Controversy Over Gun Control Laws

After reading state Sen. Ed Davis’ (R-Valencia) column “Stockton Murders and Sacrament Stalemates� (Opinion, Jan. 29), I could only wonder if Davis and legislators like him aren’t a large part of the problem.

Davis wastes 800 words complaining about “all or nothing� approaches of those on both sides of the gun control issue without indicating how he would reduce the danger posed by assault weapons. Why did he do this? Was it to avoid taking a position in favor of the current gun control proposals which are aimed specifically at semiautomatic weapons like the one used to murder the Stockton children?

Why is it that Davis writes: “Without rushing, but with all deliberate speed, the Legislature should, once all the facts are known, confront the problem by evaluating . . . “ and “I don’t yet know the answer, but, I intend to listen, dispassionately, as both sides present their cases�? Does a former police chief with nine years of legislative experience actually need to gather more information on these weapons? Isn’t he really shooting for a Sacramento stalemate?

If Davis truly wants to Legislature to “do everything in our power to ensure that we minimize the possibility of another Stockton schoolyard massacre,� he should support the calls for a ban on assault weapons made by Gov. George Deukmejian, Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp, the Los Angeles County supervisors, L.A. Police Chief Daryl Gates, L.A. County Sheriff Sherman Block and numerous others. Until then, his lamentations about tragic murders are just hollow shells!

DAVID B. MICHELS

Northridge