Not Again!

To the Editors:

I felt just as frustrated and saddened as everyone else by the attack on President Reagan [April 13]. Only this time the shock waves weren't there. That is how I realized the real horror of this mess. I am adjusting to violence.

Carolynn Loughridge Denver

Ronald Reagan stood taller in this real-life drama than in any of his celluloid screen efforts. Perhaps now we can stop associating him with Bonzo, train robbers, cattle rustlers and pretty girls.

Ward Kendall Montreal

What a man this President is--his courage, his joking, his aplomb after being wounded. Millions suddenly realized how much they love and respect him.

Scarlett Clark Southampton, N. Y.

It is appalling that any citizen could applaud the shooting of a President. The reaction of the students from Tulsa was as sick and disgusting as the assassination attempt itself.

Eric Ewell Ridgewood, N.J.

The majority applaud not the tragedy of the shooting but the courage, humor and intelligence of an incredibly well-balanced President. His Administration may have some frayed edges, but it responds to emergencies with decisiveness and wisdom.

Philip Dodge Novato, Calif.

In your diagram of the Devastator bullet, you show the casing still attached to the bullet as it travels to the target and explodes. The casing remains behind or is ejected when the round is fired.

David King Auburn, Ala.

Your picture showing the President the moment before the shooting reveals an obvious defect in his security. The policemen should be watching the crowd, not the President.

Austin B. Olson San Diego

To Ban or Not to Ban

Following the recent assassination attempt, we are once again hearing the same old argument from the National Rifle Association: "Guns don't kill--people kill."

Maybe we should start selling nuclear weapons to any country that wants them. After all, "Nuclear bombs don't kill--people who drop them kill."

Gary H. Landau Jackson, Minn.

Guns don't kill people; people with guns do.

Rod McKuen Beverly Hills, Calif.

People don't propel bullets--guns do.

Andy Meehan Tucson

May I suggest that we start calling handguns what they really are: murder weapons.

Lionel E. Siegel Los Angeles

Assassination is not the American disease. Our sickness is our love affair with guns as final arbiters of self-defense, temper tantrums, family disputes and manhood. Equating human needs with gun ownership tells the story of our retreat from civilized behavior.

Mark Franceschini Westminster, Colo.

I've had it with your anti-gun garbage! There are 50 million handgun owners in this country, myself included, and we'll fight your nonsense to the end.

Dale P. Vest Kansas City, Mo.

The right to bear arms be damned! We have the even greater right to be allowed to live.

John Percival Jr. Whitehall, Pa.

I defy those people who oppose handgun control to point to any other weapon that can inflict such lethal damage from a distance and, at the same time, can be so easily concealed. To suggest that a knife or a club could accomplish what a handgun can is nonsense.

Paul G. Czisny Madison

I trust that Lance Morrow will sleep well after having advocated violation of the constitutional rights of 50 million honest, law-abiding citizens. If we ban handguns, the criminal elements will take over even more.

Robert C. Sayre Long Lake, N. Y.

The Second Amendment to the Constitution sanctions the bearing of arms only for one purpose: "A well-regulated militia being necessary . . . " Use of firearms for any other reason is not advocated.

Mark Taber Columbus

When will you in the Northeast realize you are living in a world apart from the rest of the country? Most of my friends own handguns and use them for hunting, target practice and defending their homes. No one I know would turn in his gun. Handguns are an American cultural symbol that cannot be eliminated. Convict criminals first--not guns.

Chuck Davis Arlington, Texas

Anyone entering an airport terminal is subjected to a loss of personal rights. Undergoing electronic frisking is unfortunate, but the results are worthwhile. I am willing to accept the loss of another personal freedom--the right to private ownership of a handgun.

David B. Bean Owosso, Mich.

Our criminal-justice system does not protect citizens from crime; consequently, citizens are protecting themselves with guns. Tough gun-control legislation will not pass so long as there's a soaring crime rate. Only severe punishment will deter the criminal.

Michael F. Murray Dallas

Although I am in general agreement with the arguments presented by Lance Morrow concerning handguns, I do not believe legislation should be enacted to control these weapons. Criminals intent on possessing handguns will either steal or manufacture them. A far more effective solution would be to impose a mandatory death sentence on anyone convicted of using a handgun in the commission of a crime.

