The Issue: Whether tougher background checks for gun sales will lead to a decrease in gun violence.
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John Lott’s article made me laugh out loud (“The Truth About Background Checks,” PostOpinion, Feb. 13).
He is basically saying that beefed-up background-check legislation is flawed on two fronts: It has no teeth, and it might do harm by delaying gun purchases for women being stalked by exes.
There is really nothing to be said about the latter, an absurd premise. As for the former, exactly which toothier version of gun-control legislation does Lott think would have a snowball’s chance in hell of passing? Lott seems to be advocating the standard Republican Party line: Do nothing.
Michael Valente
San Clemente, Calif.
Politicians of a liberal bent are determined to do something on gun control, even if what they accomplish is without meaning.
They know that many Americans are poorly informed and thus easily fooled. They talk up assault-weapon and high-capacity-magazine bans and increased background checks on gun buyers, knowing that even if they achieve this, it will not put a meaningful dent in gun violence.
This sounds good to the uninformed and wins applause from the naïve, but in this case, what you don’t know may hurt you. Paul Bloustein
Cincinnati