Gun-Free Zones Kill Again!

Once again, a bad guy has proven the absolute folly of "gun-free" zones such as schools, churches, federal buildings, and court houses. Today, the "gun-free" zone was an LDS (Mormon) chapel near Fresno, California.

Like far too many churches, the LDS Church bans firearms in its chapels (I assume that President Monson's bodyguards comply with that ban). The State of California, where this shooting occurred, is well-known for being excessively restrictive on firearms in the hands of responsible people. Unfortunately, like all restrictions on law-abiding people, this ban does not affect criminal behavior -- it only leaves responsible people defenseless. I cannot understand why creators of "gun-free" zones don't understand that simple concept. Both churches and governments need to prayerfully and rationally reconsider their restrictions on the right of good people to defend themselves.

A while back, I asked the greeters in my congregation what they'd do if there were a security problem such as somebody coming into the building with a gun. (It seemed natural to assume that they'd be the first line of defense.) They responded only with a deer-in-the-headlights look. It seems nobody in the congregation (possibly the Church in general) has thought about security other than locking the doors at night and depriving the good people of the right to self-defense.

The courts, including the US Supreme Court, have repeatedly ruled that the police have no obligation to protect individuals or even groups. In fact, it is not reasonable or wise to expect them to do so. Violent crimes are typically over long before police have a chance to respond as was the case in today's tragedy. All the cops can do is collect evidence and maybe find the attacker. Additionally, we don't want a nation where police are so prevalent that they can stop all crime before it happens.

One of our most basic human rights is our right to protect ourselves and our families from harm. "Gun-free" zones (ie military installations, most schools, most churches, federal buildings, many businesses, and even court houses) by definition deprive law-abiding citizens of the most effective means of self-protection -- a gun. These disarmed potential victims are left completely vulnerable to attack by those who, by definition, disobey laws such as gun bans.

Experience and reason clearly indicate that "gun-free" zones do nothing but assure criminals and terrorists that they will find unarmed victims defenseless against a homicidal rampage. The only people who have guns in "gun-free" zones are criminals, members of the elite (who create special rules for themselves so they can carry a gun or have armed bodyguards) and maybe a cop or two.

I can't quite decide whether "gun-free" zones are an illusion or an hallucination. But I do know they are evil. I hold the authorities who establish "gun-free" zones just as accountable for the deaths and injuries as the shooter himself. It is reckless and foolish to assume that disarming good people causes bad people to behave as they should. It is my firm opinion that any person, government, agency, business, school, church, or any other entity that creates a "gun-free" zone must also provide absolute security and safety for all who enter therein.

Utah's legislature is one of countless government entities that have established "gun-free" zones and/or have provided for businesses, churches, and government agencies to establish "gun-free" zones. I believe every State legislature and Congress must promptly pass legislation requiring all entities that establish "gun-free" zones also provide absolute security to include armed guards and full screening for weapons.

We must no longer tolerate any attempts to disarm law abiding citizens with silly schemes that criminals will never obey. Tragically, there will be shootings in "gun-free" zones again, but they will happen with, or without any gun laws anyone can think of. Disarming victims is not the solution! Fortunately, enlightened people understand that simple fact.

Notes:
1 - My comments on the LDS-owned Deseret News website in opposition to "gun-free" zones were censored. My comments were not censored on the non-LDS Salt Lake Tribune website.
2 - I am LDS.

Related reading:

Shooting Back: The Right and Duty of Self-Defence


More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws, Third Edition


Armed-Citizen Solution To Crime In The Streets: So Many Criminals, So Few Bullets


Shots in the Dark: The Policy, Politics and Symbolism of Gun Control