THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 26, 1994 TAG: 9410260008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
You say toy retailers are banning realistic toy guns ``voluntarily.'' Not so. The toy industry is responding to pressure from groups that believe people are too stupid to own toy guns. Or real guns, for that matter.
Just name a supposed danger and you'll find some lobby advocating its removal from society. Real guns, toy guns, even five-gallon buckets, some say, are too dangerous to leave in the hands of the average American.
Well, I am an average American. If I misuse a gun, punish me.
If I hurt someone with a toy, find me guilty.
If a child drowns in my five-gallon bucket, hold me responsible.
But don't punish the whole of society for my crime or for my stupidity or for my negligence.
And don't expect me to surrender one of my freedoms just because some criminal, or some idiot or, yes, some child, misuses that freedom.
If we relinquish a freedom every time someone abuses that freedom, all freedoms will be lost.
GEORGE A. FOSTER JR.
Chesapeake, Oct. 19, 1994 by CNB