This letter was sent to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, but was not printed.

June 5, 2000

Letters to the Editor c/o
Richmond Times-Dispatch
P.O. Box 85333
Richmond, VA 23293

Dear Sirs,

I trust all is well in the editorial offices of the Times-Dispatch. I find I am once again compelled, by the ignorance of others, to point out the obvious.

Much has been made recently of the need to "register" handguns for the safety of our citizenry. When those of us who support the Second Amendment point out our right to own and possess arms we are told that, "mere registration is a reasonable step to assure the safety of others".

Now I am going to ask the question that never seems to be asked, "How does registering my gun prevent me from using it illegally?" I have a concealed carry permit and own several guns, both handguns and longarms. If I were to register each and everyone of them how is that to prevent me from taking one of them and shooting the next guy who cuts me off in traffic? Does the fact that the police might be able to more easily track me down make the victim any less dead?

I also own a motor vehicle. It is licensed and registered by the government. How would that registration keep me from driving my car into the next crowd I see standing on a sidewalk? I can be easily tracked because of the license plate, etc., but are my victims any less dead?

What prevents me from committing these heinous acts is something that has become overlooked in our national zeal to place the blame on inanimate objects, my respect for human life and the law. I know that were I to harm another I would, and should, be held responsible. You can take a criminals gun away from him, but you cannot remove the malice from his heart simply by passing more liberty restricting laws.

If we are serious about fighting crime and further curtailing deaths in which the perpetrator uses a gun then we must be willing to hold accountable the person committing the crime. Put them in prison and keep them there or in the electric chair when need be and strongly enforce the laws that have been in existence from our nations founding. But further laws restricting our liberties only breeds contempt for that government which shows so little trust in its citizenry.

Sincerely,

Floyd C. Bayne