Burr D. Benedict Jr. Columbus

An illegal gun will be as easy to purchase as heroin. The availability of illegal drugs is proof that banning handguns is not the answer. Just as many guns will be sold despite a law. Worse, the profits will go to organized crime.

Marilee Heiss Wehde Laramie, Wyo.

It is amazing that sane people would propose to solve the problem of handguns by banning them. The same approach was used on alcohol during Prohibition and is now being used on drugs, with unsatisfactory results.

John Hufford Whitmore, Calif,

Helmsman Haig

Would the news media have treated Alexander Haig [April 13] more kindly if, when he was asked who was in charge, he had answered, "I haven't the slightest idea, but I certainly am not"?

Astrid Anderson Devils Lake, N. Dak.

People have forgotten how General Alexander Haig held the country together during the disastrous final months of the Nixon Administration. When Mr. Haig took the microphone after the attempted assassination of President Reagan to proclaim, "I'm in control here," he displayed that same courage.

Cathy L. Duggan St. Louis

Secretary of State Alexander Haig is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. He should be sent back to the military where he belongs.

Fred W. Cleveland Pomona, Calif.

Haig is a loose cannon on a pitching deck. He should be tied down before he sinks the ship.

John T. Cox North Miami, Fla.

Hating America

The film you mention in "Hating G.I.s Is Child's Play" [April 13] brought back sad memories. As a member of the U.S.S. Pueblo, seized by the North Koreans in 1968, I was forced to watch this movie as well as plays, operas, and even a circus with the same theme. The North Korean horror museum at Sinchon should be visited by every American. You will leave saddened and sick when you realize that a whole generation has been raised on hate, killing and revenge.

Ralph McClintock Dover, Mass.

Black Life

My name was placed among those who TIME said were exploiting the tragedy in Atlanta [April 6]. Thus, by inference if not directly, you implied that I was party to the opportunism that occurred. Because of the extremely sensitive nature of this tragedy, I have done my best to work behind the scenes, maintaining a low profile on this issue.

You also said that "although there is no evidence to support his thesis, Jesse Jackson told an audience in Washington, D.C., that the Atlanta murders are part of a nationwide racial conspiracy." You then quoted me as saying "It is open season on black people." I stand by that statement, but it needs to be put in context. The context is that whether the killer or killers turn out to be black or white, black life is not and has never been valued by this society. Thus whites or blacks can kill blacks, and it is not seen in the same manner as when whites are killed. I regard this attitude as a cultural conspiracy to kill black people. Whether physically, politically, economically, psychologically or spiritually, the personality of the American culture is antiblack. Black life is not viewed as being on a par with white life.

(The Rev.) Jesse L. Jackson National President, PUSH Chicago

Tough Times

So Hollywood is in trouble [March 30]! I am not surprised. Almost every film in this city is now R rated. I've yet to hear anyone say, "Let's go to a movie. There is one playing that's full of profanity, nudity, sexual moaning and violence." Millions of people stay away for that reason. Perhaps Hollywood has lost touch with the rest of America.

Vivienne L. Richardson Flint, Mich.

Judging Masada

The parallels between the Zealots at Masada and the followers of Jim Jones in Guyana were rightly alluded to by Richard Corliss [April 6]. Either community could be considered martyrs or fanatics depending upon your point of view. Both groups tried to keep themselves pure and isolated from the dominant culture. Both committed suicide when that culture attempted to bind them to its laws.

Gordon L. Anderson Claremont, Calif.

The closing moments of the epic Masada were a startling reminder of the events in Guyana under the direction of another fanatic, James Jones. In both cases, the final action is an unacceptable alternative for either cause.

Thomas Ramsey Phoenix

The Jews at Masada were not similar to the people at Guyana. Eleazar and his followers could see their enemy below. He made no pretense to be anything but a military leader. Eleazar was not followed as a Messiah; he did not prevent his people from leaving nor did he turn them into slaves.

Michael A. Mayer Lenexa, Kans.

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