Philadelphia Inquirer
Posted on Wed, Mar. 03, 2004

Letters | Letters

Bizarre theory on guns

The Inquirer must be the last respectable publication willing to print the counter-intuitive ravings of John Lott, pro-gun darling ("Senate bill can end misleading debate on guns," Commentary Page, March 2).

Lott's bizarre theory that more guns equals less crime has been thoroughly abused by his peers and is disproven every day in Philadelphia, where the prevalence of guns has resulted in an alarming rise in gun crime and violence.

Lott's questionable relationship with fact was borne out by the discovery that he invented a female alter-ego, Mary Rosh, who vigorously defended Lott in print and on the Internet (see www.WhoIsMaryRosh.com). Things got worse when Lott trotted out his version of the "dog ate my homework" excuse when unable to produce survey data he had cited.

It's no surprise to read Lott taking further liberties in his latest commentary, claiming that gun industry immunity legislation will stop only "reckless" suits against the gun industry. Nonsense. Enactment will terminate almost all suits, whatever their merit, and make the gun industry the only one in American history to gain wholesale immunity from liability. Gun makers are already immune from consumer product regulation. Should we now further protect the makers of the most lethal of products?

Bryan Miller
Executive director
Ceasefire NJ
Trenton

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