As the Tribune reports, 4 people were shot in the Chicago loop area after the Taste of Chicago and fireworks let out. One of the shootings was fatal. Over 1 million people had attended the Taste and fireworks that day. This series of shooting occurred despite the Chicago handgun ban, which has been in effect for decades.The Chicago police reportedly had one person in custody, and believed at least two of the shooting were gang related.
This is yet more evidence of the fact that criminals willing to commit murder aren’t going to be deterred by a handgun ban. Such gang members will still get guns, and will use their guns to victimize the law abiding, gun ban obeying citizens. Instead of being able to defend themselves, these citizens end up as statistics. Even the most anti-gun politicians, such as Chicago’s Mayor Daley, see that guns can provide security – and have taxpayer sponsored armed bodyguards for their own safety, while denying that same right to their citizens.
I sincerely hope that, for the safety and wellbeing of Chicago’s citizens, the lawsuit challenging Chicago’s handgun ban is successful.