I am writing in response to Shiming Zheng’s letter Completely banning firearms only solution for gun crimes (SN 9/27). The writer displays an enormous lack of knowledge and an even more appalling grasp of logic. To begin with, a ban on firearms is unconstitutional – the Second Amendment secures the right to bear arms. Second, the majority of police officers killed in the line of duty were shot with their own weapon — a ban on firearms would not decrease this.

Hunting is a very necessary control of animal populations. Even if firearms are made illegal, criminals, by definition, do not follow the law. They will be the only ones armed. In regions of high gun ownership, violent crimes decrease. Burglary, assault, rape and murder are less likely when there is a greater potential for the victim to fight back. Switzerland requires all adult males of military age to own an assault rifle and crime is very low. When guns are banned, murders go up, especially when knives are involved (a knife fight is more deadly than a gun fight).