Evening star., 1914-11-10
DR.. L. A. WALKER DEGREES
iNEFFICIENCY OF LAW
Attention Directed by The Star to
Ease Of Purchase-Maj. Sylvestea
Advocates License.


pr. Walter read in The Sunday Star
Of how easy it is to purchase weapons
in this city. and the cartoon in vester-
days Star, he told a Star reporter. put
the affair so squarely before the people
that he thought it time some action
should be taken.
IT is an astonishing fact" he told
MS hearers at the meeting of the asso-
citation. that a man murderously in
ciined or one suffering from melan-
choila and thinking of suicide may
enter a store, pay the price ana get a
th-dealing instrument.
TT is an alarming condition of af.
fairs" he added. "and one which should
claim the attention of the District
Commissioners"
Pm glad The Star has called tha,
question to the attention of the asso.
ciation," said President Evan ii. Tuck.
er. 1T is a serious problem, and
am heartily in favor Of the association
taking some action"
Resolution Unanimously Adopted.
DR.. Walter presented a resolution
ASKING the association to request the
District Commissioners to seek legfs.
lation to remedy the deplorable con-
dition. His motion was seconded by
several members and passed without a
dissenting vote.
Discussing the question with a Sta,
reporter, DR.. Walter said it was moi
until he read The Sunday Star that he
mad the slightest idea how easy II was
to purchase pistol or other Dangerous
weapon in this city.
The mere thought that a man con-
templating murder or suicide NAV en-
ter store, put down a dollar or twe
ana walk out with a loaded revolver
said the physician, 'is revolving and
does not reflect credit upon a civilized
community.
There certainly should be soma sub-
stantiai safeguards thrown about such
sales, he said. 'and 1t might be wei
70 stop such sales entirely"
DR.. Walter said that Judge Mul.
iownys cowar remarks % appealed to him 2.
weapons. and he also agreed with Mai
Sylvester and Coronet Newt, who
were quoted upon the usbject.
Sale Prohibited in Texas.
II understand that the sale of weap.
ons in Texas is prohibited by statute
said Maj Sylvester to a Star reporter
IF 1t Is true that there is such a law
I have no information as to how 1,
has worked or of what, II any. good
it has accomplished
In a report to the District Commits.
sioners Maj. Sylvester stated that the
concealed weapon proposition Is one
that concerns every community.
And it Is made apparent every once
in WHILE" he said. that the law In
force in this Jurisdiction might be
strengthened in such n way as to place
the sales Of deadly weapons undel
closer police observation, and whereby
the purchasers and owners of suci
might be more generally and readil,
This subject was canvassed at tn.
convention of chiefs of police" the
chief Of police told the Commissioners
"and there were various expression.
advanced, on the whole the member,
being adverse to the practice Of carry.
ing firearms"
Maj. Sylvester's Report.
In his report to the Commissioners
Maj Sylvester said:
1T is proposed that the law shall
permit the granting of licenses in Ger
tain emergencies to purchase. own o.
borrow revolvers and other deadl,
weapons. but not until formal applica
tion shall be made to the assessor O
the District of Columbia, to be reporte,
upon by the department of police. IL
which the name. age and residence O
the applicant. the place and value o
his or her business be given, the pur
pose for which any such weapon is t,
! the style. pattern. caliber. max
and number of such weapon t,
be purchased or borrowed, shall b.
stated, and if already purchased o
borrowed. the date when such was OBJ
tained. and name and place of busines
| n raeidenCa nf the n
| corporation who sold or loaned sucl
| weapon, together with its pattern
style. make and number are afforded
and in addition the applicant shall
state and agree in the application tina
| he or she, during the term Of license
will not sell, loan or give away sucl
| weapon to any minor or any persol
without license in the manner provided
| and that he or she will report to tn
police department within twenty-fou
| hours after selling, ioaning or sivlnl
away such weapon the full name. ag
and residence OF the person to whom
| sold. the date and price. and if loaned
| the time and purpose Tor which loaned
| with description of weapon, and an
violation of any OF the statements
Eff the applicant complies with thes
nrovisions. license may be issued b,
The assessor of the District. II he b.
satisfied that the applicant Is dull!
qualified to possess tho onHo uaoe
these provisions.
Provisions Of Law.
| Licenses so issued should designat
the place where such weapon Is to b
kept and be exhibited when require
by the authorities.
| "On violation of the provisions of tn
application. or IL the holder be con
yicted of any ofense affecting his o
her moral turpitude, or has become
person of bad reputation. such licens
shall be revoked.
.It should be made unlawful for an
|person to give away any deadly weapor
TO be described. to any minor or to an
person not licensed to receive the same
ANY person who should loan. sell Q
give away any deadly weapon shoul
SO report to the police department
within twenty-four hours after loan
ing, selling or giving away sue
weapon, giving date. name and age q
person. the price obtained. time an
] CONTINUED on Fourteenth Pagel