Gun Violence.

• Author: Herbert, Bob
• Position: Brief Article

Is more gun control needed?

YES More than 750,000 Americans have been killed by guns since 1960. Gun violence is one of the great American pastimes.

In the wake of the April 20 tragedy in Littleton, Colorado, the House of Representatives had a chance to take a tiny step toward reversing the pervasive slaughter of Americans by guns. But the Republicans made sure that didn't happen.

What did pass the House was a patently unconstitutional measure allowing public schools to post the Ten Commandments on classroom walls.

A better idea was offered by Bill Bradley, the former Democratic Senator from New Jersey, who is running for President. He called for a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution, and possession of the cheap handguns known as Saturday-night specials. He wants all handguns to be registered and says potential gun owners should first be required to pass a safety course and obtain a license. Bradley also supports proposals to limit handgun purchases by any one person to one a month, and to require trigger locks on handguns.

Bradley recently asked, "Why is it so difficult in this country to have a rational dialogue about reducing gun violence?"

Ask the leaders of the National Rifle Association and their stooges in the majority party in Congress.

--BOB HERBERT Times columnist

NO On April 20, 1999, after a year of planning--and signs of trouble ignored by parents, teachers, and peers--Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened fire on fellow students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.

The...