Unreasonable ban
This is in response to “Godzilla’s gun” (Editorial, March 29). Since when is it sound legislative policy to ban something on what it might do someday? After doing an exhaustive search, using several search engines, I could not find a single instance of a .50-caliber rifle ever being used for anything except long-range target shooting in the United States.
These rifles have been around for decades and have never been used in a single crime or terrorist act.
The truth of it is, they were developed more than 40 years ago by civilians and used for target competition at 1,000 yards. The military adopted them after the civilians created the rifle.
It was not the other way around.
Based on the logic of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board, I guess we should pre-emptively ban SUVs with V8 engines because the owners might go berserk and drive the SUVs into a schoolyard full of children.
You know those big V8s are just too dangerous to leave in untrained, civilian drivers’ hands. They are obviously meant for the racetrack and professional use only.
Call me if you ever hear of an actual crime ever being committed with a $8,000-plus, 7-foot-long, 40-pound target rifle and we might have a reasonable discussion.
Don Petersen
Frankfort
Wasteful lighting
To see the dazzling night lights of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and many other large American cities is a thrilling experience.
Yet I can’t help reflecting that it is also an incredibly extravagant use of energy.
In the interest of saving the Earth’s energy supply, can’t just the top and bottom floors and maybe one or two floors in between those of all tall buildings be lighted? This would provide for the necessary air and ground traffic safety. And it would save oceans of fuel and money.
Helene Gale
Glenview
Benefit of Bush
As a Democrat, I would like to thank President George W. Bush.
He has been a better salesman for my party than anyone else I could imagine.
Robert Shanahan
Roselle
