American Rifleman: Readers write

"Readers Write" affords members an opportunity to comment on material published in the American Rifleman. Single-topic letters are preferred and may be edited for brevity. Send letters to Readers Write, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030-9400.

HOLLYWOOD LESSON

On February 28, at 9:19 a.m., I heard a single gunshot from the direction of the Bank of America two short blocks away from my home when returning from my mailbox. After reporting it to the police, I decided to carefully approach and see what was happening.

Before getting very far, I heard thunderous fully-automatic fire and rapidly headed home. The firing continued, and through TV and radio, I saw the nowfamous North Hollywood shoot-out unfold.

Initial reports speculated (incorrectly) that there may have been heavily-armed gunmen at large rampaging through my immediate neighborhood.

It was at that moment that I realized the true importance of my precious Second Amendment right to bear arms and to protect myself, my home and my family. The police were tied up attempting to bring the heavily-armed bank robbers under control two blocks away. The thought of being confronted by one of these criminals and gambling that the police might somehow be called away from the hold-up in time was much less settling than knowing I could protect my own life.

If anti-gunners get their way, honest people would be at the mercy of criminals who get their guns however they canlegally or illegally.

The two gunmen had been arrested in 1993 when caught with illegal arms and robbery paraphernalia and had plea-bargained their way back onto the streets in less than a year in much the same way hundreds of vicious criminals do every year. The answer is to properly incarcerate dangerous criminals and to maintain the rights of honest citizens to protect themselves. Eric Krackow, California

KRAG KUDOS

Thank you very much for "Krag: The Last Cavalry Carbine" by John D. McAuley (March 1997, p. 34). am a former Krag shooter and hunter (it made into a sweet deer rifle and my old Marine buddy still lugs one into the hills for his annual venison). The Krag's loading system made sense for a hunting rifle as, more often than not, the first shot did the job and heavier bullet types for shorter range could be held in reserve in the magazine if needed.

I enjoyed reading about the history. While it is important for me to refresh those facts, it is even more important to address the issue of our country's history. Today's educational systems downplay the military history of our nation, and, for the young reader, the article brings out the facts of the Spanish-American War, when the U.S. became a world power. It also brought out the basics of the both the Philippines Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion.

At a time when the Smithsonian Institute museums seem to be putting down our military history and maybe closing collections of fine arms and gear, you offered a good look at a fine rifle. Keep these kinds of articles coming! Joe Rychetnik, California

KIM IS THE NEWS!

My hat is off to NRA's Wayne LaPierre for his tell-it-as-it-is piece concerning the liberal media's unforgivable and typically nasty treatment of Kim Rhode's masterful achievement at the Atlanta Olympics (March 1997, p. 10).

Whenever the media is taken to task for this blatant manipulation of the news they arrogantly hide behind the First Amendment and piously state that they do not make the news.

While it is true that they do not make the news, it is equally true that through over-exaggeration, through omission (as in Kim Rhode's case) and sometimes through outright lies, they most certainly do mold the news to fit whatever program they have in mind.

Robert E. Mickel, New York MORE KRAG KUDOS

I thoroughly enjoyed the article on the Krag Cavalry carbine by John D. McAuley. There are probably many scholarly books dealing with small arms and their effectiveness in specific battles, but I prefer short and informative essays like McAuley's. I, and probably many more of your readers, look forward to seeing similar articles in the future, perhaps on Civil War topics.

Joseph J. Rosen, Nevada WE MUST ALLOW WOMEN

In response to D. Cynthia Julien's "Women's Voice" column (March 1997, p. 32), I absolutely agree that women must be included in the future of shooting in order for our ranks to gain the support for our Second Amendment rights that we so desperately need.

I believe women should exercise their constitutional right to own a firearm for many reasons, of which the top would be personal and home defense. There are too many women who just want to shut their eyes and ears and minds to the crime around us, and believe "it won't happen to me." It will. And what will you do to protect your life when it does happen? Not too long ago, Oprah Winfrey did a whole show on personal protection for women, and not once was owning and using a gun against an attacker mentioned as an option. Instead, they concentrated on things like screaming, using keys to poke at eyes, etc.-hogwash. Get a gun and learn to use it safely and responsibly! And that is another reason why gun clubs must allow women-they need the practice time and experience with their guns in order to be confident during an assault. Help us to become more familiar and confident with our guns.

Renee Cunningham, South Carolina

CLEANING STORY A HELP

Thanks for your extremely useful article on cleaning techniques and gadgets (March 1997, p. 26). I have been looking for precisely that sort of information and could not find an NRA book (or any other publication) on the subject. As a relative newcomer to the sport, I have found it difficult to obtain information about cleaning and disassembly techniques written in plain English. Veteran shooters have acquired this knowledge over the years through experience or word-of-mouth, but until your article, no one had written it down. Thanks for your work.

It is regrettable that the NRA cannot devote more money to technical matters, but I understand the pressing legislative problems and the need to allocate a limited budget based on priorities.

Ben Ballengee, Georgia

BEHIND THE TIMES

I was amazed at Cynthia Julien's "No Women Allowed," in the March issue. At a time when the NRA and all gun owners need support and members, these clubs that won't accept women as members are playing Russian roulette. At a time when women are, rightly, accepted almost everywhere, these clubs are 50 years behind times. To keep up these kinds of policies is a sure way for the anti-gunners to shoot us down.

Thomas Shickels, Texas

A HERO FOR TODAY

I write this while reading the article on Olympian Kim Rhode in the March 1997 American Rifleman. How many times have we heard that our heroes (or heroines) are dead? That our children have no role models to look up to? Kim Rhode and her family are people to look up to, and it was a joy to read about them. Thank God that there are individuals like her and her family. Thanks, NRA, for running their story. We need more of these types of stories about our kids. They are not all involved with drugs and gangs. Keep up the good work. We are 100% behind you.

William L. Moore, Pennsylvania