Couple of things before we begin. First— I’m not nor ever have been a gun owner although I could come to regret that should the apocalypse ever arrive (he said hoping it never does.) Second— there is no such thing as gun violence though there is such a thing as violence using guns. Obvious— isn’t it? One would think. Third— there are far too many people today who use guns to commit a multitude of crimes from murder to mugging. So what’s the solution? Banning guns? Regulating them out of existence? Nothing seems to be working so far, right? Well, we’ll try and figure it all out here. PS: If you haven’t read my article of three years ago titled Solutions: The Rise in Crime, you might want to take a look at it.
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
We can lock our gates and doors, we can lock our cars, we do everything we can to keep ourselves, our families and our property as safe as possible but there will always be one truth. If someone wants to break into your house, steal your property or make the attempt or succeed in doing you harm bad enough— they’ll do it. When you add the little fact that many cities including some entire states have removed virtually all consequences for most crimes, it’s no wonder you can read a report from somewhere citing crime is down. Additionally, no cash bail makes law enforcement question why they’re taking the time and possible danger to themselves arresting someone they know will be back out on the street in a few hours. The risk is becoming too great. I get it. Not only do I get it but I don’t blame them. So all crime is down so say the reports— what they neglect to tell you is they didn’t add crime statistics from some of the worst crime ridden cities in the U.S.
So yes, crime is increasing. Especially in cities and states run by Democrats. The simplest solution would be to vote out these incompetent idiots who are in charge but that would take either an informed electorate or serious investigations in what could be rigged elections because who in their right mind would continue voting in these people? But that’s another story. And if that weren’t bad enough, we now find out that according to a new ICE report. 425,000 criminal migrants are free in U.S. even as I type. This includes 13 thousand known illegal migrants convicted of murder and close to 16 thousand convicted of sexual assault. Do you believe any of these people will think twice about using a gun to commit a crime?
Three immediate solutions come to mind…
Cast your vote for Donald Trump for President. Kamala Harris is nothing but a liar and a fraud regarding most everything. Trust me, she’s anything but a law and order candidate and she’ll do whatever she can to restrict the rights of law abiding gun owners. All you NRA members, get off your asses and vote!
Vote out all elected officials who are soft on crime. Especially crimes where guns were used.
If your city or state has it, revoke cashless bail for all crimes where firearms are involved. In fact, the bail amount should reflect the seriousness of the crime beginning at $25,000.00.
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Those three solutions above alone would go a very long way in reducing the use of guns in crimes. You’re never going to reduce violence in America involving guns by hurting law abiding gun owners. Remember what I said— if there’s a will, there’s a way and if a criminal wants to get their hands on a gun, from what we see daily on the news, it appears they’re very easy to come by. No bans or further regulations on anything regarding firearms will stop a criminal from obtaining one. And the only way you’re going to curtail the use of guns in criminal actions is to make the consequences so bad, it’s just not worth the risk to criminals. But it’s not criminals alone. How many times do we hear about criminals let loose by judges only to commit more crime? More than we like to. Some go back to crime immediately. We hear about murders committed just days after being released on bail or from an inordinately brief jail or prison sentence. Before we can address the consequences to criminals for their behavior, we must first address judges for their equally bad behavior. So far, as far as I’m aware, there aren’t any real consequences for judges who make decisions that results in additional innocent people hurt or killed.
Three strikes and you’re out. Any judge who releases a criminal defendant via unreasonably low bail or no bail at all and the defendant uses a gun to commit a crime (any crime) while out on bail will receive one strike. If he or she receives two more strikes against them, they are immediately removed from the bench. In essence, they are fired.
Perhaps with this in place, Judges will think twice before they implement their WOKE ideologies on crime.
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Prosecute criminals
No time like the present, right? Especially after solution 2, 3 and 4 have been completed. (Hopefully, solution 1 is a given.) Laws against crime and criminals have been improved with DA’s at the ready. Time for court.
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Consequences
The punishment not only has to fit the crime, it has to deter further thought of . Right now, criminals know they can get away with just about anything. That has to change as of yesterday. No more coddling of criminals. These people not only know right from wrong, they’re spitting in the face of law abiding society. What’s the old saying? “There’s a new sheriff in town.” It’s long overdue to bring the hammer down on criminals. Below might be considered a guide for the hammer. No more get out of jail free cards. Commit a crime using a gun? It’s straight to jail (or prison.) No passing GO and no collecting two-hundred dollars. For this solution, I’m going to use the word prison. Seeing as I’m not a lawyer, I have no idea how that all works. In some situations, jail might be a more appropriate word. For the sake of argument, I’ll just use the word prison. And just so we’re clear, no parole or reduced sentence for good behavior.
(1) Unlawful possession of a firearm—
- First offense: 6 months in prison and must attend and complete a 3 month program designed to combat recidivism.
- Second offense: 2 years in prison and must attend and complete a 3 month secondary program designed to combat recidivism.
- Third offense: 5 years in prison
- Fourth offense: Life in prison (with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of twelve years under certain circumstances)
(2) Use of a firearm in the commission of a crime resulting in no physical harm to the victim[s].
- First offense: 3 years in prison and must attend and complete a 3 month program designed to combat recidivism.
- Second offense: 5 years in prison and must attend and complete a 3 month secondary program designed to combat recidivism.
- Third offense: Life in prison (with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of twelve years under certain circumstances)
This covers muggings, robbery, carjacking and similar offenses. Remember, even if there was no physical harm done to the victims, there most assuredly be psychological scars they’ll have to live with. For some, it will be for the rest of their lives.
(3) Use of a firearm in the commission of a crime resulting in physical harm to the victim[s].
- First offense: 8 years in prison and must attend and complete a 3 month secondary program designed to combat recidivism.
- Second offense: Life in prison (with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of fifteen years under certain circumstances)
(4) Use of a firearm in the commission of a murder
- Premeditated, 1st degree: Death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- Anything else (unless it’s justified): Mandatory 8 to 12 years in prison. Or longer if warranted. (Parole may be granted after serving a minimum of 8 years.)
Again, I’m no lawyer, judge or politician but what I do know is that unless criminals come to the realization that the book will be thrown at them should they be convicted of using a firearm in the commission of a crime, it won’t stop. Criminals and/or would-be criminals should fear these consequences.
While all solutions offered in this article are important in my humble opinion. Nothing is as important as voting Donald Trump into the Presidency. That’s why it’s listed as number one. With the influx of millions of illegal aliens including two million known got-aways, you can bet your bottom dollar that using firearms in crime will rise exponentially. Because of deliberate actions taken by the Biden/Harris team, Mexican Cartels and criminal gangs are gaining a foothold in the United States. Crimes like extortion, rape, murder, muggings, carjackings— well, let’s just say crime as a whole will soar. Again, primarily because there are no real consequences or deterrents. These criminals neither fear nor respect our laws and the people who enforce them. They’ll kill a cop without breaking a sweat and this will only get worse as long as nothing changes. Want someone to blame? All those who cast their vote for these soft on crime officials. Blame yourselves for voting them into office. And unfortunately, for those of you residing in sanctuary cities and states or worse— a state like Illinois where most crime has been decriminalized, be prepared.
For you, the worst has yet to come.
