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

[Jackson Brown]

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

However, since were talking about civilian carry permits, I was referring to civilian ownership of fully automatic rifles...and didn't feel the need to differentiate. Otherwise, cops who committed crimes with concealed handguns would also need to be counted...and, I'm sure there were several. Also, I'll bet the automatic rifle the cop used was not one he owned.

I'm sure some fully automatic weapons were used in crimes by US military people (like in Viet Nam) as well...(in leu of fragging -- with a grenade -- unpopular lieutenants and non-coms out in the battle field).

[Hot Tabasco]

Please! don't tell me you still listen to that piece of crap Albom! I too called in a couple years back when it was still an issue and was dropped like a bad habit!

Mark Scott was the best!

[CIBGUY]

I'm a retired police officer and a Life Member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Barr's opinions are shared by a small minority of police officers, most of whom won't go outside their house while off duty without a gun, a bunch of hypocrites.

[Hat-Trick]

.....yet he wants those who own legal guns to not be able to defend themselves.

It's his own sick way of promoting job security. Keep us law-abiding citizens unarmed and dependent on him for our safety from criminals. If there weren't another million jackasses with badges and internet access like this fool, I'd almost be willing to give him a well-intentioned benefit of the doubt, but I believe he (and other's of similar opinion) really does know better - and for that he is my domestic enemy.

[FreedomCalls]

Editorials: More automobiles equal more grief, loss of life Friday, December 26, 2003

As the debate over the private ownership of automobiles 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-private automobile people explain why putting several thousand more cars out on the street is a good idea and how that would make us all safer.

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

Folks, I have a newsflash for you: Most of the automobiles used in bank robbery getaways and burglary incidents are stolen during joy rides or from carjackings. 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 automobile had ended their loved one’s life.

I watched the TV coverage of the "peaceful" pro-private automobile rally at the Statehouse by those who claim it is their right to own a car. One man was driving a candy-apple red Corvette convertible. He’s just what we need standing in traffic next to a family while they wait to cross a street to go to church. 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 driver's licenses. Well, it’s my right, should this bill ever pass, God forbid, to know who they are!

OFFICER PAT Hedupbut

Columbus Division of Police -- You Will Submit.

[Hat-Trick]

Dear Officer Barr:

[AmericanVictory]

How surprising that so many police are for a police state. No self interest there.

[endthematrix]

You called it! He's got nuthin' here! inconsistencies abound! The misinformed favor gun control. Wait an minute.....He said he hasn't heard pro carry argument or looked at statistics. The sad fact the cops got millions of misguided supporters. What a tough battle ahead.

[Positive]

"...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...."

Reminds me of two stories, one supposedly true, the other from a Novel by Nelson DeMille:

1) When Country Music Legend Hank Williams' divorce from a Hollywood babe hearing ended, the press asked both questions. The babe said "He shot at me three times, I don't want to live with someone who shoots at me." When Hank was asked about this he responded; "Hell, I don't want to live with someone I need to shoot at.
2) The Cop hero of DeMille's Plum Island thinks to himself, "You know, it's funny how few wives seem sad when you tell them their husband's been murdered."

Point one was mostly for the humor of it.

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

[endthematrix]

"This is guy is a product of the stupidity taught these days in public schools."

I'd add that he's watching too much daytime tv,fan of Rosie and UN, Sarah Brady supporter. To think that this guy doesn't know what the NRA does to support LE is ludicrous!

[reg45]

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

When a reporter asked General Patton about his "pearl handled" pistol, the General replied that the handgrips were ivory and not pearl. He further commented that "only pimps use pearl handgrips".

[longtermmemmory]

I think you forgot the barf alert.

It is well, actually overwhelmingly, documented that more guns equal LESS crime.

Next will be a political litmust test for officers. Only those who oppose individual rights will be hired.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Just sent this LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Let see what happens.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Day dreaming again



On 12.26.2003 Officer Pat Barr of the Columbus Police bashed the 2nd amendment and all known self defense statues known to man. Officer Barr has 24 years of experience. Not detective, not investigator, not sergeant, not Lieutenant or Captain, just Officer. Kind of tells the reader something.



Citizens register a privileged like a car, not a right guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. By the way the First Amendment the right to free speech is not licensed, however, can be sued if misused, but still not registered. Why do we need to register a constitutional amendment?



I just finished reviewing the statistics for your performance in Ohio. In the year 2000, 37,919 violent crimes were committed, 420 murders, 4,200 rapes, 15,553 robberies, and 17,597 assaults. Question Officer Barr where were you? Why did your not stop these crimes from happening? Do you know that dialing 911 and no help is real? If you fail your duty to protect the Ohio citizen the statue known as “sovereign immunity” protects you from being sued. Question who is watching out for my family when you are eating donuts?

[DmBarch]

From the Lansing (MI) State Journal, October 24, 2002. On page 13A, it has an interview with Jennifer Granholm (D) who then was the elected Attorney General of Michigan. Granholm was elected Governor of Michigan two weeks later.

"LSJ: Haven't you changed your position on some of the issues?

Granholm: CCW I have! I was opposed to the changes to liberalize the carrying of a concealed weapon. Because I stood with law enforcement and we thought there would be a lot of accidents, a lot of road rage, etc. Well, you know, we've been proven wrong. So, I'm willing to say when I've overstated something or when I've been proven wrong."

[BikerTrash]

Excellent letter! But the slobberin', donut eating dumbass won't get it.

[MississippiMan]

From my experience, this officer is part of a distinct minority of LEOs. His attitude is condescending and patronizing at best. He is part of the problem.

Yup, good LEOs understand the difference between law-abiding citizens and thugs, and have no problem with the former protecting themselves from the latter.

MM

[Nam Vet]

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

I think it was about a pimp in a whore-house.

Nam Vet

[ExSoldier]

In the time I've been getting these responses, I ran the movie to that point. The line is:

""They're ivory, DAMNIT. Only a pimp from a cheap New Orleans whorehouse would carry a pearl-handled pistol."

THAT should put this to bed, thanks to all who responded. LOL