Letter: In brief

Sir: Brian Howling's logic (letter, 28 May) echoes similar letters I have seen and it amazes me that no one has pointed out the huge flaw in this argument. The "over-the-counter" sale of explosives (other than fireworks) has been banned for very many years, yet the IRA and others still produced bombs. If we follow Mr Howling's way of thinking, we must conclude that the law is inadequate and that Semtex should be freely available in the high street. The fact that criminals break the law is no reason to abandon the rule of law.

NEIL GODWIN

Bromsgrove, Worcestershire