Letter: Gun control isn’t sensible response to senseless killings

Thursday, Sept. 23, 1999 | 9:40 a.m.

This kind of sick behavior is a fad, aided and abetted by how the media, especially TV, covers these things. It used to be that suicidal idiots just killed themselves. Now, the fact that there will be a weeks-long media frenzy, calls for new laws, and public breast-beating by sociologists about "our violent society," make these attacks followed by suicide de rigeur.

It will not change until we alter our thinking about gun control. Look at recent history -- Columbine High School, Atlanta offices with a "no firearms" policy, Salt Lake City Mormon library, California hospital, and now a Texas church. All are "gun free zones," the lunacy of which should be painfully clear by now. Sadly, only the victims obeyed. These "safe" zones do nothing but advertise to all psychopaths that the people inside are helpless.

Just once, I'd like to see a citizen who is carrying a handgun in these proscribed areas shoot these attackers. Guaranteed -- that mode of "expression" would quickly fade in popularity, media coverage notwithstanding.

No doubt Clinton and fellow statists will now sound the tocsin for implementation of the juvenile crime bill gun controls. Since none of these laws would prevent this tragedy, the opportunistic "push our agenda at all costs" approach becomes apparent. One wonders when (or if) the public will ever wise up.

ALBERT KRAUSE Mesquite

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