Dear Editor:

Whenever the subject of gun
control comes to the frant and ¢en-
tre of public interest, those opposing
it always claim that criminals will
find ways of getting, hold) of
firearin no mater what.

Of course they will. criminals
don't play by gentlemen's rules!
Buc uke a closer fook at Statistics
Canada’s latest: complete records
from 1989-92, and vou will find that
of the average 699 homicides annu-
ally in Canada, one-third (233)
involved firearms, and alarmingly
the victims knew Uheir assailant in
either a domestic or acquaintance
relationship.

More than half of the incidents
took place in their own homes. In
fact, very few murders were the
result of criminal activity for gain.
Comparing this to the U.S.A.
which has four times the slaughter
of innocent citizens per population
head. might lead us in Canada to
feel smug, except that an additional
1,167 Canadians died last year from
accidental firearm incidents.

Hf we were to allow anyone to
drive a vehicle without adequate
testing und racked up a similar car-
nage on the roads, society would be
outraged. Yet, it seems, despite pub-
lic opinion which has been polled
by several reputable organizations
over many years. the politicians

Jumping to the

Dear Editor:

May I take issue with the corre-
spondent who defumed Doug
Collins for his escape attempts from
PoW camps in the Second World
War? -

As a British Army vet J deplore
the statement that the Germans may
have preferred him elsewhere.

Doug Collins is fortunate in one
respect -~ he did not meet the fate
dealt out to so many of his fellow
escapers, or like the American Great
Escape victims — or the Battle of
the Bulge PoWs who were shot out

appear mesmerized by the gun
lobby in Canada, but particularly so
in the U.S.A. where they have even
resoried to threatening clected pub-
lic officials with the loss of their
jobs if they voted against the NRA,

There is no conceivable reason
for anyone or any gun club to own
an assault weapon which, duc to ils
rapid fire. cannot be used for target
competition, fts only purpose is for
the wholesale staughter of mankind
in the field of war, {tis these

sapons Unat account for nearly all
multiple murder atrocities.

Present gun holders should sup-
port sale registation aad manage-
ment of any weapons they possess,
and as thousands of firearms are
stolen every year, mandatory annual
on site inspections should be held to
ensure that weapons ace still in their
possession and safely stored.

| hope that no Members of

Parliament ever have to face the loss
of a family member or friend before
they wake up to the fact that the
ordinary man, woman and child: ta
saciety reads about and fices these
tragedies in their community all too
often, And please, don't allow MPs
to have an open vote — ie. “hands
up yea or nay!” — do it the democ-
ratic Russian way by confidential
electronic polling.

N.C. Howard
West Vancouver

defence of Doug

of hand.

It takes a little extra courage to
#tternpt an escape, knowing that
your nearest point of refuge is hun-
dreds of miles from the camp in
deepest Germany — namely
Switzerland or Sweden.

No sir — all credit to Doug for
what he tried to do and for his
endeavors now. | would hazard a
guess that the originator of that let-
ter could not fight his way out of a
wet paper bag.

John Irwin - ;
North Vancouver

the’leahouse Restaurant

These selections are specially priced
between five and six every evening

ROTINI PASTA

7.95

artichoke hearts, tomato concasse, medley of beans
BAKED CHICKEN BREAST 9.50
bulgar pinenut stuffing, caramelized pear

FRESH B.C. SALMON
daily preparation

BEEF TENDERLOIN TIPS
with shiitake mushrooms,
POLENTA PIE

layers of roasted pepper spinach,

mushrooms, bocconcini

the full menu is also available to you to
make this a most enjoyable visit

een Point.
STANLEY PARK

Ages hee 4
SEETHE (©

METROTOWN 4314182
PACK CENTRE 604-3999

GUALDFORD 583-6002
PACIFIC COUSEUM 251.0502

CENTRE STORE

ON THURSDAY, NOVEMGER 24,
BETWEEN 2:30 - 4:30 PM_

ALL WINTER JACKETS $
25% - 50% OFF

Regular Price
____ SPIRIT CLU MEMBERS ONLY

ALL HATS
23% OFF
____ SPIRIT Ct cena tae NEMEERS ONLY
GRIZZLIES YOUTH T-SHIRTS
2 i% OFF
Pl SPIRIT CLUB P chce ME MERGERS ONLY
BS LIONS MERCHANDISE
25% ) OFF

Regu
SPIRIT CLU ME BERS ONLY

RICHMOND CENTRE 244-9747 PARK ROYAL 9221855
CLEARANCE CENTRE 251-7097 © WILLOWBROOK 430-2560

Artists For Kids
Gallery

810 Weat 2st Street,
North Vancouver, B.C,
987-6667

November 26
through
December 17, 1994
Saturdays and

Sundays .
12:00 - 4:00 pm only