News flash for gun-law supporters: Criminals don’t obey laws

As predictable as a snowball fight after a snowfall the anti-gun sentiment jumps to the forefront after another horrific mass shooting. I don’t believe any gun owner is not disgusted by these events, however the solutions are never ones that would have prevented the event.

First and foremost: Criminals do not obey laws. That is why they are criminals. So creating new gun laws will not deter a criminal. Do you think the seven-round limit for a magazine in New York stops a criminal from loading 10 rounds? Gun laws only affect law-abiding citizens.

My favorite trite comment that usually surfaces is, “If it only saves one child . . .” Well back in 2012 give or take a year President Obama tasked the CDC to investigate guns used in self defense. The results were not a big success: Somewhere between 800,000 and 2,500,000 times a year guns are used in a self defense situation. Many times without firing a shot. The CDC is not a pro gun organization. So while saving one child is admirable, saving 2.5 million is amazing.

Background checks are always the first item on the agenda. We already have them. You can not buy a gun at a gun store without a check being run. At a gun show, with the exception of private sales, phone lines are set up for instant checks. What the anti-gun politicians really mean is background checks and registration.

The most gun homicides in the nation occur in Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. Ironically these cities have the most restrictive gun control measures in place. Again, criminals do not obey laws. How is the was on illegal drugs going?

Drunken drivers kill 50,000 a year; no call to remove or regulate alcohol. Second-hand smoke kills 30,000 a year; no call to remove or regulate cigarette. Australia banned handguns and the “gun” homicide went way down, but the homicide rate stayed even. Clubbing actually became popular. In England you can not own a knife over 4 inches unless you are a chef. Until you address the root cause of these mass killings (8 out of 10 are mental-health related ) no laws passed will have any effect. We can not be so PC that we ignore the signs that people need help or treatment when it is obvious be it postings in social media of friends telling friends.

The Second Amendment is no less important than any other including the First. It is just an easier target. Pun intended. A huge help would be if the media would just report the news and not glorify the shooters with so much coverage.

The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.

This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 3:29 PM with the headline "News flash for gun-law supporters: Criminals don’t obey laws."