Home Mobile Archives Reader Blogs Register Login

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Crime Wave Continues In Chicago, Mayor Daley Blames Gun Companies

Because we all know criminals wouldn’t commit crimes in Chicago if they didn’t have guns.

CHICAGO (AP) — Police planned to increase patrols and put SWAT officers and specialized units on the streets over the weekend, a show of force aimed at deterring violence like the three dozen shootings that left nine people dead last weekend.

“Weather permitting, we will have our helicopter up,” said police spokeswoman Monique Bond, who said Thursday night was relatively quiet, with only four shootings, none fatal. . . .

On Friday, Mayor Richard Daley took the unusual step of calling together more than two dozen officials from the police department, schools, social service agencies and religious groups for a City Hall summit on the violence. Afterward, he said it was just the start of a continuing dialogue about how to combat violent crime.

A fired-up Daley blasted the gun industry and called on parents and adults to do their part by intervening to help troubled youth and by working to keep others on the right path.

As I’ve explained before, blaming crimes on guns is a convenient scapegoat for public officials (both law enforcement and political alike) who are under fire for rising crime rates.  Just like public school officials endlessly blaming a lack of funding for their inadequate performance, law enforcement officials and politicians are quick to lay the blame for crimes at the feet of the gun industry.  Because that explanation sounds plausible to the public, is something the liberal media wants to report anyway and targets a group of people (gun companies) that don’t exactly paint a very sympathetic picture.

But the truth of the matter in this case is that Chicago already has one of the most stringent set of gun control laws in the nation.  Handguns are banned in the city, assault rifles are banned in Cook County in general and all other firearms have to be registered with police departments.  In order to purchase any non-hand, non-assault firearm (and/or the ammo to go with it) one must obtain a Firearm Owner’s Identification card (FOID) from the Illinois State Police. 

That none of this gun control is working (it never works wherever it’s tried) is hardly the fault of gun manufacturers.  If anything, it’s Chicago’s inability to enforce its own laws that is to blame.

To be perfectly honest, if Mayor Daley wants to find a real culprit for this wave of crime perhaps he need to look no further than this:

Illinois is one of two remaining states that have no provision for the concealed carry of firearms by citizens. Open carry is also illegal, except when hunting.

Perhaps if the state of Illinois, and the City of Chicago, would let citizens better arm themselves they wouldn’t be so likely to be victims to criminals.

Comments

Just like in England, they ban guns, crime gets worse and they’re left with no explanation.

How come we in North Dakota have about a zillion guns and low crime?


The Debate is over!  Global Whining has been confirmed.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on April 26, 2008 at 07:47 am

Being only one of 2 states that doesn’t have concealed handgun permits should be a clue to Illinois/Chicago that they just may be going in the wrong direction with their extreme gun control policies.  However as has been noted before…


Being liberal is never having to admit you’re wrong

docdave on April 26, 2008 at 09:09 am

I think I read that most of the crime and gang violence is taking place in Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods… Barack Obama’s home turf.  Coincidence?


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on April 26, 2008 at 09:38 am

Coincidence?  No Obama’s part of the same corrupt system that creates dependence and poverty.


The Debate is over!  Global Whining has been confirmed.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on April 26, 2008 at 09:52 am
Avatar for John E Ritenour

Hmm...Chicago’s problems couldn’t be the result of failed policies and ineffective leadership...I live in Florida, where we have “many, many many guns”, “to quote the guy in the Police Story movies”, and yet we have low crime and are safe inside our homes and even our cars (you can use deadly force to repel a carjacking if you are in the car). Hmm mention the word “gun” in Chicago and throught police are all over you...In another victory for big city politics, be careful on your wedding day in New York City, and don’t run afoul of trigger happy policeman.

John E Ritenour on April 26, 2008 at 12:18 pm

Daley is and has been pushing for the state to legislate even more useless laws. More laws and restrictions will not change the actions of criminals, and only serve to penalize lawful owners.


If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.

hvywgt on April 26, 2008 at 07:43 pm
Avatar for Lou

There are over 20,000 anti-gun laws on the books now and they obviously are not working.  I won’t repeat the definition of insanity but you get the picture.

It’s time to admit the Daley way isn’t working and to join the other 48 states that allow honest law-abiding citizens the basic right of self defense.  Heck, maybe people would move back into Chicago and Cook County.

Lou on April 27, 2008 at 02:48 pm
Page 1 of 1        

Post a Comment


Before commenting, please recite:

Grant me the serenity to ignore the trolls,
the courage to debate with honest opponents,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Name   
Email   
URL   
Human?
  
 

Upload Image    

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Note: Notifications will only be sent to confirmed email addresses.