Re Aug. 23 letter by Beryl Andrews, “Some guns fine, but let’s ban automatic weapons”

Most people confuse semi-auto, or self-loading, weapons with full automatic or machine guns or sub-machine guns. That is not the case. Full-auto guns that are owned legally must be purchased with a federal permit called a Class III permit both for the dealer and the buyer. These permits are expensive and not widely owned.

The guns used in these front page horrible crimes are for the most part purchased legally, but are not Class III, full-auto weapons. These purchases over the counter must also be approved by the federal government.

To my knowledge there has never been a crime committed with a full-auto loading weapon by a holder of a legal, Class III weapons license. In effect, Ms. Adams, there is nothing to ban.

The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.