In reference to Dr. Eric Steele column of June 2: Dr. Steele, like a few in his profession, believes that successful completion of a rigorous course of study required to become a physician qualifies them as experts in a variety of unrelated subjects. It seems that among the subjects not covered in medical school is math. “Math of mayhem works like this” is silly. Even as a devide used to make a point it is silly. According to Dr. Steele’s math, the presence of a gun in the house increases the probability that an occupant of the house will be murdered.

Try this math of mayhem: Maine has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the country and one of the lowest murder rates. New York and Washington, D.C., have the toughest gun laws in the country and the highest gun-related murder rates. This flies in the face of Dr. Steele’s assertion that gun control works. It works only to remove guns from law-abiding citizens exercizing their Second Amendment rights.

Years ago, I asked my flight instructor who were the hardest students to teach. He said engineers were difficult because whatever you tell them to do they have to know why, but doctors are the worst because when they come in here they think they already know how to fly. Dick Berry East Orland