DATE: Tuesday, October 7, 1997              TAG: 9710070010

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Opinion 

SOURCE: BY ALICE MOUNTJOY 

                                            LENGTH:   67 lines

2ND AMENDMENT PROTECTS THE GUN INDUSTRY

The recent articles on state candidates gave a capsule summary of the different positions of candidates for the top three state offices. In providing their position on gun control, several candidates expressed support of the Second Amendment.

The Second Amendment states in its entirety, ``A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms, shall not be infringed.'' Since this was included as a part of the Bill of Rights in 1789, its meaning has been interpreted several times.

``I support Second Amendment rights ``is the code phrase for the National Rifle Association and the candidates who curry NRA support. The NRA is now symbolically led by Charlton Heston, a former Moses of Hollywood fame, who recently suggested that the Second Amendment is the ``first Freedom, the one right that protects all others . . . the one right that allows `rights' to exist at all.'' The NRA believes that ``an armed society is a polite society.'' Its logic suggests that differences in opinion will be settled with bullets rather than public discourse or ballots.

Most citizens do not support private arsenals or armed citizens' solutions to public-safety issues. The Supreme Court has ruled that while the Second Amendment allows a state to protect its citizens, states may limit the private use of firearms. All states have a state police, and most have a National Guard. Both of these organizations are regulated and highly trained in the use of firearms.

Politicians proclaiming support of Second Amendment rights often promote family values while encouraging gun use for self-protection. The tragic statistics tell us that families that have a gun in the home are 43 times more likely to have a family member killed by gunfire (includes suicide, homicide and accident) than to shoot an intruder.

Voting records show lawmakers vote against such simple restrictions as carrying of dangerous weapons into parks, restaurants and recreation centers. Those with this voting record should explain why dangerous weapons are prohibited in the Governor's Mansion, the Virginia State Capitol and on federal property such as airports and post offices, but the same weapons are allowed into public parks, municipal buildings, sporting events and recreation centers where children play.

Accidental shootings are a public-safety issue that suggests that firearms should be treated as a dangerous consumer product. Technology has been available for years to make firearms much safer for consumers, but legislators continue to reject requirements for such simple improvements as child safety locks and load indicators.

Whether one believes gun ownership is a privilege or a right, gun use should come with significant responsibilities. To claim a right without first accepting responsibility is contrary to family values and accepted precepts of public safety. Any first-time parent knows that a child should not be allowed to cross the street until he or she demonstrates the responsibility to handle that privilege. Those who use firearms should be required to have proper training and knowledge of legal use of deadly force.

According to Gallop polling, 67 percent of all citizens support strict controls over firearms. Support of handgun controls is even higher, at 72 percent.

The only values being protected by the Second Amendment are those of the gun industry and the gun lobby. Next time a candidate proclaims support of the Second Amendment when asked about his or her position on gun control, concerned citizens should ask for more specifics about voting records and policy positions that prevent gun tragedies. MEMO: Alice Mountjoy, a Norfolk resident, is president of Virginians

Against Handgun Violence.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu