In the March 14 Deseret News, there appeared an article titled, "Small 'pocket-rocket' pistols are a boon for criminals." The author of the editorial quotes David Kairys, a professor and "researcher" on gun violence, who claims that compact pistols like the ones mentioned in the editorial "have more killing power per ounce, per bullet, per buck, than any other gun."
Mr. Kairys' remarks are blatantly untrue. Anyone who is familiar with ballistics (the study of bullet velocity, trajectory, etc.) knows that a short-barreled firearm, whether it be a handgun, rifle or shotgun, is less efficient than one with a longer barrel. Projectiles fired from such short-barreled guns lose velocity and muzzle energy. For example, a 230 grain .45-caliber bullet fired from a 5-inch barrel will travel about 850 feet per second. A bullet of the same weight fired from a 3-inch barrel travels a slower 773 feet per second. That means the bullet moves slower and has less striking force.A compact 9mm pistol, such as the Smith and Wesson "Chiefs Special" actually holds only seven rounds in its shorter gripstock, whereas a full-sized 9mm pistol may have a magazine capacity of 15 rounds or more. By going to a compact pistol, you gain in concealability but lose both power and magazine capacity.
These compact guns are used not only by legally armed citizens, but also by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Complete with the silly "pocket rocket" cliche, this editorial is typical of the distorted information the biased media publishes to adversely influence public opinion where firearms issues are concerned.
Tom Vagenas Jr.
Bountiful