Andy Shaw: To curb Chicago gun violence, look closely at NY plan

Before Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson acknowledged a couple weeks ago that he’s dealing with some challenging medical issues, his top priority was legislative approval of tougher gun sentencing laws in Illinois.

He’s made that clear on numerous occasions, including a recent pitch for support from the Better Government Association.

Johnson’s primary concern, for now at least, should be his health, but finding ways to eradicate Chicago’s “killing fields” is still the city’s most daunting challenge.

Longer prison sentences will probably reduce the rates of shooting on Chicago streets but not enough to be apparent in the ongoing statistics. It will not deter those not in prison but will dissuade those in prison from shooting people while they are in prison.

In prison they don't contribute to Chicago statistics and they kill each other with shivs and cords and fists which is politically acceptable behaviour. Perhaps the local pols in Chicago should push murder by edged or pointed weapons as an alternative to the hated and feared "gun violence." Perhaps there could be rewards for killers using tools other than ̣shiverĐ guns. It would take some innovation to substitute for the drive-by shootings, though. The mayor needs to form a commission to study that.

No, Judges toss criminals back o nteh streets with little mre than a slap on the wrist- tougher sentencing laws won’t work, more anti- gun laws won’t work. What has worked across the nation have been increasing the risk to criminals who think about attacking the citizenry-More Guns, Less violence is the key.

While the powers that be in all forms of government think they can “control” crime through restrictive legislation, they in fact increase it by reducing the ability of lawful citizens from obtaining arms for their own and by extension, their community’s protection.

Chicago, NY LA etc ( Blue cities in Blue states all) need to correct the imbalance by undoing such restrictive laws and allowing the lawful to defend themselves with the only tools that make a little old lady the lethal force equal of a 200lb miscreant youth or career criminal....

Criminals generally don’t want to fight their victims with equal force- they want an immediate and significant advantage, and these cities/states give them it....

The citizenry tolerate this misguided and flawed policy, therefore they own it. They can undo the knots that bind them in indefensibility by voting.... Alas, they may be unable or unwilling to act for their own good.

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