As I’ve previously mentioned, the murder rate in Chicago is up 18% this year. Instead of hiring additional police, or at least maintaining the same number of police, Chicago has intentionally allowed hundreds of vacancies to remain unfilled in the police department to cut costs:
As ridiculous as it sounds to cut police protection as crime increases, it seems to be a popular thing to do these days. The suburb of Oak Park, which is also experiencing a crime wave, decided to cut police protection too. Both Chicago and Oak Park have also vowed to keep their handgun ban laws, despite the fact that the criminals commiting armed robbery, home invasion, and murder just ignore the handgun bans.
Since it appears that Mayor Daley and the Chicago Aldermen are having difficulty fighting Chicago’s rampant crime, I humbly offer the following suggestions:
- Repeal the handgun ban – The handgun ban doesn’t stop criminals from having guns, but does stop law abiding people from defending themselves.
- Increase police protection – With the money saved by no longer having to fight a losing court battle to keep the handgun ban, Chicago can expand police protection. The money saved obviously won’t be enough to hire all the new cops that are needed, but it is a start.
- Promote lawful gun ownership and education – Law abiding citizens use guns in self defense about 2.5 million times each year, preventing countless people from becoming victims. Promoting safe and responsible gun storage and gun handling would help self defense, while preventing the unintentional shootings that occur with depressing regularity.