The Director's Desk: Have a little faith

Commenters aside, LJS can jump to conclusions too, without any evidence. In fact, they seldom provide any of the details or answer any of the questions a normal reader would contemplate.

As for the idea of bank robberies being a bad choice; Lincoln, in particular, seems to have been enjoying a nice trend of catching bank robbers, and that may be true nationwide. However, at some distant point in the past, I seem to recall the clearance rate was rather poor, perhaps less than 50%. I would imagine technology has had a lot to do with the change; security cameras, die packs, alarm systems, and procedural practices in general. Too bad we don't enjoy the same advantages with home burglaries, car thefts, and muggings, to name a few. Also, too bad we don't keep the ones we catch in jail so they don't go out and repeat their crimes. That is probably the one thing we could do to keep the crime rate down; stop letting them out!

Will They Ever Figure It Out?

I know that most anti-gunners have good in their hearts.  They just want to have a world where they can live in peace and not always be fearful for their own safety or that of their families and friends.  I get that.  It is an admirable and natural thing to desire.  Why can't they understand that taking away my guns is not going to make their world any safer or more peaceful?

Sure, if they could magically make all guns, world wide, disappear, along with the ability of anyone to make more, they would be happy; or would they?  Would the world suddenly become a peaceful place?  Would clubs, knives, poison, bombs, chemicals, bio-weapons, spears, brass knuckles, machetes, swords, ropes, electricity, all blunt objects, and bare hands also disappear?

Unfortunately, humans are prone to violent behavior, and they will find a way to commit violent acts.  If guns were somehow gone, they might find even more effective ways to kill.  But, we don't really have to worry about that, because guns are not going to disappear.  It's not inconceivable that they could be banned for private ownership, but that ban would only keep them out of the hands of the citizens who have respect for the law and are morally and mentally in tune with society in general.  The criminals and the insane and the evil people would still have them, or find a way to get them, and the rest of us would be helpless against them.  It would almost certainly make the U.S. less safe and peaceful than it is now.

Instead of calling us names, decrying us as violent, uncaring, or seeking substitutes for something we are lacking, maybe the anti-gunners should help us keep guns out of the wrong hands, those who would use them for evil purposes.  In turn, we could help maintain the peace and security they desire.  After all, we, the law-abiding gun owners, want to stop mass killings such as Newton and Columbine just as much as they do.  Most of us don't mind registration, background checks, waiting periods, and other reasonable restrictions that might reduce the carnage when someone with ill intentions gets the notion to do something terrible.  That is, as long as we are secure in knowing these things are not just one more step in taking guns away completely.