In 2012, Chicago recorded more than 500 homicides, the only city to record that many shootings. Last year, it was around 420. As of the end of this June, it was 9 less than this time in 2013. In some of the news articles in the Independence Day tragedy, the reports said at least 14 dead and 82 injured. It started around 2:30 am on the 4th and the shootings ended on Sunday, the 6th.
But here is what I’m trying to figure out. If Chicago has been declared a “gun free safe zone”, why are the criminals still running around with guns and none of the authorities are stopping them? Instead, people in power want to take away guns from good, law abiding citizens who are trained and certified to handle these weapons.
Chicago’s Mayor asked for better policing, better education, stronger gun laws and building community when speaking about the gun violence. Better education and better policing of the criminals and gang members having the guns would be a step in the right direction. Building a better community would be another good step provided it’s done without infringing on the rights of the citizens. Stronger gun laws will only make matters worse when good people are unable to defend themselves.
Instead of addressing tougher gun laws, it would be more helpful to address tougher laws on those gang members and criminals who are breaking the law, committing violence and murder. That would be a better use of Chicago’s time and efforts, as well as the efforts of other cities around the country.
It’s amazing that the media can focus on the tragedies in schools involving guns, but when someone is threatening a school and an armed teacher or guard prevents a tragedy from happening, no one in the media covers it. The media is no longer doing their job as reporting news.
I may not have been brought up around guns, but I understand this: when well-trained people have guns to defend themselves, that is the best deterrent for criminals intent on causing harm to others. We need to bring back faith as well as using the Constitution as a defense and not throw it away. Until next time.
Christine grew up in New Jersey with 3 younger brothers. She now lives in Texas with Missy her puppy and loves to write poetry and short stories in her free time. She is an aspiring columnist and singer / songwriter and loves to spend time with friends and family who are huge part of her life.