CRIME: Keep ‘em guessing

It’s becoming easier to legally carry a concealed weapon in various states, which is bad news for thugs and thieves.

The Washington Times reports that 35 states now have laws that allow people to carry concealed weapons for protection under various conditions.

In 1987, the number of states totaled 10. About a quarter-million people have concealed weapons-carrying privileges in Florida.

Among the latest developments as reported by the newspaper:

A Colorado law took effect in May allowing competent people over 21 who have received firearms training to receive a concealed weapons permit.

Minnesota became the most recent state to permit concealed firearms in April, despite being historically hostile to the concept.

Missouri lawmakers are about to override a governor’s veto and reaffirm a bill passed earlier this year allowing the right to carry concealed weapons.

Alaska’s governor recently signed a bill enabling residents to carry concealed weapons without applying for a special permit. The new law also allows permit holders from other states to legally carry their weapons in Alaska.
Concealed weapons permits help keep crime rates down because they keep criminals guessing. Criminals are far less likely to attack those they believe can defend themselves, and those who attack someone with a gun can pay a heavy price.

Just last month in Pompano Beach, the son of a jewelry store owner was ready when four robbers burst into the store. He grabbed a handgun from under a counter, shot one man dead and scared away the others.

Recently, 74-year-old J.C. Adams was confronted by armed robbers in his Atlanta convenience store. As he did last year in another robbery, the Korean War veteran grabbed his 12-gauge shotgun and — using one hand to steady himself on his walker — fired, again with fatal results. This is what Adams had to say to other criminals: “Go to work and make your own money. Quit trying to take mine.”

In his 1998 book More Guns, Less Crime, Chicago Professor John R. Lott Jr. said his research over a 17-year period concluded that crime went down in states that allowed the law-abiding to carry concealed firearms.

Yet, in practically every state that has passed a concealed-carry law, including Florida, opponents have argued such rights would result in bloodier streets and Wild West-style shootouts.

That hasn’t happened.

What has happened is that more people are able to safeguard themselves against unscrupulous people who often have no regard for human life or the laws designed to protect innocent people.

Crime declined in Florida while prisons were being filled and victims were being armed.

It would be wonderful if society didn’t need concealed weapons laws, but we live in the real world, not the idealized dream world some envision.