Gun Control Claims Unproven

I am writing in regard to your editorial "Canadians Set Pace in Gun Control" (staff editorial, Feb. 20). The line of the editorial I question read, "But only gun control has had the proven effect of increasing security--and life expectancy." I ask where is this "proven" effect?

Is it to be found in New York City or Washington D.C., which have some of the most restrictive gun laws and yet some of the highest crime rates in the nation? Or is it in Alaska or Montana, which have very lenient gun laws and yet much lower crime rates?

Gun control advocates cannot even establish a clear correlation between gun control and lowered crime. Until they can, I don't see how they can claim they have "proven" anything. Randy Karger '98