As Mike Royko states, “Strict gun laws are about as effective as strict drug laws” (August 6). The Brady bill is a perfect example. While many people have been led to believe the Brady Bill will be an effective anticrime statute, the only people affected by the bill will be those who legally purchase firearms.

While we agree that gun violence is increasing in this country, especially among teenagers, measures such as the Brady Bill will do nothing to stop this violence. The Brady Bill, with its mandatory five day waiting period, will do nothing to stop teenage criminals from illegally obtaining firearms. As quoted by Neal Know in Shotgun News, “Sixteen year-olds already have a five year waiting period before they can legally obtain a gun … but they pay no more attention to that law then they do to the laws against rape, robbery and murder” (20 November). The Brady Bill will also do nothing to stop older criminals from illegally obtaining firearms.

A total ban on firearms is not the solution either. It is illegal to buy, sell, or possess handguns in Chicago. How many people were killed by handguns in Chicago last year? Mike Royko states, “It pains me to say this, but the NRA seems to be right: The cities and states that have the toughest gun laws have the most murder and mayhem” (August 6). Banning firearms would only expand the existing firearms black market as well as turn law abiding gun owners into criminals.

Instead of punishing law abiding gun owners with ineffective gun laws, lawmakers should be more concerned with punishing gun offenders. Stiffer sentencing along with more jail space to house these offenders is a viable option in the fight against gun violence in our inner cities and “quiet, treelined suburbs.”

Kevin McGowan

Senior

Biology

Kevin Hannon

Senior

Accounting