We can't abridge rights based on others' illegal conduct

Every time there is a tragedy involving gun violence, there is a cry for stronger restrictions on firearms. The One-Handgun-a-Month legislation championed by Walter M. Phillips Jr. ("Free Fire Zone: Stop the Madness and Limit the Number of Handguns People Can Buy," Sept. 19 Perspectives) is no different.

Gun control laws do not work. One need only look to Washington, D.C., to know this is true. Punishing law-abiding citizens for the acts of criminals never makes sense. Saving lives is a noble proposition. To do so at the expense of the rights of others is misguided and wrong.

As to the Second Amendment being a collective right for states, the militia, as defined by U.S. Code, consists of "all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and ... under 45 years of age who are, or have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States. ..." The rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights are individual rights paid for with the blood of those who have fallen to defend them.

Unpopular though some of these rights might be to some, here and abroad, to abridge them based on the illegal conduct of others is to cheapen them all and the sacrifices so many have made to defend them.

To quote Benjamin Franklin: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." As true now as then.

Abridging First Amendment rights in some instances (i.e., criticism of Islam) could save lives. Abridging Fourth Amendment rights could aid in our fight against gun violence and drugs. No one seems to want to suggest that legislation, though.

JIM MUNN
Bethel Park

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No-good handguns

I have a suggestion on the problem of shooting violence such as happened recently at Duquesne University and happens all too frequently on the streets of our dear cities. Why don't we wise up as a society and outlaw the sale, delivery and possession of handguns?

About 10,000 people are killed every year in America by handguns. Think about that: 10,000.

Folks living in our urban neighborhoods have to be afraid that the kids hanging on the corner, and dissing people, have pistols under their jerseys.

Policemen stopping a driver for a moving violation have to be afraid that he has a pistol tucked in his pants -- and will use it.

Ladies walking their babies in the public park have to be afraid that the guy walking up the promenade toward them has a pistol under his jacket -- and will hold them up.

Why do we put up with it? Handguns are of no real benefit to our society. They are entirely unnecessary. You want to protect your home? Get a short-barreled shotgun. You want to hunt black bears and deer? Get a rifle.

We don't need handguns. They cause far more pain and trouble than they are worth.

As Lynyrd Skynyrd said several decades ago, "Handguns are made for killin' / Ain't no good for nothin' else."

PAUL J. McARDLE
North Side

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About gun sales

I would like to respond to a statement in Terri Barr Schrecengost's Sept. 24 letter, "Why Does Anyone Need More Than One Gun a Month?"

Ms. Schrecengost states that "unlimited handguns can be bought by a person who makes it through the gun registry. The handguns are often then sold to whomever, and that's the problem."

The truth, however, is that handguns cannot legally be "then sold to whomever." When a handgun owner in Pennsylvania wishes to sell a handgun, the transaction must take place at a sheriff's office or at the business of a federally licensed firearms dealer, and the new prospective owner must pass a background check conducted by the state police. This already existing law prevents the situation Ms. Shrecengost fears from taking place legally, and very few gun owners would risk losing their right to own firearms by violating this law.

There are few issues about which such passion exists based on misinformation as the issue of gun control. The simple fact is that gun control laws do not deter violent crime. In fact, as gun laws have become less restrictive in this country, our violent crime rate has dropped. Looking overseas, both Great Britain and Australia have essentially banned guns ... and their violent crime rates have skyrocketed.

I would ask that people please take the time to objectively research the subject before trying to take away my right to defend myself. The real facts are quite readily available -- find out the truth for yourself.

STAN MARSHALL
Lawrenceville

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Caring community

Recently it was hard not to see an article anywhere that wasn't about the events that happened at Duquesne University two weeks ago ("5 Duquesne U. Basketball Players Shot on Campus," Sept. 18).

I am a junior at Duquesne, and I have never been so close to a situation like this. The week following the shootings, it was difficult to even go to class with all the media everywhere asking questions about how we, the students, felt about this.

First, I just want everyone to know that despite what happened, I still feel safe on my campus. This was a freak incident involving non-Duquesne students. Even though there are more security measures on campus now, I still would feel just as safe if there weren't.

Second, I want everyone to know that when you hurt one or, in this case, five members of our Duquesne family, you hurt all of us. We are truly a family here and there is nothing, not even someone with a gun, that can tear this family apart.

Third, I want everyone to know that I am more proud than ever to be a student at Duquesne. I'm proud that my family has supported and helped each other during this time.

I know I can't speak for everyone, but this is how many feel. Please keep those affected in your prayers and in your hearts. My family thanks you.

JESSICA WELLS
Uptown

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Help and hope

Post-Gazette Executive Editor David Shribman got it exactly right in "The Kitty Chronicles" (Sept. 24 "My Point" column).

Effective treatment for depression made it possible for Kitty Dukakis to make the most of a life worth living, and her own courage has made her a great advocate for the millions of people living with this illness. Depression is an equal opportunity employer, affecting both Democrats and Republicans alike, as Mr. Shribman points out.

At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, we are doing research into ways of improving depression treatment and outcomes for older adults who have not responded well to first-line treatment, as was the case with Kitty Dukakis. People interested in more information can call the Late-Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment Center at UPMC (412-246-6006).

CHARLES F. REYNOLDS III, M.D.
UPMC Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Oakland

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Why reward the Waltons for sending jobs overseas?

In the column "Democrats vs. Wal-Mart" (Sept. 18), George F. Will misleads the reader to the far-fetched conclusion that what attracts 25,000 people to apply for 325 jobs at Wal-Mart is the appeal of a $14,000/year job with lousy benefits.

He further concludes that one unsuccessful applicant "should not brood," as 24,674 others were similarly dismissed.

People are fighting for these jobs not because it's what they want, but because it's what there is (or isn't in this case).

People are competing for these jobs because Wal-Mart's policy of buying cheap goods from foreign sweatshops has sent good jobs overseas; because our trade policies are so lopsided we have allowed a $700 billion trade deficit.

What's driving consumers to look for the "made in China" smiley face and not the "made in the USA" label is that many are forced to pay for essential goods with income from low-wage, no-benefit Wal-Mart jobs.

And who do you suppose is paying for the health care and other benefits that the ultra-wealthy Walton family can't see fit to supply to their hard-working employees? Why, we are, Mr. Will.

No, I wouldn't guess Sen. John Kerry shops at Wal-Mart. Nor do I.

Democrats don't believe in rewarding companies that take jobs from Americans and send them overseas for the purpose of making the Walton family fortune greater than the GDP of Singapore. What we believe in is fair wages, equitable trade practices and a citizenry that manages at least a little better than the generation before.

CATHERINE HALUSCHAK
Kennedy

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