Os oe RRL LO ae

Eee
ey

PN ACERCTE mW WIPE BIE OITA BDL SSO WED EOE DUS BERNE UAL ANT

Friday, October 7, 1994 -- North Shore News — 7

as ai :
‘ ic
if Oe urn ie Ce

Control gun-contro! advocates

Dear Editor:

In your Aug. 31 editorial, you say “When it
comes to guns, Canada should just say no.”

Apparently you have no concer for the tradi-
tional use of sporting firearms by a huge number
of responsible, lnw-abiding citizens for recreation
and hunting.

Virtually everyone would like to see crime
and violence reduced, and if possible, eliminated.

Every gun owner I know recognizes the need
for reasonable regulations for the ownership and
use of guns,

What we need now is an informed, unemo-
donal, rational review of the facts while recog-
nizing the rights and interests of all parties.

Unfortunately, too much is said (and printed)
for its emotional appeal, often without any factu-
al basis. For example, in the debate preceding the
passing of our last gun legislation, there was pas-
stonate rhetoric regarding what were labeled as

Keep school
funds for kids

Dear Editor:

In response to your article
“School board considers PR firm"
(Friday, Sept. 16), 1 must wonder at
ine wisdom and intelligence of the
West Vancouver School Board
superintendent Doug Player and his
trustees,

How can the West Van school
board even consider spending
$9,500 and then $125 an hour as
needed on a PR firm in a time of
restraint? We, the parents, are told
funds are sadly lacking for teach-
ers’ aides, special programs (i.e.
music teachers) and smaller class-
rooms (i.e. child/teacher ratio).

Let’s get back to reality and
allocate the money to the schools
where the children will benefit and
not to the trustees who are worried
about their image.

Sara McTaggart
West Vancouver

Photo: Cindy May

“cop killer” bullets.

In fact, these bullets were developed for and
marketed to law enforcement agencies, and at the
time of the debate there was not a single case
anywhere in North America of a police officer
being killed this way.

Generally, gun owners ure strong supporters
of tougher laws regarding the use of guns in the
commission of a crime, stronger and more effee-
tive prosecution of gun law offenders, and severe
penalties for those convicted.

On the other hand, they wish to retain their
right to own and use their firearms ina legal and
responsible manner,

In Bruce Methven's article in the Sept. 4
paper, he accurately points out that “Each year,
1,400 Canadians ure killed with firearms.”

What he fails to point out is chat, of this num-
ber, 77% were suicides. A comparable number
elected hanging as the best means to this end,

This Thanksgiving order your fresh turkey from KRW Turkey Shop (987-1135) or
Bob the Butcher (987-7709). And don't forget the fresh cranberries, You'll find
everything from crisp vegetables to sweet pumpkin pies for your Thanksgiving feast —

fresh from Lonsdale Quay Market,

A Megan loves turkey and all the fixings that come fresh from the merchants at Lonsdale Quay Market.
We're open throughout the Thanksgiving Weekend, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. For more info call 985-6261. FREE PARKING ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.

while smaller numbers chose drugs and others
means.

Id have to believe that, if there were no
firearms, most of those using this method would
have found an alternative.

It's unfortunate that Methven and the News
chose to include Ray Eagle's (spokesman for an
wnti-gun organization) personal derogatory com-
ments about our elected MP Herb Grubel after
Mr. Grubel apparently asked for “specifies and
“complete information.”

Personally, I've had several contacts with Mr.
Grubel and always found him to be open minded,
intelligent, logical, polite and committed to repre-
senting his constituents.

[suggest we all work together, avoid polariza-
tion, and based on facts, objectively find ways to
achieve our mutual goals,

Ross L, Cunningham
West Vancouver

* Driveway Gates
° Garage Doors