George,

I read with interest the remarks of Maurice Cox concerning gun control. I recommend to anyone having any questions about the topic to read the book "More Guns - Less Crime" by John Lott. It is an excellent review of statistics concerning gun violence and gun control and highlights the difference between right to carry states, such as Virginia, and other states.

One interesting point made in the book is that the two of the groups that gun control advocates claim to be helping, blacks and women, are the ones who benefit the most from less restrictive laws such as we have in Virginia. That vulnerable people often feel the need for access to guns is born out by the tremendous increase in handgun sales in Southern Florida to older citizens, many widowed women, after the Brady bill was passed and before it became effective.

In short, though what Maurice voices may seem to many to be a rational reaction to violence with guns, it is absolutely wrong according to statistics.

Sincerely,

Bob Hodous (electronic mail, January 18, 2002).