Gun-Free Idiocy

Ten years ago, economist John Lott published a landmark book, More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun-Control Laws, which set off a firestorm of criticism among the gun-grabbers. The book reported the results of well-designed and painstakingly documented studies which affirmed our common-sense belief that the presence of firearms in the hands of responsible citizens is a powerful deterrent to crime.

Of course, the liberals were outraged. Their publications – virtually all of the mainstream media – were filled with all of the expected anti-gun canards, along with articles vilifying Lott and questioning his motives.

Time has proven Lott's thesis, as expressed so cogently in the title of his book, to be correct. Today, he has written an op-ed piece for FOXNews.com, "Gun-Free Zones Are Not Safe", which powerfully reinforces his premise. He refreshes our memories by recounting the recent tragedies that were averted or minimized by the fortuitous presence of an armed citizen, and contrasting them with the far greater tragedies that occurred when the crazed gunman's victims were reduced to frantically throwing chairs at him because none of them had a gun. Says Lott,

Most people understand that guns deter criminals. The problem is that instead of gun-free zones making it safe for potential victims, they make it safe for criminals.

Of course, "most people" in this case does not include the liberals who run most of our governments and public institutions, nor their mainstream media handmaidens.