Ban on the tracking of gun sales, gun crimes

Re “Guns, crime and no data,” editorial, Sept. 3

The federal government can surreptitiously track phone calls to protect us from terrorists, but the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is barred from tracking gun sales and gun crimes, and if pending legislation supported by the gun lobby passes, police agencies will not even be allowed to share this information with one another. Terrorists take note: Stop strapping bombs to your chest and instead stock up on assault weapons. The gun lobby will protect you from government surveillance.

STEVE MILLS

Glendale

*

Despite having “no data,” The Times editorial used the terms “almost certainly” and “undoubtedly” in assuming there has been an increase in crimes committed with so-called assault weapons since the federal ban expired two years ago. Maybe there has been an increase. Maybe there’s been no change. Or maybe there’s even been a decrease. The fact is The Times doesn’t know because the law now denies you access to that data.

JOE DAVIS

Lancaster

*

The Bush administration has a right to its opinions about the efficacy of gun control. But it doesn’t have a right to deny the public’s right to know the facts about the connection between the free flow of assault weapons and crime.

DENNIS MURPHY

North Hills