To the Editor:

Kudos for your article in USA Weekend of April 14, 2000, "Kids. Guns. The Internet." by Tipper Gore, Guardian of the Constitution. I remember Mrs. Gore for her work with one of the most unconstitutional, anti-free-speech groups ever founded, the Parents' Music Resource Center (PMRC)...which, incidentally, fell quiet when her husband became a candidate for Vice President. Her husband is now a candidate for another political office, and she has become a spokesperson for another hot-button issue: gun control. Surely this has little to do with her husband's (or her own) political ambition--she is clearly only concerned about the welfare of children. So concerned, in fact, that she could not be bothered to do any research before her in-depth "panel discussion" with high school students.

When high-schooler Jeremy tells Mrs. Gore that "If you wanted to get a gun...Someone would have a site selling guns who wouldn't check for age," (emphasis mine), Mrs. Gore answers, "And you just pay for them and they mail it to your home?" She is taking as truth the speculation of a 16-year-old. Whether she believes it is does not matter: What is important is that she reiterates the point, driving into the memory of readers that kids can buy guns on the Internet. In a time when no one cites their sources, in a time when it is enough to say "I heard somewhere that...," this memory becomes truth.

I do not blame poor Jeremy for his ignorance. He is a product of an American culture that teaches us not to question anything learned from the Almighty Television. As far as he knows, kids can buy guns on the Internet. The truth is I have actually been to many, many firearms-related websites, and I have never seen one that sells guns illegally. And, regardless of the age of the buyer, it IS illegal to sell guns on the Internet, unless the buyer has a Federal Firearms License (that is, he is a registered gun dealer). While I am sure that it is possible to buy firearms on the Internet illegally, I am equally sure that it is possible to buy crack on street corners.

I do blame you, for unethical reporting, and Tipper Gore, for using these scared kids as a political mouthpiece.

The truth is, guns do not turn people into vicious killers (and neither does music, but that's a subject for another day). In kids as in adults, vicious killers find ways to kill (how killers do get made is also the subject for another day). Because some unethical people will sell guns to anyone, killers of all ages are able to get guns. However, these transactions are already patently illegal. Making firearms the targets of more laws only serves to disarm people who heed the law--criminals (by definition) are already breaking laws. I find it contemptible that people cannot understand that mass killing is illegal, and that additional laws will not make any difference.

Lest I be accused of being only negative, I would like to commend USA Weekend for noting repeatedly that school violence is down. Congratulations. At least one of the "facts" in your magazine was actually true. You are a shining example of journalism to be admired. Keep up the great work.