---

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 20, 1993                   TAG: 9302220273
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

---

MEDIA `DIRTY TRICKS' DON'T KILL

I HAVE LISTENED to the debates, have read propaganda from the National Rifle Association and I finally have to say something. The letter to the editor from David S. Johnson (Jan. 30, "Media dirty tricks fuel anti-gun effort") shows what garbage is being tossed around by those afraid a grave (no pun intended) injustice is being done.

I cannot figure out why anybody needs more than one handgun per month. I daresay lots of folks could use far less. Handguns are not for hunting to provide food for the family table but for killing and injuring people. Wake up, we are not talking about a lofty and moral choice of "your guns or your civil rights." We are talking about limiting weapons used to maim and kill. Grow up, Bubba. Sometimes you can't have all the toys you want.

I would rather be "assaulted" by the media than by someone needing more than one handgun per month. I think my chances of survival are greater with the media. CYNTHIA HUGHES LEXINGTON

---