Taking Exception: Punishing criminals just isn't enough to prevent handgun violence REBECCA THOMAN In her recent Viewpoint column, Sen. Pat Pariseau defends the new conceal-carry law because it imposes sanctions on those who misuse weapons ("The sky didn't fall," April 29). Punishing criminals, she believes, is the best means to reduce gun violence. So she calls for tougher sentencing for violent felons. While I agree that violent felons should be prosecuted, punishing criminals is not enough because gun violence is seldom related to crime. Rather, it results from ready access to lethal weapons during times of anger, despair and conflict....