Letter: Guns: if the mental safety catch fails
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Your editorial ("Ban all handguns now. There's nothing to lose", 17 October) stretches historical fact somewhat. Most previous legislation was not to ban ownership of guns generally, but to restrict easy access to the "right" people so that in the event of insurrection the supporters of the Establishment would be the ones with access.
In Victorian times, the sale of pocket pistols and guns for personal and home protection was probably at its highest, and Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson seem to have had no problems of purchase or retention. Prior to that Mr Manton was selling his superbly designed and manufactured duelling pistols, now to be banned for target shooting, and officers in the forces were expected to supply their own.
The 1926 Act was rushed through by a government fearful of a Bolshevik revolution, and again was intended to disarm the "common people". When the threat of invasion came with the Second World War, we had to run to the United States with a begging bowl to arm the Home Defence Forces.
After the war, many of these guns, given by individuals to help fight for democracy, were scrapped by a government once again apparently fearful of its own population's responsibility.
We do not have a "gun culture" here - no one may carry or use a pistol for personal protection or home defence, and if drug dealers and other criminals are becoming more attracted to firearms, this has no bearing on legal owners.
PETER GILLETT
Farnborough, Hampshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments