Letter -- D.C. Council Should Reject Proposed Gun Law

The D.C. Council is scheduled to vote today on the Firearms Registration Amendment Act [Metro, Dec. 3].

This legislation, championed by council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), would impose onerous administrative requirements on law-abiding gun owners. It would ban certain models of currently legal rifles and pistols, and it would arbitrarily limit magazine capacity to 10 rounds. These solutions in search of a problem would ensure that criminals would continue to outgun victims and witnesses. The District's streets would be no safer.

Instead of further disarming residents, the council should implement more effective ways of preventing and deterring gun crime. It must demand that judges end the "revolving door" in which felons who are caught possessing guns illegally get only probation or minimal jail time. The council should impose mandatory minimum sentences for criminals caught with guns. It should also grant judges the authority to set bond and keep violent offenders behind bars.

Mr. Mendelson's legislation is another chapter in the sad legacy of a council that has been tough on guns but soft on criminals.

C. RANDOLPH WHIPPS

Washington