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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 12, 1990                   TAG: 9007120409
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SCOTT INCH
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO DISPEL MYTHS ABOUT

It is sad that the paper feels it necessary to publish blatant lies in an attempt to influence public opinion on this misunderstood issue. A perfect example is the recent quote by Baltimore County Police Chief C.J. Behan, who claims that "assault weapons" (can anyone define this term?) are "inappropriate for hunting or target shooting" and are used only "to kill vast numbers quickly."

Myth: Semiautomatic weapons are inappropriate for hunting.

Guns like the Browning automatic rifle and Remington 1100 shotgun are self-loaders designed specifically for hunting. Even the military look-alikes (AK-47, AR-15, etc.) are easily adaptable for hunting and are ideal for use on medium-sized dangerous game where a quick second shot is desirable.

Since when did sporting use become the litmus test for gun ownership, anyway? I must have misread the Second Amendment, because I don't remember the part that says: " . . . the right of the people to keep and bear sporting arms shall not be infringed."

Myth: Semiautos can't be used in target shooting.

Someone should tell this to the many shooters who use M-1 Garands in competition at Camp Perry every year. It seems odd that the same guns used by snipers in the military lack the accuracy required to be used in a target shooting match.

Myth: "Assault weapons" are used only to kill large numbers quickly.

Apart from the above uses, many military auto-loaders are purchased by collectors for their historical significance. Concerning the number of people killed, consider the recent incident where 87 people died in a New York City night club after it was firebombed. This figure is more than the total number killed in all of the "assault weapon massacres" from Patrick Purdy to James Edward Pough (reported just weeks ago).

It is ironic that $1 worth of gasoline has ended more lives in one incident than all of the so-called massacres with Chief Behan's "death machines." We can only hope that the chief and Sarah Brady will preach the evils of premium unleaded and persuade Congress to pass a seven-day waiting period, or better yet, a complete ban.