Letters To Guns

Guns Magazine, Oct, 2001

Ultra Ultra Ultra

Your cover story made me laugh! ("Ultra-Tech 870" GUNS Aug. '01) Just how much high-tech stuff can you hang on a pump shotgun and still be able to lift it? A laser, a vertical forend, a sidesaddle shell holder, and two flashlights? Good thing there's a sling on that gun!

In all seriousness, however, I really enjoyed the story. While a lot of police departments are trying to integrate .223 rifles and pistol-caliber carbines into their tactical doctrines, Cameron Hopkins demonstrated that the old 870 is still mighty versatile. And those powerful, flashlights can, in fact, be used as very effective non-lethal weapons -- another fact that law-enforcement officials would do well to consider as they're spending millions of our tax dollars trying to develop space-age "less than lethal options" for their officers. I daresay that 225 lumens in the face is every bit as incapacitating as a wad of super sticky glue, or a jolt of electricity, or a cloud of stinky gas.

Anyway, thanks again for a wonderful issue. I'm going out right now to see if I can find a way to mount a cell phone, air horn and fire extinguisher on my own Model 870.

Ken Thrice

Houston, Texas

Read Some Smith

In your August issue, you presented a brief review of L. Neil Smith's new book, "Lever Action." ("GUNS Insider") Although you spoke well of Smith's collection of essays, you also said that you were unfamiliar with his science fiction works. Okay, let me introduce you to the man.

I've lost count of the great books Smith has written, but I'm sure they number well into the dozens. Probably his most mainstream work is "The Adventures of Lando Calrissian," although it's hardly his most innovative. His fans know him better for his works in the "alternate reality" genre based on libertarian philosophy, such as "Forge Of The Elders," "The Wardove," and "Pallas" and "The Probability Broach."

Freedom and individual rights are themes throughout Smith's books. In every novel, his characters struggle against established authority and conventional political status quo. Of course, like most truly great sci-fi books, Smith's stories are nothing more than veiled commentary about current social, political and economic conditions. Sometimes, in fact, the veil is a little thin, but you can never claim that Smith isn't passionate about his subject.

Although several of his books are out of print, you can usually find them easily on any of the on-line booksellers or auction sites. If you're secretly a liberal at heart, proceed with caution -- you might be in for a shock to the senses. But if you read and enjoy GUNS Magazine, you'll love Smith's work. Check it out!

Mark Plant

Portland, Ore.

Mr. Practical

I've got to compliment you on a trend I've noticed in the work of your "Rifleman" columnist, Dave Anderson. Ever since he began writing that column, I've enjoyed reading his articles advocating the practical over the precision. His reviews of Bill Blankenship's methods of sight alignment and trigger control in the last issue are a perfect example.

Too often these days, I see shooters at the range practicing with their hunting rifles from a bench rest. I know, it's reassuring to see those little 3/4" groups appear out there at 100 yards. Everyone seems to want to make fun of the guy who's shooting off-hand and struggling to maintain a 3" or 4" group -- but, guess what, folks? That's the guy who's going to take home a deer while you're still looking for that "perfect" field rest.

Keep up the good work, Dave, and don't let the accuracy snobs convince you that the good old practical shooting methods are things of the past.

Terry Robertson

Phoenix, Ariz.

Medical Alert

How many of you were stunned into silence when you heard the statements made by Dr. Richard Corlin, the new president of the American Medical Association, in his inaugural statement in June? I know I sure was. Corlin tried to couch his intentions in politically neutral rhetoric, and tried to say that anyone from either side who questions the AMA's motives is obstructing the public good, but it sure sounded like a call for a "war on guns" to me.

The care we receive from our "health care providers" is becoming more careless and slipshod, and statistics show that more people are dying from physician neglect and malpractice than ever before. At the same time, firearms accidents are down, crime is at a remarkable low, and guns are being designed and made safer and better than ever.

Is there a need for the. AMA to declare a crusade? I think so -- but not against gun owners. How about a crusade against a health care industry that is so focused on the bottom line that they're letting thousands of patients slip through the cracks? How about advocating a ban on administrators who push doctors to rush from patient to patient until they're so stressed and exhausted that they're incapable of making sound medical decisions? Physician, heal thyself -- and leave us law-abiding gun owners alone.