The Washington times., 1925-09-16
Gun-Toting Americans=--
Traffic Law Leniency
for Tourists
By BILL PRICE

whom onpress assemblies we will have the annual attempt
Of the Washington police department and District Commission
get legislation that will regulate and definitely restrict
the sale of firearms in the District
There will also before Congress bills to regulate the
manufacture sale of firearms throughout the country
thereby restricting their transportation or sale through regu
iations enforceable by the Federal Government.
In the District of Columbia virtually anywhere else in
the country matter anybody walk into hard
with gum less often bought for defence than for muir
derous purposes Buying pistol other deadly weapon Is
about as easy as buying candy
be helpful would reach those crminaly bent
equppng themselves with dangerous weapons These could
country stores That of the why Congress has
so far done nothing local law making it difficult to
;watchful eyes and control Of officers of the law
drastic interstate law if constitutional would be the
surest method limiting the manufacture and sale OF fire
arms would then easy for District criminals to
purchase outside of this city.
In these days of increasing aessness the the in
evtable equipment of big and little criminals and
mails Lawabidng citizens realizing the situation confronting
AZ matter Of Thus is sustained the truthful
Of the charge of European police chiefs and law Officers
EUROPE Asia and Africa Johann shober chief
police of Vienna recently made this declaration and it has
been reiterated various forms by all European students Of
crime, law enforcement and law Observance.
Carrying concealed weapons In the District Is on the IN
crease according to Washington police officials and this
makes for increase in hootings and crime While strictly
local law win accomplish much here e IT were nation
t. keen track Of sales 81 firearms and to limit
these sales in such way to keep deadly weapons out OF
the possession Of bad men and women
The Washington Board Trade Is 70 b commended for its
action in instructing officers to ask The District Commits
oners give lenet consideration 70 tourists in the
forcement of District traffic laws
Americans to the extent Of many thousands come Wash
ington every year in their cars The vast majority OF them
are decent citizens who do everything possible to refrain
from violating err traffic The best they do, without
knowing the Of regulations prevailing here, is to
common and their general knowledge Of traffic regula
tons There is unfOrtunstsy no uniformity Of fundamental
traffic in this country That viii some day be brought
abeut 49, ~.t*.
Strangers city should therefore be treated with
lenencv in the nracion Of local laws and regulations unless
they are of serious nature We want Americans to know
and understand that Washington their city and welcomes
them Our tourists camps models for other cities and
the charges low to be surprising It will not be
difficult for traffic policemen to show leniency to tourists
Most of them already do and out Of their to be
courteous and helpful to strangers The Commissioners have
received many letters from strangers commencing Washing
ton traffic officers for their kindnesses.
Washington has good name among motorists of the
United States We should continue to encourage tourists
to +