Mandatory locks would likely increase deaths from crime

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Letters File Folder ] [ Home ]

Posted by Phil Lee (216.250.238.73) on November 19, 2000 at 15:02:

"If it will save even one child's life" is the frequent refrain use to justify new gun control proposals. Unfortunately, public policy decision can't be that simple, because such a restriction will not only save lives; it would also cost lives.

Mandatory locks would likely increase deaths from crime. Guns are used quite commonly in self-defense; estimates of defensive gun uses per year range from 110,000 (National Crime Victimization Survey) to 1.5 million to 2.5 million or more (studies by criminologists Gary Kleck and Philip Cook). A very large majority of defensive uses simply involve display of the firearm (without a shot being fired), followed by the criminal's hasty retreat. Nobody knows what the exact count is or how many of those uses save the lives of kids or other innocents.

Nor does anyone know how many of those defensive uses would have been frustrated by potential crime victims having to fumble with trigger locks or safes. But we do know what happens in countries like Canada where the laws require that firearms be locked up: the burglary rate is significantly higher than in the United States. U.S. burglars almost always avoid occupied homes, for fear of being shot. But Canadian burglars are three times more likely than American burglars to break into a home when people are there. From the Canadian burglar's viewpoint, a "hot burglary" (victims present) is often superior, since the alarm system will be turned off and there will be wallets and purses to grab.

A prime example illustrating the impact of having locked up a firearm is the case in California where two children were murdered by an intruder using a pitchfork despite there being a firearm in the house. That firearm could not be accessed in time (See "Memories and tears flow as family buries two children killed by intruder," Modesto Bee, August 31, 2000). Political leaders who champion use of trigger locks can be assured that such cases will happen ever more frequently and the people will hold them responsible for the lives lost at the polls. It will not be punishment enough for these autocratic little dictators.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: "If it will save even one child's life" is the frequent refrain use to justify new gun control proposals. Unfortunately, public policy decision can't be that simple, because such a restriction will not only save lives; it would also cost lives. : Mandatory locks would likely increase deaths from crime. Guns are used quite commonly in self-defense; estimates of defensive gun uses per year range from 110,000 (National Crime Victimization Survey) to 1.5 million to 2.5 million or more (studies by criminologists Gary Kleck and Philip Cook). A very large majority of defensive uses simply involve display of the firearm (without a shot being fired), followed by the criminal's hasty retreat. Nobody knows what the exact count is or how many of those uses save the lives of kids or other innocents. : Nor does anyone know how many of those defensive uses would have been frustrated by potential crime victims having to fumble with trigger locks or safes. But we do know what happens in countries like Canada where the laws require that firearms be locked up: the burglary rate is significantly higher than in the United States. U.S. burglars almost always avoid occupied homes, for fear of being shot. But Canadian burglars are three times more likely than American burglars to break into a home when people are there. From the Canadian burglar's viewpoint, a "hot burglary" (victims present) is often superior, since the alarm system will be turned off and there will be wallets and purses to grab. : A prime example illustrating the impact of having locked up a firearm is the case in California where two children were murdered by an intruder using a pitchfork despite there being a firearm in the house. That firearm could not be accessed in time (See "Memories and tears flow as family buries two children killed by intruder," Modesto Bee, August 31, 2000). Political leaders who champion use of trigger locks can be assured that such cases will happen ever more frequently and the people will hold them responsible for the lives lost at the polls. It will not be punishment enough for these autocratic little dictators.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Letters File Folder ] [ Home ]