THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Regarding ``Secret weapons for Virginia'' (letter, July 28):
Kaye Tice of Virginians Against Handgun Violence stated that in Florida, murders by firearms went up from 697 to 800 over a six-year period, implying that people with concealed-weapon permits were responsible for this increase. The truth is that none of these murderers had a concealed-weapon permit. The bad guys do not follow the laws; only the good guys obey the law. I am thankful to Governor Allen for allowing law-abiding Virginians the legal ability to protect themselves.
The U.S. Constitution is the law of the land, but our political parties are split over the meaning of the Second Amendment. The majority of Republicans are pro-gun and the majority of Democrats are anti-gun.
One needs only to read the Federalist Papers at a local library to find out exactly what the Second Amendment means. People should not rely on politicians, special-interest groups and the news media for facts.
EARLE B. SOUTHARD
Virginia Beach, July 29, 1995 by CNB