Chicago: Criminals aren't only ones ignoring city handgun ban

[Guest TnRebel]

Chicago: Criminals aren't only ones ignoring city handgun ban

When police caught up to a fleeing drug suspect early Thursday, they had little problem arresting him. They found him in a private home he had entered, wounded in the chest by a resident with a handgun. The shooting occurred about a week after an 80 year old Army veteran used a handgun to shoot and kill an armed burglar who had broken into his home. In both cases, the weapons violated the city's 28 year old handgun ban, but police so far have declined to press charges.

http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13871

Looks like the people are going to take the city back themselves. Good for them.

[tntnixon]

What ever happened to the guy who was giving away free handguns to Chicago residents? It was making the news at the time, but just seemed to die.

[Mike.357]

unfortunately if you have a handgun in Chicago you are in fact a criminal.

[tntnixon]

unfortunately if you have a handgun in Chicago you are in fact a criminal.

This line of thinking is what has ultimately cost us many of our freedoms. If they pass an ordinance tomorrow stating that is now a crime not to kill your first born child, will you do it in order not to be a criminal? No, because it is wrong. The same with the Chicago gun ban. It spits in the face of our Constitution the same way that killing your first born would. However, we have become gradually accustomed to losing our firearms rights, so we accept it. At some point, our government could gradually bring us to accept to other just as China has. Remember, taking away rights doesn't happen all at once, it goes in baby steps.

[greenego]

unfortunately if you have a handgun in Chicago you are in fact a criminal.

As the saying goes "I would rather beg forgiveness from 12 than be carried out by 6".

[Photoguy67]

This line of thinking is what has ultimately cost us many of our freedoms. If they pass an ordinance tomorrow stating that is now a crime not to kill your first born child, will you do it in order not to be a criminal? No, because it is wrong. The same with the Chicago gun ban. It spits in the face of our Constitution the same way that killing your first born would. However, we have become gradually accustomed to losing our firearms rights, so we accept it. At some point, our government could gradually bring us to accept to other just as China has. Remember, taking away rights doesn't happen all at once, it goes in baby steps.

This started in 1934 and you will still serve prison time.

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

From the source article:

The city's problem is highlighted in those cases where residents use their illegal handguns apparently in self-defense. In the most recent case, on Thursday, a 27-year-old South Austin resident had a valid firearm owner's identification card but also a misdemeanor conviction for unlawful use of a weapon. He had pleaded guilty in 2002 to a misdemeanor weapons charge for possessing a 12-gauge shotgun.

WOW, you know something just ain't right when you get arrested for having a 12 gauge.

But not everyone is quick to break the ban. The cost of having a gun for most people is greater than the benefits, argued David Hemenway, a Harvard professor of health policy and the director of the Harvard Injury Control Research Center and the Youth Violence Prevention Center.

The evidence is overwhelming. Where there are more guns, there ends up being more deaths," said Hemenway, who writes about guns as a public health concern.

"It's hard. If you're living in Dodge City and everybody has a gun, you want a gun as well, but that's not good policy," he said. "In areas where there are more and more people armed, there are more guns. It's an arms race."

I am really getting tired of people who make "Wild West" references.

[Mike.357]

I did not say it was right, I just stated a fact. If you possess a handgun in Chicago you are a criminal.

Tell me how that statement is wrong.

[Oh Shoot]

....

WOW, you know something just ain't right when you get arrested for having a 12 gauge...

You can, but it has to be registered, as I understand it.

So maybe he had an unregistered one, or had it out with him loaded or something.

- OS

[tntnixon]

This started in 1934 and you will still serve prison time.

Actually, the Chicago handgun ban is a city ordinance and is only punishable by a $500.00 fine.

[Guest Jamie]

In areas where there are more and more people armed, there are more guns.

Well DUH!!!

This guy's a Harvard Professor? Sheesh...

J.

[gnmwilliams]

This line of thinking is what has ultimately cost us many of our freedoms. If they pass an ordinance tomorrow stating that is now a crime not to kill your first born child, will you do it in order not to be a criminal? No, because it is wrong. The same with the Chicago gun ban. It spits in the face of our Constitution the same way that killing your first born would. However, we have become gradually accustomed to losing our firearms rights, so we accept it. At some point, our government could gradually bring us to accept to other just as China has. Remember, taking away rights doesn't happen all at once, it goes in baby steps.

"How do you boil a frog? Turn up the heat one degree at a time. It'll never notice until it's too late." -Borrowed from my father-in-law's sermon yesterday.

[Guest HvyMtl]

A Gun For Grandpa - IBD - Investors.com

An opinion on the topic....

[towerclimber37]

Here's the thing. This law is about the dumbest one on the books right now.

ANY person using a firearm in a lawful manner I.E by a resident to stop a burglar or intruder won't be prosecuted.

Why? because if they do, then it can be taken to court and any defense lawyer worth is salt will use the Heller decision against the city of Chicago.

That would strike down their ban that much faster.