More guns, less crime
Dear Editor:
“What will it take?” I can understand the need to put blame somewhere. But where?
Modern philosophy does not allow placing the blame on the perpetrator, particularly if he is young, and akin to the Noble Savage, a good person. When born, his mind was like a Blank Slate - without evil. Thus, it must be society’s fault! Society corrupted him. But just how should society deal with the problem when all people are basically good? Remove their means to do evil? Take their guns? Take knives, baseball bats? Our freedoms? However, there are other facets to consider.
First, there are gun-free zone laws. For the validity of this, we need to check our own experiences. Do we see people exceeding the speed limit or running stop lights? Of course we do. So why should any person with life’s experiences expect that gun-free zone laws will be obeyed by every soul, even the ones damaged by society?
In reality gun-free zone signs are advertisements to those bent on revenge against society. Those signs proclaim, “Here We Are! We Are Not Armed! We Are Defenseless! Come Shoot Us!” This 1995 law was enacted during the Clinton Administration. It encourages disaster after disaster. It is trusted and a colossal failure!
Second, there is Instant Check. In 2012, during Obama’s Administration, Instant Check generated more than 72,000 denials of gun sales. However, of these 72,000, there were only 62 referred for prosecution and only 25 pled guilty or were awaiting trial. Government failed without media notice!
Third, American Civil Liberties Union lawsuits and consequential legislation significantly reduced society’s control of the mentally disturbed. Anti-depressants have disturbing side effects. Thus, society’s law, legislation pharmaceuticals and the FDA have failed, with little notice!
However, we can, with open minds, examine the history of gun control. Cities with the most restrictive gun laws have the highest murder and violent crime rates. States are relaxing gun laws because more guns, on average, reduce violent crime. Strangely, states with the best ratings from the gun control groups’ rationales have the highest murder rates and the states with the lowest ratings from those groups have the lowest murder rates. Really? Criminologist John Lott’s book “More Guns, Less Crime” has real history and statistics. Carry permits reduce crime!
Gun control philosophy fails miserably. “What will it take?” Don’t deny human nature. Embrace reality, not dangerous illusions or simplistic myths.
Eric K. Pritchard
Berkeley Springs
