THE EDITOR, Sir:
THERE IS no doubt that the typical American doctrine that "guns don't kill people, people kill people" has led to the proliferation of firearms; and there is no doubt that the proliferation of firearms has led to a significant increase in civilian violence throughout the world.
It has been documented that gun violence accounts for the staggering death toll of approximately 1,000 people throughout the world every day, while about 3,000 are left wounded.
One would have thought that this staggering incidence of gun-related violence would have been a wake-up call for all gun lobbyists, gun manufacturers, and governments in industrialised countries.
But instead of trying to curtail the worldwide spread of guns, the U.S. Government, along with its gun manufacturers, and the National Rifle Association in America, are defiantly opposed to any form of arms control.
In view of this powerful opposition, the United Nations (U.N.) is fighting a losing battle in its efforts to stem the flow of handguns throughout the world. On July 7, the U.N. conference to restrict the illegal gun trade ended in total failure. This failure was mainly attributed to the defiance of the U.S. It is to be noted that the U.S. vehemently opposed any further U.N. discussion on the matter of gun control.
Due to the proliferation of handguns and the absence of controls in the U.S., thousands of illegal firearms are finding their way into the island of Jamaica. This trafficking of lethal weapons from the U.S. is taking a heavy death toll on many Jamaicans, especially in the island's capital, Kingston.
I am, etc.,
RUPERT JOHNSON
r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
