It’s no secret that corrupt politicians are more of a factor in large urban centers than in rural communities and small towns. The same applies to organized crime. Both are associated with urban areas. It’s much harder for significant corruption to exist when the amounts are smaller, the people involved mostly know the politicians personally and there are fewer large public works projects to play favorites with. A significant exception might be planning and zoning, where local elites tend to wield great power, have little accountability, and where significant money is at stake . . .
It’s also clear that corrupt politicians and organized crime figures hate the idea of an armed populace. When you’re stealing, cheating, and extorting people on a daily basis, some of them are bound to take exception to it. Push them far enough, and a few will inevitably decide to push back, even at the cost of their own lives. Do it long enough, and it becomes a virtual certainty.
It is much more difficult for corrupt politicians or organized crime to exist in the midst of an armed citizenry. Need an expert opinion on that? How about Sammy “The Bull” Gravano:
“Gun control? It’s the best thing you can do for crooks and gangsters. I want you to have nothing. If I’m a bad guy, I’m always gonna have a gun. Safety locks? You pull the trigger with a lock on, and I’ll pull the trigger. We’ll see who wins.”
Gun control in New York was driven by corrupt politicians desire to protect their criminal gangs. Big Tim Sullivan, who pushed through the Sullivan law, didn’t want his gangsters to face armed resistance.
In Arizona, a corrupt politician, Mary Rose Wilcox, was protected by her politician buddies who had the case transferred to a friendly prosecutor, who ultimately dismissed it. This was after two grand juries found sufficient probable cause to indict her. She was shot in the rear end by a homeless citizen who had just been released from jail. She was and is a big proponent of gun control. She is still in office. From the phoenixnewtimes.com:
Did Wilcox the county supervisor deserve to get shot in the ass?
Yes.…..
Among those in the know, Wilcox is noted not for her integrity but her arrogance. South Phoenix is considered by many to be controlled by the Wilcox political machine. Comparisons with old Chicago have been drawn.
Senator Leland Yee was one of the most strident proponents of gun control in California. He was recently charged with bribery and public corruption, including the facilitation of illegal gun trafficking.
Chicago fought to maintain its gun control laws longer and harder than almost any other city in the nation. Is there any other city more notorious for its sleazy politics?
Nevada is generally gun friendly. The only county that requires registration of pistols is Clark County, which includes Las Vegas. The statute was put into effect while Las Vegas still had the reputation of a town run by the mob. Corruption and civilian disarmament, or to use the current preferred euphemism, “gun safety” legislation — go together like organized crime and extortion.
Niccolo Machiavelli noted the problems with politicians disarming people:
When you disarm [the people] you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred against you. – Niccoló Machiavelli, The Prince. 1537.
“Progressives” use stale and discredited Marxist concepts to impugn the motives of gun owners. They claim that Second Amendment supporters are being duped by the NRA to prevent “gun safety” legislation in order to increase the profits of “big businesses” that are anxious to trade children’s blood for a few dollars more.
They ignore what happened to gun manufacturers like Smith & Wesson or Ruger when they gave in to political pressure to side with politicians who wanted to gut Second Amendment freedoms. Smith & Wesson almost went bankrupt and is now under new ownership. Ruger suffered for years until it reversed its policies. It is those who wish to disarm the public that have driven gun sales through the roof.
The motivations of corrupt politicians and organized crime, often working in concert, are simple and clear. Just like anyone else, they do not want to get shot.
©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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