Alphecca: Philadelphia Gun Control

March 17, 2005

Philadelphia Gun Control

Following a "wave" of shootings in Philadelphia, the Mayor is considering more gun control. From WNEP TV:

PHILADELPHIA City officials in Philadelphia are considering gun control measures after a rash of murders that's left 23 people dead in ten days.

Mayor John Street, for instance, is considering a 90-day moratorium on concealed handgun permits.

Gun-control advocates say restrictions will help, even if they don't directly address the illegal-gun problem.

In addition, Street wants to meet with the Governor to discuss more gun control state-wide. From Reuters/Yahoo:

Calling the rash of killings a "crisis," Mayor John Street urged state lawmakers to amend Pennsylvania's relatively lax gun laws.

[...]

Under state law, some 28,000 people have permits to carry guns in Philadelphia, a city of about 1.5 million people. That compares with 16,000 such permits in New York, a city with a population more than four times larger.

There is no justification for most people to carry guns in the city, the mayor, a Democrat, told a news conference.

"These are not hunters. People should not be authorized to carry weapons on the streets of Philadelphia unless they have a good reason to do so," he said.

Well, I would say that if murders are rising in the City of Brotherly Love, that's good reason enough to conceal-carry.

What the news article doesn't mention is that most of this violence is the result of street gangs, drug gangs, et al. Frankly, I wouldn't worry about the 28,000 legally licensed citizens concealed-carrying. I'd be more concerned about the thousands of criminals who haven't bothered (and never will) obtaining a permit. They're the ones commiting mayhem.

Bust-up the mutant gangs, throw them in jail, and watch the violence decrease. Don't start leaving the haplass honest folk defenseless.

Posted by Jeff Soyer at March 17, 2005 07:42 AM

Comments

Mayor John Street, for instance, is considering a 90-day moratorium on concealed handgun permits.

And exactly how many of the 23 murders will turn out to have been committed by a permit holder? Chances are very, very good, based on historical statistics, that the number will be zero. What does this mean for Mayor Street's rhetoric? What an airhead! What a politician! But I repeat myself...

Posted by: Kirk Parker at March 17, 2005 01:04 PM

After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a society where the only people allowed guns are the police and the military.

William Burroughs
(b. 1914)
U.S. author. "The War Universe,"
taped conversation (published in Grand Street, no. 37;
repr. in Painting and Guns, 1992, in a slightly different form.

Posted by: Joe Huffman at March 17, 2005 06:26 PM

As it's been said before, those who go out and get concealed carry permits are the ones who follow the law. We go out of our way to make sure we're doing the right thing. That article doesn't mention if any concealed carry holders are actually involved in this "wave" of murders, but is sure does imply such. Guess it'd be good for the next weekly check on the bias.

Posted by: Fox at March 18, 2005 03:18 AM

This is particularly irresponsible in Philadelphia, considering that it borders Camden, NJ, one of the poorest, most drug-and-crime-ridden cities in America. Even if every gun were removed from Philadelphia, the people would still be victimized by their neighbor.

There should be an easment in the anti-machine-gun law for Philadelphians until Camden no longer is in the grip of drug dealers.

Posted by: john jay at March 18, 2005 02:38 PM

I feel the Mayor is doing this to take the spotlight off him during the city hall corruption trial.Also,I rememember the Mayor stating that "He and His people will run the city."when he was first elected.Guess what Mr. Mayor,"Your people" are doing all the shooting.

Posted by: PHILLY JOHN at March 25, 2005 09:28 PM

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March 17, 2005

Philadelphia Gun Control

By Golly, you're reading an archived post. Click Here to head to the main page and read current stuff...

Check it out:

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Colony: Alchibah