More Firearms Equal More Grief, Loss of Life

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | 26 December 2003 | Officer Pat Barr

[buccaneer81]

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Local/State > Editorials More firearms equal more grief, loss of life Friday, December 26, 2003

As the debate over the concealed carry of handguns continues, I am baffled that any law-enforcement officer or agency would come out in favor of the bill. I applaud Gov. Bob Taft; obviously, he is a man of conviction and common sense.

I have yet to hear the pro-carry people explain why putting several thousand more guns out on the street is a good idea and how that would make us all safer.

There have been about 105 homicides in just Columbus this year, many of them involving firearms. Without looking at the statistics, I’ll bet not one of the firearms used was a weapon registered to the suspect, purchased legally or that the suspect completed any firearms training.

Folks, I have a newsflash for you: Most of the firearms used in shooting and homicide incidents are stolen during burglaries or from automobiles. Very rarely are they legitimately owned.

I have been a police officer in Columbus for almost 24 years. Having spent most of that time on the street and in homicide, I have knocked on many doors to tell family members that someone they loved wouldn’t be coming home because someone with a firearm had ended their loved one’s life.

I watched the TV coverage of the "peaceful" pro-carry rally at the Statehouse by those who claim it is their right to carry a firearm. One man was wearing a pearl-handled .44 Magnum in a Western-style holster. He’s just what we need standing in line next to a family while they wait to get into a Blue Jackets game. After years of seeing firsthand the grief, suffering and loss of life, quite frankly the thought makes me sick.

And these same people are fighting public access to records of the people issued permits to carry concealed firearms. Well, it’s my right, should this bill ever pass, God forbid, to know who they are!

OFFICER PAT BARR

Columbus Division of Police

[drlevy88]

I have yet to hear the pro-carry people explain why putting several thousand more guns out on the street is a good idea and how that would make us all safer.

Has he been living in a hole along with Saddam Hussein?

[drlevy88]

"Salute!"

[SauronOfMordor]

Thanks for the info! It actually supports my point (which I assume you're agreeing with by pointing out "the one".)

The point I was making, in agreement with you, is that civilian CCW and Class III's have a better record with guns than the police do.

[SauronOfMordor]

Point two is that most of the time when a guy gets shot to death, he ain't that good a guy.

I vagely remember some stats that 90% of killers had a prior felony record, and 80% of those killed had prior felonies. Think about the people who most commonly kill each other: gang bangers, drug dealers, etc

[Quix]

Are such critters aware of the Australian statistics?

[aomagrat]

[Spok]

"There have been about 105 homicides in just Columbus this year, many of them involving firearms. Without looking at the statistics, I’ll bet not one of the firearms used was a weapon registered to the suspect, purchased legally or that the suspect completed any firearms training."

I'm confused. In this statement, he makes the case for concealed carry laws. Any cop knows that the creeps with guns that they need be concerned about ARE ALREADY OUT THERE! THEY'RE NOT WAITING FOR A CCW LAW TO START PACKING!! A little common sense, please.

[facedown]

I have yet to hear the pro-carry people explain why putting several thousand more guns out on the street is a good idea and how that would make us all safer.

Then you're not listening.

[George from New England]

"Reads more like a she to me."

Yes. Good guess that it is a female cop.

[George from New England]

This also sounds like the mentality of a clever criminal. Get the guns away from the potential victim pool. The skill taken in writing this suggests the education of a typical perp.

[facedown]

The skill taken in writing this suggests the education of a typical perp.

More likely a power freak.

[tj005]

Ok... if banning guns will eliminate gun crime then the answer is simple.. just ban crime!! oh wait... we did that... it didn't work did it? oh drat!

I wonder if Officer Barr would be so convinced if HE was NOT a police officer and COULD NOT carry a sidearm for protection?

Just a thought......

[tj005]

"He's an idiot. He just said criminals don't obey gun laws so let's punish the stand up citizens. He's an idiot. He should be fired on the general principle that he's probably a danger to society since his thought processes are in the retarded range."

yep... nothing like an idiot police officer. Now, dont we all feel safer?

[tj005]

"What was the famous quote by General Patton about pearl handled grips on handguns?"

Wasn't it something associating pearl handles and wh*rehouses but those of his were Ivory? something like that?

[King Prout]

If the sentence that includes "Shall not infringe" isn't taken seriously, why should we think he has any Rights?

good one.

[King Prout]

BRAVO!

[King Prout]

no: banning firearms means that the rapists, burglars, muggers, and murderers would break THAT law too. They'd be armed with firearms. Their prey would be rendered helpless by the law.

[VadeRetro]

I have yet to hear the pro-carry people explain why putting several thousand more guns out on the street is a good idea and how that would make us all safer.

Can't prove he's lying, but I don't believe he's telling the truth about what he's heard. He probably needs to get his ears unplugged.

[King Prout]

This guy probably wouldn't do too well in a southern police force.

heh heh heh... you ain't wrong... hoo-boy you ain't wrong. LOL! ask and I'll explain why.

[King Prout]

I'd pay money for an mpg or wav file of that interview.