will go the furthest toward making our communities safer.

Thank you,

Mr and Mrs Paul Ludanyi

40 Old Bethel Road, Newtown                                     April 25, 2000