Letters: Jun. 28, 1968

Of R.F.K., N.R.A. & TV

Sir: I doubt that anyone who does not own a gun can be any more outraged at the tragic assassination of Senator Kennedy than are the many responsible citizens who happen to be sportsmen and gun owners [June 21]. I have seen firearms used for good (yes, even against fellow man), as well as for evil; but I have not as yet laid blame (or credit) to the gun. It is interesting to ponder if the emotion of the moment will bring on a joust with windmills, and whether the result will provide a catharsis for the guilt complex of a nation in turmoil.

JOHN V. POTTER JR. White Sulphur Springs, Mont.

Sir: I fully agree with the National Rifle Association's stand that gun laws will not stop people from shooting people. I would also like to see the American Automobile Association campaign to eliminate all traffic laws, because they do not stop people from speeding and driving through red lights. And then I'd like to see some interested group work to eliminate laws against rape. There are always some killjoys in society trying to restrain the American sportsman.

B. BLATTERFEIN Elmhurst, N.Y.

Sir: The right of an honest American to own a firearm for self-defense, oldest of all human rights, is more important than the life of any leader who ever lived.

C. H. HAUSER Oklahoma City

Sir: Some of my fellow N.R.A. members might change their minds about our frightfully inadequate gun laws if they spent a few days watching the "weekend warriors" being brought into Temple's accident dispensary, also known as the Tioga Knife and Gun Club. If you really want to see the lead fly, go to the Poconos on the opening day of deer season; it makes the Tet offensive look like kid stuff.

KENNETH I. BIRD JR., M.D. Temple University Hospital Philadelphia

Sir: Hasty, hysterical legislation only promises to leave the law-abiding American more exposed to the armed criminal and addict. We already have plenty of laws on the books; laws do not automatically prevent crimes. Trained gun owners are the answer to the gun problem.

RAYMOND BROWNE Waccabuc. N.Y.

Sir: In TIME'S review of my current novel Airport [March 22], a criticism was made that a description of how to build a homemade bomb was needlessly specific. I consider this criticism justified. As a result, in later U.S. and overseas editions of the book, I have fuzzed the bomb description, making it impossible to follow by specific steps.

I now suggest that TIME take its own advice and in future black out details of how to buy firearms such as those displayed (address and all) in the reproduced advertisement.

ARTHUR HAILEY London

Sir: These past weeks, I have reviewed with horror and disgust my own inflammatory, biased and ill-considered remarks about the candidates, their policies, their motives and even their wives. What, indeed, had I to do with this latest paroxysm of violence? What can I possibly do to prevent another? I have no .22-cal. weapon to lay down, but I have preconceived opinions to lay aside, and harsh, irresponsible words to swallow.

J. PATRICIA BETHANY Riverton, N.J.