Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-12

Although passage Of adequate weapon
laws for the District of Columbia Is
confidently anticipated In the next ses-
sion of Congress, internal dissension
exists In anti-firearms ranks identical
to that which last year stymied proposed
legislative action and left the District
in its present unrestricted status for
another year, investigation Of the pres
ent situation has revealed.
Proponents of the so-called uniform
law" backed by the National Rifle As
ISOLATION, and Of the bill formulated
by the District corporation counsels
office are again adamant in their sup
port Of their respective measures, 1t
was learned, although the same con-
flict brought the public demand for
legislation to a dead end last year.
Reckord Cites Alterations.
Brig. Gen. M. A. Reckord, executive
vice president of the National Rifle
Association. recently told the Board OF
Trade that the uniform pistol law
which his organization proposes, was
so marred by the alterations effected
to put it in the shape which the cor
poration counsel now advocates that
we were forced to withdraw our APP
prevail and oppose it in the Senate
after the bill had passed the House OF
Representatives Subsequently the
measure quietly expired in Senate
Committee.
Branding as foolish and ridiculous
the amendments made to the uniform
law, Gen. Reckord urges the public to
stand Fundamentally behind the orig
inal bill when 1t Is reintroduced In
Congress this year. Meanwhile, Thomas
F. Cameron, assistant corporation
counsel, who drafted that oftices bill
and made the amendments opposed,
insists that the altered bill Is the only
one which possibly can give the District
relief from its present dilemma in re-
gard to crimes Of violence, possession
of dangerous weapons and the other
recognized evils which weapon legisla-
ton intends to adjust.
Crosby Favors Measure.
Police Commissioner Herbert Crosby
Endorsed the uniform law at the Board
of Trade session earlier this week. urg-
ing the public to support 1t as meas
ure which is both practical and avail
able. II additions or amendments are
needed, he pointed out, 1t will be pos
sible to obtain them later.
There are three major differences,
and a number Of minor ones, which
divide the firearms forces.
The uniform bill chiefly restricts the
corporation counsel's proposal regulates
the sale, transportation and use Of all
dangerous weapons. Backers Of the
first measure assert blackjacks, sling
shots, billies, long knives, ETC., should
not be permitted for any one under any
circumstances. Neither should machine
guns. Cameron asserts, however, these
articles should come under the same
rule applied to pistols.
Police Regulations Asked.
The uniform bill would regulate prin-
cipally the transportation Of pistols,
while the corporation counsel's office
proposes to restrict both the sale and
carrying Of dangerous weapons. The
National Rife Association heads assert
the dealer In firearms should be re-
quired, under penalty Of having his
license revoked, not to sell to any in
dividual not known to him. or def
nitely identified. The corporation
counsels opinion Is that a potential
gun owner should be compelled to send
an application to the police, who may
then check up on him, make certain
of his background and ascertain that
he has no criminal record, before grant
ing permission for the sale.