I’ve previously mentioned the recent handgun crimes in Oak Park, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago that has a handgun ban (which the criminals ignore). Most of these recent crimes have only involved robbery at gunpoint, and pistol whipping. Today, a man stopped for a traffic light at the intersection of Austin and Roosevelt in Oak Park was shot, after exchanging unknown words with the gunman. The man was listed in serious condition as of Thursday evening. The Tribune has the full story.
How many shooting, robberies, and pistol whippings will it take before Oak Park realizes that criminals who don’t fear a murder or robbery charge won’t fear a handgun possession charge? It is simply common sense that if the prospect of spending many years in prison doesn’t deter a criminal, a $1,000 fine certainly won’t deter them either. Instead, it will only cause the law abiding citizens to give up their guns, making them easier targets for criminals.