Brian Schwartz of the Independence Institute argues that a "campus gun ban is detached from reality" (Independent Ideas, Aug. 9). Mr. Schwartz's brand of "reality" is either incredibly naive or informed by a generous grant from the NRA.

He uses the specious argument that a "weapons free campus invites rapists and murderers to prey on defenseless victims." Let's take a look at this from a "realistic" perspective.

First, arming a bunch of young people (or middle aged or old people) with deadly weapons and no supervision is irresponsible.

As I recall from my Army basic training, we did the vast majority of our drills without ammunition -- even with very well trained supervisors who watched our every move. Until I got to Vietnam, the only time we saw ammunition was on the firing range. After reading Schwartz's column, I'm relieved we were not "preyed on by rapists and murderers."

Second, even after arming these college students (while we are at it, how about high schools... remember Columbine, middle schools or grammar schools), they are much more likely to shoot themselves or someone they know accidentally or intentionally than to use those weapons in self-defense.

Of the 31,000 or so gun deaths in this country every year, I doubt that few, if any, were related to self-defense.

Third, most licensed gun owners don't have the training and/or courage to face someone, particularly a psychotic someone, who is also armed. They are more likely to fire wildly with a higher potential of injuring innocent bystanders than the shoot a "rapist or murderer."

Fourth, think about 4/20 on the Norlin Quad or any Friday or Saturday night on Pearl Street. OK, now add automatic weapons.

Schwartz uses the thoroughly ridiculous analogy of banning guns from campus being equivalent to ordering people to drive without seat belts. Cars are designed as a mode of transportation, not to kill. Guns are designed to kill.

He ends by trying to pull in some progressives by saying students need to protect themselves from "gay bashers" as well as the lurking murderers and rapists, but it still is a naive and dangerous position.

I'm not sure what the answer to gun violence is -- but I am pretty certain it is not more guns.

James C. Bailey, Jr.

Boulder