Saving Lives
I must admit that the latest Washington extortion deal with Smith & Wesson (Cities give weapons maker sweet deal," March 19) does make me feel safer.

Now that Smith & Wesson has been given preference over non-child-lock handgun makers, I hope that the police purchase a lot of these weapons. Image the positive effects of the "cooling off period" that will occur before an officer draws his weapon. For those first 10 or 15 crucial seconds during which the officers will be fumbling for their keys to unlock the trigger lock mechanism, they will be given a chance to think about what he or she is doing.

This may have saved the lives of more than a few innocent unarmed citizens.

Bruce Acker
Chatsworth