European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 17, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                To move guns Clarence Page Ike other Middle class chicagoan Anvil a Burton was shocked by the news that seven bodies had been found in the Kitchen of a Chicken and pasta restaurant  numbers it was the equivalent of Chicago a legendary St. Valentines Day massacre. But this time it was in Palatine one of the suburbs to which chicagoan have fled in great numbers to escape Urban violence and two of the victims were teen agers. So Arwilda Burton was shocked like other Middle class chicagoan but she says she also Felt the twinges of an additional emotion a empathy. I tin do stand what the children of that Community Are going  Burton a social worker counsels children at the Jenner elementary school which services Chicago a crime plagued Cabrini Green Public housing com plex about 20 Miles and a world away from Palatine. Cabrini Green made National news last year when Dantrell Davis became its third child Iii 1992 to be fatally shot in sniper Cross fire. While teams of social workers psychologists and other grief Counselor descended on Palatine High school which the two slain teens attended Burton Quot helps Grade school children at Jenner school Deal with similar shocks every week. V a they Are not children As i used to know children a says Burton. A they Are not  the equivalent of the St. Valentines Day massacre is happening in Chicago every couple of Days in one neighbourhood or another. The residents of High crime neighbourhoods never get used to violence that chums All around them. But the rest of us seem to get a Little too easily accustomed to hearing about or for that matter to caring about it. It is hard to comprehend the massive numbers of handgun related deaths in America 22,000 Ameri cans Over the last two years alone. But a glimpse into the world of Arwilda Burton should cause us to Stop for a moment to consider a horrible new development the appearance and growth of Young chit Dren on the list of casualties. Its a nationwide tragedy. Los Angeles King Drew medical Center for example which had not admitted a single child under 10 years of age for gunshot wounds before 1980, admitted 34 Between 1980 and 1987. What can we do about it we might not be Able to Stop All such violence but we can at least close gaping holes in the Laws that control the Sale and distribution of guns in America where the homicide rate dwarfs that of the rest of the industrialized a and civilized a world. The National Rifle association which never saw a gun control Law it liked argues that we done to need new gun control Laws. Instead it says we need Only to enforce existing Laws with tougher sentences for anyone who uses a gun to break the Law. But the blame the users approach is a cop out. Existing Laws leave gaping loopholes for gun makers dealers and distributors to make a killing figuratively and literally by making and Selling guns to unlawful or irresponsible people. In a the Story of a gun a an Cyc opening examination of today s gun Trade in the january Atlantic. Magazine writer Erik Larson describes How a a non of my business attitude permeates the firearms distribution Chain from production to final Sale Al lowing gun makers and gun marketeers to promote the. Killing Power of their weapons while disavowing any responsibility for their use in  Larson who says he docs not oppose guns not even handguns in the hands of responsible owners describes How mass killers Tike Nicholas Elliot 16, who shot up Atlantic shores Christian school in Virginia Beach va., in 1988, acquired their weapons through federally licensed dealers. They used a Means a that existing Federal gun Trade regulations do much to  happens when lawmakers try to impose even the slightest impediment on the gun flow the Era goes Well ballistic unleashing massive amounts of Campaign donations then calling in the ious stopping Reform in its tracks. Virginia gov. Doug Wilder whose state May be the biggest single supplier of guns trafficked up and Down the Eastern Seaboard has proposed limiting gun purchases to one per month per individual. Its a modest proposal yet the Era vows to fight it. Wilder a Veteran of Many legislative Battles expects a the biggest fight in be Ever encountered.�?�. Amazing. Sometimes i wonder How those who knowingly Supply heavy weapons and silencers to kids gangsters and crackpots manage to sleep with themselves at night but 1 wonder even More How the rest of us can sleep with ourselves at night knowing that we could put a Pinch on the traffic yet we do nothing. Apathy is killing us. Atit Chicago Tribune seeking alternatives after United Way went the wrong Way Andy Rooney t i he ultimate game is Money. The rules Are simple someone else has Money and you try to get it away from them. The second half of the game is played the other Way around you have Money and someone tries to get it away from you. One of the most effective ways to get others Money is by asking them to please give you some. It seems silly but its so simple but it works surprisingly Well. Last year americans gave away $122 billion to Charity. In an average week i get 10 requests for donations to Good causes a not to mention requests from causes that Arentt so Good. In a Seldom sure which organization is honest and which is in the rip off business. The people who run dishonest charities Are among the most despicable on Earth. Id rather be held up at gunpoint than give to a phony Charity. The Charity thieves Hurt the millions of people who depend on legitimate charitable organizations because hearing of the bad ones we re reluctant to give to the worthy ones because we Arentt sure. In a uncomfortable right now because i am not giving this year to the United Way. I have a letter from my local United Way chairman i done to know him but id guess he a a Good Public spirited citizen trying to do the right thing. Quot we want you to feel Good about your gift a the chairman says in his letter. That a exactly Why i am not giving. I would not feel Good about it this year. We Are instead giving to specific organizations directly. That makes me feel better. Something went seriously wrong with the United Way. Its National president William Armony ended up with More of my Money for his personal pleasure than he should have. He was fired but too Many things about his regime at United Way remain unexplained. I know its unfair of me to blame All of the United Way organizations for the sins of one Man but you have to fight it where you find it. I done to get to talk to the chef so if i get a bad meal in a restaurant i give an innocent waiter a hard time and Trust my message will  to the person responsible. Every organization that asks us to give Money ought to be compelled by Law to say in every letter it sends out asking for Money How much of what they get goes to Charity and How much they keep. It  be much. Tribune Media services a Andy Rooney is a Lornor stars and stripes reporter. A january 17, 1993 sunday a a Page 9