Welcome to the Chicago, Murder City USA. Where the effects of decades of strict gun control are still being felt (endured?) today by the good citizens. So far this month, according to HeyJackass.com, the Windy City is averaging nearly 18 people shot and three homicides per day. Cops in Chicago solve fewer than one in five homicides, not because they are lazy or inept, but because they’re battling cultural attitudes towards police. They struggle against the “no snitch” creed enforced by thugs upon the decent people. It’s a place that just isn’t safe.
Yes, Illinois gained limited pre-emption with passage of the Firearms Concealed Carry Act in 2012. But generations of gun control and attitudes about gun ownership don’t change overnight. For far too long – at least fifty years – only criminals possessed handguns in Chicago. Long guns were heavily regulated there, too. Most law abiding residents decided that the local gun registration schemes were far more hassle than they were worth, so precious few good citizens had the means to meaningfully fight back against violent bad guys.
Attitudes are changing, but change is slow. Just yesterday, an 18-year-old aspiring bad guy nearly got himself killed. When it came to the victim selection process, he chose poorly. Tragic, I know.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the man attempted to rob a store in the Gresham neighborhood of Chicago just shy of 8pm Wednesday. The clerk produced his own pistola and rapidly and thoroughly perforated the perp. Modern medical technology managed to save the unsavory suspect and he’s currently in critical condition at Christ Medical Center.
The problem is that once he’s released from the hospital, should he make it that far, it’s entirely possible that he’ll be released with an ankle bracelet and placed on home confinement while he recovers. He wouldn’t be the first armed robbery suspect released on his own recognizance who promised to be a good boy.
And so the circle of violence shall continue until meaningful changes are made in Chicago’s criminal justice system. Bad guys need to be locked up for meaningful prison terms, and residents must stand up to bad guys and gals. Same as it ever was.