Gunning For It

For years Syndicated Columnist Carl T. Rowan has been an advocate of strict gun control. But when roused from sleep last week by what he believed was an intruder at the bedroom window of his Washington home, Rowan forgot his own counsel. After calling the police, he loaded a handgun and went outside. Rowan says he came face to face with a "tall man who was smoking something that I was absolutely sure was marijuana." After the man ignored warnings and lunged toward him, says Rowan, he fired once, wounding the intruder in the wrist. Police identified the trespasser as Ben N. Smith, 18, who, along with at least three others, had apparently scaled Rowan's 8-ft. fence for a dip in the swimming pool.

The incident became an instant cause celebre. Critics dubbed the columnist "the Jacuzzi Gunman" and "Rambo Rowan," while black leaders criticized authorities for dropping charges against the white intruders. No charges have been brought against Rowan, and the case against the youths is still under investigation. In his first column after the episode, Rowan stuck to his guns: "Let my political enemies crow. But let them know that as long as authorities leave this society awash in drugs and guns, I will protect my family."

Our sentiments exactly, replied National Rifle Association Spokesman Wayne LaPierre, who plans to use the incident for promotion. Idaho Senator Steve Symms went a step further. After taking out an N.R.A. membership for Rowan, he sent the columnist a pithy telegram: YOUR ACTIONS HAVE SPOKEN LOUDER THAN YOUR WORDS.