Gun-Free Zones — Fish in a Barrel
With every mass shooting, there is an understandable outcry to “do something” to prevent additional loss of life. This is a natural human response by normal people who do not want carnage in the streets, malls, theatres, or schools. Often, that response includes the establishment of more Gun-Free Zones. But what effect do Gun-Free Zones really have?
What about the criminals who do not react like normal people? The criminal who is intent on creating a horrific spectacle? The loser who desperately wants his 15 minutes of fame? The gang member who wants to prove himself to the gang? To these people, a Gun-Free Zone is NOT a deterrent. It is an opportunity and an invitation to go shoot people – like fish in a barrel – without the risk of engaging in a firefight. Why is that? Because only law-abiding citizens will respect the “Gun-Free Zone” sign–criminals do NOT! Gun-Free zones create soft targets..
Shortly after New York implemented additional Gun-Free zones in response to the Bruen decision, there was a mass shooting in Times Square. The New York Times quoted a retired police inspector, Tom Harris, about that shooting. He said, “A gun-free zone is not going to stop a criminal from carrying a gun”. New York Times article
In Larry Corrieia’s widely acclaimed book In Defense of the Second Amendment, he says, “Gun-free zones are hunting preserves for innocent people. Period.” He goes on: “So where’s the best place to go shoot all these people? Obviously, someplace where nobody can shoot back.” He states that “gun-free zones serve no action point, and when bad things happen, they directly contribute to the body count”.
How Many Shootings Are in Gun-Free Zones?
So, let’s look at the numbers. How many of these mass shootings occur in Gun-Free Zones? The number is staggering. According to the Crime Prevention Research Center: 98% of mass shootings occur in Gun-Free Zones! See the 2/22/18 report in the Daily Wire article
In October 2015, John Lott Jr. reported that since 1950, there were only two mass shootings in the U.S. that occurred in areas that were not Gun-Free zones. “According to the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), only a little over 1% of mass shootings since 1950 occurred outside of a gun-free zone”: GunTalk article
Arm yourself with the facts for those difficult conversations with folks who are absolutely certain that Gun-Free Zones are the answer to mass shootings. If you want to dive deep into this subject, there is an hour-long video presentation by John Lott on YouTube: John Lott Presentation regarding Gun-Free Zones
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