• YOUR correspondent Nigel Armistead defeats his own argument about guns, (Firing guns as a salute is wrong, April 15).

He writes of “guns whose only purpose is to kill people” yet acknowledges another purpose, saluting the life of the Duke of Edinburgh in this case.

The purpose of guns is certainly not only to kill people. There is a number of shooting events in the Olympic Games.

A well-aimed shot might injure someone, such as in the case of police stopping a terrorist or armed criminal.

Killing an enemy in war is sometimes necessary to win a battle or safeguard one’s country, or to defeat such as Nazism or repel invaders such as in the Falkland Islands in 1982.

A warship’s “shot across the bow” is intended to bring a ship or vessel to stop or alter course.

Gun salutes originated with the Royal Navy. When fired out to sea, in sight of another ship, it was thus made clear that there was no hostile intent, being seen as a sign of trust and respect.

Over the centuries gun salutes evolved into a more formal system, such that the well-known 21-gun salute afforded to a head of state.

In HM Ships a three-pounder saluting gun is used and it fires blank cartridges, so as to produce a loud noise and smoke. Saluting the good and the great, not killing people. Ceremony, tradition and history.

Gun salutes are not childish or barbaric as Nigel Armistead claims.

LESTER MAY
Lieutenant Commander
Royal Navy – retired, NW1