Pubdate: Sun, 20 Jan 2013
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Al Deurig
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/pm4R4dI4
Website: http://www.post-gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341
Author: Al Deurig

GUNS AND DRUGS

In his Jan. 6 Issue One letter "Guns vs. Drugs," Barry Brown calls us
who favor gun control stupid but then asks the very people he berates
for help understanding why gun laws would be more useful than failed
drug laws. Let me enlighten: First, drug laws have deterred many
people from drug use. Likewise banning guns would not prevent all
shootings but they would prevent many accidents and recklessly
impulsive acts of otherwise law-abiding citizens.

Would Sandy Hook have happened if the guns hadn't been so
handy?

Second, outlawing drugs has had the effect of killing people by
driving the manufacturing business underground, producing drugs of
unknown quality and strength, which are used without medical
directions or precautions. I doubt if there could be many clandestine
gun factories. Third, people choose to take drugs.

Guns kill many innocent people. Legalizing drugs would save many
lives, as would banning guns. Obviously clear thinking does not come
readily to Mr. Brown, but perhaps with some effort he can see that
despite any sophistry the gun culture can invent to protect their
toys, it is indisputable that if there were no guns there would be no
shootings.

If there were an infinite number of guns, everyone would be shot.
Where on that continuum do we wish to be? AL DEURIG Greensburg
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D