American gun culture -- Feb. 19 p. 3

Mon, 02/25/2008 12:02 PM | Reader's Forum

A few errors need clarification: Britain did NOT experience a decline in violence after it enforced gun control. Violent crime is growing so fast that it is currently listed by the United Nations as the most habitual crime plaguing developed nations. The U.S. has some of the toughest gun control laws in the world and more are coming.

Ironically, some of these gun laws are proposed by famously anti-gun senators such as Barbara Boxer, who, nonetheless, has her own gun and concealed weapons permit, something not readily available to most Americans.

If gun ownership is the source of violent crime, as this writer suggests, then how do you explain the situation in Switzerland, where a fully automatic machine gun (an illegal weapon in America) is issued to each male citizen, along with the requirement to practice with it frequently.

U.S. towns and cities following Switzerland's lead by requiring each household to own a gun have ALL experienced a dramatic drop in violent crime. A gun is a metal tool for hunting, target shooting, home protection, and police military use. All tools can be misused. There are more deaths in the U.S. caused by drunk drivers, medical malpractice and bicycle accidents, for example, than by firearms misuse.

Public interest and cross-cultural understanding is not promoted by erroneous propaganda. The facts are out there from respected university researchers and statistical analysis. All that is missing is open minds and rational discussion. JOHN ELLIOTT
San Clemente, California

Religious problems -- Feb. 20 p. 5

Coppenollle wishes to address this issue? I am recently married to an Indonesian woman and I managed to solve the issue with her and her family.
FLORIS BREMAN
Leuven, Belgium

What was the social environment in which Willy was raised that engendered such tolerance? Is there a message there?
RICHARD E. HARTMAN
Bandung

Soeharto heirs skip court -- Feb. 20 p. 9

I would like to congratulate presiding judge Wahjono for his impartial stance in this case. This is the only way for the Indonesian prosecution system to regain its credibility.

It is also a useful gesture for those who have grown skeptical in matters related to Soeharto. In a country where impunity was introduced and nurtured by Soeharto, ordinary people expect firm, impartial and effective action to implement the slow demise of his rule, impunity and the birth of the rule of law.
PHILIP SETUNGA
Hong Kong

RI Starbucks -- Feb. 20 p. 14

Finally, Starbucks is selling good coffee! Hopefully now it will be fresh...
CRAIG HUFFSTETLER
Boston

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