Richmond Times-Dispatch
P.O. Box 85333
Richmond, VA 23293
Attn: Editor of Editorial Page

Dear Sir,

I write to express my concern with another of a multitude of liberal, feel good, do nothing substantive laws. I speak specifically of the recently passed Brady Bill.

I would ask any of the citizens of this country if they truly feel safer now as a result of the passage of this onerous bill? Has crime as we know it ceased to exist? Will criminals now find it more difficult to obtain the tools of their trade? I think the answer is an obvious NO!

I have a mental image of a car pulling into an alley off of one of Richmond’s mean streets. A well dressed young man gets out of the car and goes to the trunk. He opens the trunk as two figures emerge from the shadows and move to the rear of the car. One of these men points to a semi-automatic hand-gun that lies in the trunk. He states that this is the type of gun he was looking for and asks the price. The salesman states his price and offers to let the party inspect the weapon. After looking the gun over the customer indicates he is ready to make his purchase. He pulls out a wad of money and starts to peel off a few bills when the salesman stops him. Sorry, he says, You’ll have to meet me here next week. We must observe the five day waiting period.

In the mean-time a law abiding citizen, who truly fears for his safety and that of his family, must really observe this waiting period. All the while the criminal who would break into the law abiding man’s house and threaten his family already had his gun. You see criminals do not obey the law. That’s why they are called criminals!

So the question becomes, does this law really do anything to protect the innocent, law abiding citizen (as it is purported to do) or does it simply make it more difficult for the law abiding citizen to obtain the means of protecting his family?

It should be obvious by now that this is just another law enacted by a bunch of gutless politicians (Democrat and Republican) to try and create the illusion that they are doing something to fight crime. In reality this law will do nothing to stop the rising tide of crime in this country or in the City of Richmond. It is simply another attack on an easy target, THE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS OF THE UNION!

I hope that my fellow citizens will stand up and be counted. I hope that they will make their anger known as regards this new law. Perhaps if enough of us speak out soon this stupid and ineffective law can be repealed. I can only hope.

Yours for Liberty,

Floyd C. Bayne