Real Gun Control

So my polemic went over well - agree or disagree, you read it, and sent page views my way, suckers!
So here's another.

I am absolutely pro gun, I enjoy shooting, I think people should be allowed to own guns. But regardless of  personal feelings, stories like this from Detroit News show why we need responsible gun ownership:

From the article:

Detroit has experienced 37 percent fewer robberies in 2014 than during the same period last year, 22 percent fewer break-ins of businesses and homes, and 30 percent fewer carjackings. Craig attributed the drop to better police work and criminals being reluctant to prey on citizens who may be carrying guns.

Indirect correlation between private gun ownership and rates of robberies simply shows that the former deters the latter. And it makes sense, really. Few criminals are desperate enough to attack someone if their victim can attack back. Robberies and break-ins are crimes of opportunity. Make yourself a less enticing target, and suddenly criminals find someone else to take on. 

Many of my friends are concerned about gun violence. A recent carjacking ring was thwarted in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa with a concealed handgun. Sadly, the carjacker was a 15-year-old boy, who remains in serious condition.  Obviously we are taken aback when someone is hurt by firearms. Our heartstrings are tugged harder when the victim is a teen. 

But we must be honest. The boy is a suspect in a homicide and charged with carjacking and assault. The boy's willingness to commit violence against others consequentially puts his life at risk. If this boy had been minding his business and shot, we could imagine him the victim. But - whether from desperation or for mischief - he accepted as a consequence that violence could be turned back on him.

Ultimately, I am thankful that Victoria Davison had means to protect herself. I believe in self-defense - fleeing if you can, defending yourself if you cannot. I support her belief that her life was in serious, immediate and emergent jeopardy.

 I have no desire to see someones life be ended - I think that case-by-case adjudication is necessary to avoid rare "trigger happy" gun users. This case (Sorry, fox News) was one of the first to introduce me to Castle Doctrine.   Four shots fired after being punched in the face. But the truth is drawing and firing takes very little time - and when an assailant is engaged, a victim doesn't necessarily have time or mindfulness to simply threaten. They fire on instinct, relying on training.

Honestly, most people simply want to get on with there lives and never have to draw their gun in defense. But if they must, I am sure they are thankful, in that moment, to have it.

Police work is an excellent way of investigating and punishing crimes, but they don't offer the deterrence. They also don't offer protection - most investigate crimes after they have occurred. Sexy cases and cases that ensure reelection get preferential sentencing and prosecution. Many criminals are released without serving sentences. The threat of punishment is less and less a deterrent. But the very real threat of losing one's life still has incredible potency to control crime in concealed-carry states.