STATISTICS ON GUN OWNERSHIP IN THE U.S.A. ARE FIRST PRESENTED. ATTITUDES OF GUN OWNERS, HUNTERS, AND NON-OWNERS ARE THEN BRIEFLY EXAMINED. IT IS NOTED THAT WEAPONS SUCH AS RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS MAY SERVE LEGITIMATE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC; HOWEVER, PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS ARE USED MAINLY FOR PROTECTION AND/OR AGGRESSION. THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT IN REALITY, HANDGUNS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AGAINST CRIME. MORE OFTEN, THE WEAPONS ARE STOLEN BY THE CRIMINAL, USED AGAINST THE HANDGUN OWNER, OR INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATHS. THE USE OF HANDGUNS IN HOMICIDES AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT IS DISCUSSED, AND IT IS NOTED THAT MURDER AND GUN DEATH RATES ARE HIGHEST IN THE SOUTH WHERE GUN OWNERSHIP IS HIGHEST. FINALLY, THE AUTHOR EXAMINES GUN CONTROL OPTIONS AND URGES CITIZENS TO INFORM THEIR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS OF THEIR VIEWS OF GUN CONTROL.