More guns will not solve the problem of violence
That someone would contend that the answer to gun violence such as the recent tragedy at Kirkwood City Hall is more guns rather than less is as predictable as that night will follow day. But, let’s take a closer look at the situation. On that fateful evening there were three individuals who were armed and approximately 35 who were not. All three of the men carrying weapons are dead as are three who were unarmed. The first person to die that night was an experienced, highly trained police officer. As it turns out, the only way he could have survived would have been for him to shoot Mr. Thornton, without provocation, as he approached! Mr. Thornton then took that officer’s gun, so, now he had two guns as he entered the Council Chambers! Once inside, he again targeted the armed police officer. Had the approximately 35 individuals then pulled their guns and begun firing, someone might have disabled Mr. Thornton before he could have killed all of the three other victims, but, how many innocent people would have been killed or wounded in the hail of bullets from the guns of 35 basically untrained and unskilled shooters? Has this country sunken to the level where everyone must carry a gun for personal protection? If so, how long will it be before disputes are again settled at the OK Corral? Since the letter writer seems to think that taking away the concealed-carry permit is sufficient punishment for those who use their guns illegally, I certainly hope that Mr. Thornton’s permit has been rescinded!
William Klopfenstein
Edwardsville
Here are some points from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. We all remember James Brady, right? He and President Reagan were surrounded by guys with guns when they were shot.
“The number of crime victims who successfully use firearms to defend themselves is quite small. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports and the Centers for Disease Control, out of 29,569 Americans who died by gunfire in 2004, only 229 were shot in justifiable homicides by private citizens with firearms.
“The gun lobby claims that only law-abiding citizens end up with CCW permits. However, an August 2000 study revealed that, from January 1996 through April 2000, the arrest rate for weapons-related offenses among Texas CCW license-holders was 66% higher than that of the general adult population of Texas. Concealed-carry license-holders are committing crimes, including murder, rape, assault and burglary. However, because in most states the gun lobby has made it difficult if not impossible for the public to determine if a shooter has a CCW license, the full story has not yet been told.
“Law-abiding citizens with the best intentions underestimate how hard it is to successfully use a gun for self-defense. Even highly-trained police officers lose control of their handguns; in 2003, one-fifth of law enforcement officers who were killed by gunfire in the line of duty (10 officers) were killed by an adversary using the officer’s own service weapon (or that of their partner). Police officers know that the very sight of a gun can escalate a situation, so that instead of simply losing your wallet, you can lose your life. That’s why almost every major law enforcement organization – including the International Brotherhood of Police Officers and the International Association of Chiefs of Police – opposes the weakening of CCW laws.
“An armed society is an at-risk society. Many permit holders have been stripped of their permits for criminal behavior, and even law-abiding people get angry, drunk, careless or confused, make mistakes, and escalate minor arguments into deadly gun-play.”
#1 Even had Il. past CCW the result would have been the same because a person can not carry on campus.
Franny, if you worry about hiding from the one out of a million, you are doomed to a life cowering in fear. If you want government and laws of man to protect you from every danger in life, you will never reap the joys of living in a free country. Prior restraint is neither practical nor just.
He who would trade freedom for security will have neither…. Can’t recall offhand who I am paraphrasing there.
Post #23-
Actually, it is not a “crime” to carry a weapon with a ccw endorsement into those venues.
The law states that it shall not be a criminal act but may subject the person to denial of
the premises or removal from the premises.
Please read-What I’m saying is this; in a gun fight , due to tunnel vision, stress, movement, adrenalin rush, etc. at least 30% of multiple shots will miss. In a room full of armed people firing at once, even at a common target, where are those misses going to hit? I am not against gun ownership (I have 4) I just don’t think everyone going around packin’ in a crowded room is such a great idea. If for no other reason than you won’t suffer any remorse or incarceration from hitting an innocent person. To answer your question, I would imagine that some peoples defensive driving skills DO go out the window in dangerous situations….that’s why they hit each other BY ACCIDENT. Everyone has a limit to their skills.
#31 Mr. Walsh… Now that you have the position of the Brady Campaign, how about going to NRA.org and get the opposite view. You have every right to form your opinion about firearms ownership. So do I.
Your figures on self defense homicides conveniently ignore the cases that did not result in death. As in my daughter’s case, the firearm was not fired, but its presence alone enabled her to defend her self and her roommate.
These arguments have been hashed out for generations. The bottom line is my opinion does not arbitrarily restrict your freedom. Your opinion assumes I am too evil, ignorant, or careless to own and use an implement that my family has made productive use of for many generations.
Bb, that was Ben Franklin.
I would challenge Mr. Klopfenstein to read a few issues of the NRA monthly magazine. He might be surprised at the number of incidents involving CCW permitee’s where either the crime had be stopped or life protected. To my knowledge of the 40 some states permitting their citizens to carry a weapon not one single case of misuse of the privilege has been reported. I’d like to see the same people who criticize the right to carry get equally steamed about the slaughter on our highways from good people who think signaling is a sign of weakness and pull one bone head driving infraction after another resulting in more fatalities than legally owned guns by responsible citizens. Where is the hue and cry!!
Ed Jamison
Slam, If you found yourself in a situation such as the Kirkwood incident, would you rather there be no chance of someone confronting the shooter, or for there to be that option available.
I don’t know the time line, but had the police not arrived when they did, would Thornton been able to systematically eliminate the rest of the people present? If that is the case, I would take my chances with an undertrained citizen throwing some lead in the direction of the shooter.
Thanks, Fish. Everyone have a safe and pleasant weekend. Lets hope no more maniacs decide to destroy the lives of their own and many other families by playing out their XBox fantasy in real life.