
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990                   TAG: 9003290602
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-16   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

A TALE OF TWO NATIONS' GUNS

YOUR MARCH 22 morning edition displayed bold headlines that Mr. Gorbachev had ordered all Lithuanians to surrender their guns. On the same page, also in bold headlines, Rep. William Hughes, D.-N.J., was sponsoring a bill for a wider gun ban in the United States. Only a fool would not realize the motive behind Gorbachev's demand.

I believe that King George III tried the same thing when we declared our independence so many years ago. Thank God we did not turn in our guns and instead used them to gain our freedom and used them again and again to keep it.

What kind of government is it that does not want its people to own guns? Or better yet, why should a government be afraid of the people who are gun owners?

Most of our lawmakers would respond: "Oh, we are not against the people having guns, just certain guns." The latest ban would be on any firearm capable of having a silencer or bayonet attached. Well, you can attach a silencer to any weapon. In my career of more than 30 years as a police officer, I have yet to hear of someone assaulted by a weapon with a bayonet attached. Also, true assault rifles are in reality machine guns, regulated since 1934 by the federal government.

I agree that some people abuse their right to gun ownership. Punish them, not the honest owner. Educate our children in school on firearms safety. Don't pass asinine laws to pacify certain groups who could care less.

J.D. RICE\ ROANOKE

by CNB