Of our moral footing

Mr. Len White of Fayetteville has criticized columnist Walter Williams concerning the professor’s take on gun control. Mr. White says: “The logic necessary to conflate the regulation of products designed to transport people with products designed to injure and kill is beyond credulity.”

In my view, the logic is clear: Guns or automobiles can cause death, generally with human agency. Autos, as has been recently shown, can be used very efficiently to kill.

Williams tells us that more people were stabbed with knives than killed with shotguns and rifles in recent years, according to the FBI. Are knives made for killing?

The logic is that murders are the result of the intent of the murderers.

In closing, both Professor Williams and Mr. White refer to “moral footing.” Mr. White asks, “… could we at least have more gun regulation until we regain our moral footing, however we do it?”

He seems to gloss over Williams’ discussion of what he concluded to be “moral footing.” He says that “laws and regulations alone cannot produce a civilized society.” That “moral standards of conduct have been under siege in our country for over half a century. Moral absolutes have been abandoned as guiding principles.” Yet some say: “Pass a law for now.” FRED SAWYER

Little Rock