The District has passed new gun legislation consistent with the recent Supreme Court decision overturning the city’s gun ban, but mindful of the obligation to keep order and prevent gun violence. However, added to gun killings typical of big cities today, there is likely to be an increase in homicides that would have been prevented if there were no guns in homes.  Therefore, I have challenged my own constituents, the great majority of whom strongly favored the D.C. gun ban, not to buy a gun.  The data reported for decades could not be more definitive: guns are seldom used to deter criminals (most thugs prefer empty premises).  Overwhelmingly, guns in homes are used during violence among relatives and friends, for suicides, and in accidents. In big cities, guns in homes do not stay in homes. They make their way to the streets.  The court has spoken and the city has acted.  It’s the turn of residents to act now.  If they meant what they said, that it was our gun ban and we needed it, then residents won’t buy into the gun culture by buying a gun.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at 12:32 pm and is filed under Politics .