MR. GERALD GARDINER argues that it would be more sensible
if, instead of every- one concentrating the hue and cry after murderers, we tried to reduce the number of murders by limiting the availability of firearms. Agreed: the law appears to be laxly enforced. But I am not sure that Mr. Gardiner's proposed method of enforce- ment—he has suggested in The Times that an amnesty should be offered to anybody who unlawfully possesses firearms pro- vided he hands them in before a certain date; but after it, he should be sentenced to five years' imprisonment for keeping them unlawfully—would be satisfactory. Revolvers are too easily 'planted': it would be far too simple, if such a law were passed, to frame innocent men. In any case, in- creasing the length of terms of imprison- ment is not the answer to crimes of violence. It seems sensible only until one realises that a criminal faced with a long sentence, if he is caught, is more likely to wound and pos- sibly to kill people in order to escape arrest.
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