Gun sales in January surged by 80% after an already frenzied buying pattern in 2020. Shortages of firearms and ammunition are a sign to some as an overreaction to conspiracy theories. The idea that people are just being paranoid is countered by the headlines we see every day. April reminds of mass violence with a particularly violent history of anniversaries of tragedies, from the Columbine massacre, to Waco’s Branch Davidian disaster, to the Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah building to name a few.
It is necessary to filter what we see, hear, and read about the violence in the world in order to dial in the reality of our own risk. As we see what appears to be a rise in mass shootings, the probability of dying that way is less than being struck by lightning. As a close relative of a Columbine survivor who was sitting in the cafeteria unknowingly next to an explosive device when the shooting started, I don’t dismiss the reality. But for every school, mall, or store where assault and murder happen that generates days of national news coverage, there are tens of thousands of such places where life went on as usual. That may be of little comfort due to the apparent randomness of this kind of insanity, but the odds are in our favor.
When, however, our government continues a seemingly unstoppable destruction of the safeguards established for public safety, the burden of self-preservation from violence is shifting. I seldom try to prove my qualifications to write these articles, but it is important to the reader to know that I am not a mere observer and commentator who once wore a badge and presume to know everything about criminal justice. One of my police executive roles was as chief of campus police who began that phase of my career while the blood of the Virginia Tech rampage was still on the ground. I developed an expertise and knowledge of mass violence of necessity. There are many steps that businesses and institutions can take to reduce the likelihood of damages from an active shooter event. But, regardless of one’s views on the complicated issue of gun ownership (full disclosure – I am a strong 2nd amendment supporter), I have seen not one law proposed or enacted that would have prevented any of the attacks on which these proposals are predicated.
It is no coincidence that gun sales have increased as national political figures who are entrenched in the ideology of restricting gun ownership have been in office. It could be arguable that relying on law enforcement, corrections, and the courts and quick summoning of help from a 911 call would mean that means of self-defense are not needed. But that would be the case only when a strong public safety infrastructure was in place. Does that mean I’m encouraging everyone to armor up? That’s a very personal decision. What we see, however, is that the same legislative bodies throwing roadblocks to defending one’s family are the same bodies systematically dismantling the government’s own ability to protect the public.
The list of laws proposed and passed includes making it easier to sue the police, disarming traffic enforcement officers, releasing prisoners, prosecuting police officers for justifiable shootings, reducing criminal penalties, and handcuffing law enforcement at every turn. Very few proposals fit the label of police reform, but rather give permission for the lawless to avoid accountability for the crimes of violence that are rising across the nation.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has been credited with saying “Even paranoids have enemies”. Fear should always be measured by reality, so the decision about measures to safeguard oneself and loved ones is a matter of risk assessment. As measures to muzzle law enforcement, forgive and excuse offenders, and label bad guys as heroes and good guys as villains, it is time to make that assessment. A person living in places other than where urban unrest and anarchist policies are growing, the problem is very real to them as well. Any police officer, small agency or large, will testify that the amount of resistance, confrontation, non-compliance, and disrespect is percolating everywhere.
When serious crime is on the rise, lesser problems of disorder will follow. The reverse is also true, so we can expect a spiraling of crimes against persons and the integrity of personal property. Discouraging traffic enforcement means more dangerous vehicles and dangerous driving will occur. That means the cost of insurance will rise, adding economic uncertainty to the cost of an impotent justice system.
In addition to preparing for economic wounds as well as property and violent crimes encroaching, every citizen must educate themselves on the good or harm that legislative proposals will do to maintain a healthy society. Ineffective laws that only hamper our liberties, or antagonistic laws that hamper our law enforcement professionals must meet strong resistance from citizens of goodwill and conscience.