Felons Learning Hard Lesssons

Felons Learning Hard Lesssons
By The News Tribune
Published: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 5:19 AM CDT

Felonious behavior is becoming more dangerous,
if two recent incidents are any indication.

During a home invasion on Oct. 5, one of the intruders was shot
and killed by one of the occupants of the mobile home.

And an armed assailant is recovering from wounds after he was shot Oct. 13
by one of the people he was attempting to herd into a building
housing law offices on East Capitol Avenue.

In the first case, the weapon was kept in the home, which always
has been allowed to defend people and property.

In the second incident, the assailant was shot by someone who
qualifies under the conceal and carry law.

Sheriff Greg White is a proponent of the conceal and carry law,
passed by lawmakers in 2003 after Missouri voters rejected a similar law in 1999.

The law requires people to attain a standard of proficiency with
weapons before they are permitted to carry a concealed gun.
Proponents of the law believe it offers a greater sense of security
and decreases crime by prompting felons to consider the
consequences of armed confrontation.

We confess to harboring some reservations about the concealed carry law.
Our fear was an increase in guns in public would result in more guns being
displayed prematurely and/or more accidents.
[emphasis added by David]

White said recently: “All the fears over conceal and carry have never manifested.”

We concede the point.
[emphasis added by David]


Anecdotal evidence does not suggest an increase in accidents
or unprovoked gunplay.

The evidence, however, does show people defending themselves from harm.

The message being sent to felons is don't bring a weapon
to a crime unless you're prepared to accept the risk.