Letter: Jonesboro shootings

HAVING studied at the University of Arkansas for three years, I strongly agreed with Rupert Cornwell's article regarding the American relationship with the gun ("The impossible dream - America without guns", 26 March).

Arkansas is a state heavily involved with hunting and gun ownership is seen as a rite of passage for many young Arkansans. Some college friends of mine asserted that they would not consider going for a long drive without a gun in the glove box, purely for self-defence, of course.

However, northern Arkansas is a friendly place where people leave their cars and homes unlocked. The shock of Tuesday's horrific shootings will have been profound, but its likely effect will be a call for changes to the Arkansas prosecution laws rather than a change in the gun laws that precipitated this tragedy.

HELEN GORMAN

Nottingham