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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Wednesday, May. 07, 2008

Gun ads celebrate violence

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The level of violence in our city recently is shocking and deplorable. The conditions that lead young people to consider affiliation with gangs and participation in associated criminal activity are widespread in our society, especially in the media. Violent solutions to problems are widely promoted and glorified throughout our culture -- in movies, video games and even in print and television news.

Therefore, I was dismayed but not surprised to see in The Bee this past Thursday a full-page ad (Page A-9) featuring handguns. In the light of the recent shootings, what message does that send? Is The Bee condoning, through its advertising policy, the settling of differences with guns? Or are you pandering to the segment of society that advocates "carrying" as a deterrent to criminal activity?

The gun lobby will certainly disagree, but I believe that arming ordinary citizens only increases the probability that people will get shot. Every gun in circulation is a potential homicide.

Considering the violent events of the past week, The Bee should not print advertising for firearms.

LUELLA COLE

Modesto