Imwin Tl. Pern, M.D.

2231 TAYLOR ROAD
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44112

MULBERRY 1-1100

July 10, 19°70

Joshua Lederberg, Professor of Genetics
and Biology

Department of Genetics

Stanford University

Stanford, California 94405

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

I was most impressed by your Adolf Meyer Lecture at the
American Psychiatric Association meeting in San Francisco and was
struck by your focus on the problem of hand guns as a prototype problem
with which our society must deal. As I recall, you ended your talk with
particular reference to this issue which was of particular concern to
me and to those of us in the Ohio Psychiatric Association who have pushed
for some action by the parent organization.

A resolution on gun control by Ohio at the Assembly meetings
in November, 1969 was narrowly defeated. This same resolution was again
introduced this year, and a letter pertaining to this, embodying the
resolution was published in the April, 1970 Psychiatric News (see enclosed).
On May 10th this resolution, sponsored by the Ohio and Michigan delega-
tions, was introduced under the title of a "Resolution on Homicide Pre-
vention", reflecting our feeling that this more accurately indicated our
intent. After spirited debate, this resolution passed by about a 62%
majority and will go to our Board of Trustees for further action.

I thought that you would be interested in this step by the
A.P.A. Assembly as the subject was quite controversial and criticized
on a number of grounds - from those who opposed the resolution on grounds
of belief to those who felt the results of such actions, if put into
effect, would be meaningless to those who felt that a stand on such an
issue was inappropriate to a professional medical organization.

I was curious as to your own feelings on the subject and why
you chose this particular issue to emphasize in your lecture. If you
can spare the time, I would appreciate any comments that you might have
on the subject matter of the enclosed copy or this letter.

Yourg truly,

Mba 12

INP :mw Irwin N. Perr, M.D., J.D.
Delegate, Ohio Psychiatric
Association to Assembly, A.P.A.