LETTERS: Microstamping pros and cons, test elimination

Microstamping is target of debate

"Microstamping fails to target illegal guns" [Letters, June 22] made me realize how tired I am of the gun lobby (in whatever form) fighting microstamping. I have no issue with the Second Amendment - everyone should be able to legally carry a musket. But if two things happen, microstamping will prove to be a valuable aid in fighting gun crime. First, all guns should be equipped with this feature. Eventually, even the guns bought illegally will have it. Second, this feature should be designed and implemented so that any attempt to disable it renders the firearm useless.

Why are all the gun "advocates" so against what has to be the most logical and safe proposition? If they are using the guns legally, then there's no problem. If they are using the gun illegally, they have a problem because the public (which is more than tired of all the gun violence) will have another tool in a very important arsenal to fight rampant gun crime.

Robert Feinstein

Hicksville

To dispute injured police officer Steven McDonald, who was shot in the line of duty, puts one in a very precarious position ["GOP state senators should get tougher on crime," Opinion, June 18]. I believe this was Newsday's intention - to garner sympathy for a fallen hero, thus stymieing any rebuttal. Anyway, here goes.

Microstamping technology is unproven and can be circumvented in myriad ways. It would cost the law-abiding gun owner far more than the $12 per gun quoted by supporters, while the criminal would pay nothing.

McDonald states that local police departments are pro- microstamping. As a member of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America and the American Federation of Police, I can state that both organizations are against microstamping. They represent rank-and-file police officers.

How would microstamping have prevented McDonald from being shot? Sadly, it would not have.

Robert E. McMahon

Mastic Beach

Quizzical reaction to tests' elimination

Newsday reports fierce opposition by social studies teachers to the elimination of the fifth- and eighth-grade social studies tests to save an estimated $800,000 during the next school year ["Regents exams cutbacks likely," News, June 22].

Gloria Sesso, social studies director in Patchogue Medford and co-president of the Long Island Council for the Social Studies, was quoted as saying, "If you're not tested, you're not taught."

Say it isn't so! Here is an opportunity to free teachers from the tyranny of "teaching to the test" and engage in more meaningful teaching and learning experiences and it is being met with strenuous objection.

Victor Caliman

South Huntington

Editor's note: The writer is an adjunct professor of education at Adelphi University.