Opinion
This past Fourth of July weekend in Chicago was marked by a grim reality that no city should have to endure. Over 100 people were shot, with 19 fatalities, in an outbreak of violence that has become all too common in the Windy City. While some politicians and media outlets might use this tragedy to push their agendas, it’s crucial to cut through the noise and focus on real solutions that can make our communities safer.
Chicago Police reported that between Wednesday evening and early Monday morning, the city saw a devastating surge in violence involving firearms. The incidents ranged from mass shootings to targeted attacks, with victims as young as 8 years old. In one of the most shocking cases, multiple shooters fired into a Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood home, killing two women and an 8-year-old boy while leaving two young boys in critical condition.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling addressed the violence in a press conference, but their words rang hollow against the backdrop of such overwhelming tragedy. While they extended condolences and promised emergency support services, many Chicagoans are left wondering what tangible actions will be taken to prevent future bloodshed.
It’s easy to blame “gun violence”, as the MSM media continues to do, but this approach oversimplifies the issue and ignores deeper, systemic problems. “Gun violence” is a made-up term used to stigmatize firearms and gun ownership. Guns don’t shoot people; people do. The reality is that many of these crimes are committed with illegally obtained firearms. Stricter gun control laws often only serve to disarm law-abiding citizens, leaving them defenseless against criminals who operate outside the law.
The Failure of Gun Control
Gun control has been an abject failure. Despite some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, Chicago continues to see rampant crime involving firearms. This tragic weekend is just the latest example. Gun control laws do not prevent criminals from obtaining firearms; they only disarm responsible, law-abiding citizens.
More guns in the hands of responsible citizens can actually make for safer communities. When law-abiding people are armed, they can defend themselves and their neighbors. This creates a deterrent effect against crime. Criminals are less likely to commit violent acts if they know that potential victims could be armed and ready to defend themselves.
Real Solutions for Safer Communities
The root causes of violence in Chicago are complex and multifaceted. Economic despair, mass injection of illegal immigrants, lack of educational opportunities, and a breakdown of community structures all play significant roles. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the surface-level rhetoric of gun control.
One factor is the need for robust community engagement and support. Initiatives like the Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, which focus on reducing violence through community-based organizations, are a step in the right direction. However, these programs need more support and funding to expand their reach and effectiveness.
Moreover, expanding President Trump’s Opportunity Zones program would greatly increase economic opportunities in these neighborhoods and spur private and public investment in America’s underserved communities. Job training programs, better access to education, and incentives for businesses to invest in high-crime areas can provide a foundation for long-term change. People need hope and a path to a better future, not just more police on the streets.
Law enforcement also has a critical role to play, but it must be part of a balanced strategy. Effective policing requires community trust, which can only be built through transparency and accountability. Officers need to be seen as allies rather than adversaries, working in partnership with residents to keep neighborhoods safe.
The Role of Responsible Gun Ownership
Responsible gun ownership and self-defense should not be overlooked. Law-abiding citizens have the right to protect themselves and their families. Programs that promote personal gun ownership, firearms training, and gun safety education can help ensure that firearms are used responsibly. An armed citizenry can serve as a powerful deterrent to crime, creating safer communities for everyone.
Under Democrats, BloodShed will Continue…
Chicago’s holiday weekend violence is a sobering call to action. It’s time to move beyond the blame game and work together on comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of violence. Gun control has failed to protect our communities. By empowering responsible citizens to defend themselves and addressing the underlying causes of violence, we can begin to make progress toward a safer, more peaceful Chicago.
About Tred Law
Tred Law is your everyday patriot with a deep love for this country and a no-compromise approach to the Second Amendment. He does not write articles for Ammoland every week, but when he does write, it is usually about liberals Fing with his right to keep and bear arms.
Here’s an idea that I bet they haven’t tried yet.
What if the mayor called the police chief and told him/her/it “Get those thugs off of my streets in the next 72 hours or your replacement will!”
I was born in Chicago and went to school in Chicago. Enlisted after high school and never went back. That was 58 years ago. Smartest thing I ever did was say bye bye.
I am all for more guns in the hands of more citizens, but all this gum-bumping about what used to be cslled “community policing” is just as thoroughly horseshit as it was thirty years ago when I was lugging the textbooks around. There is a time and a place for some good, old school brutal policing, and Chicago is it. Don’t waste money on the coffee klatches and midnight basketball leagues.
gun control working at it’s optimal level. hard and bloody facts and yet you choose to ignore the facts and believe the/their(dumbas craps) lies. can’t fix stupid can you?
Somebody must have left the gun locker unlocked over the long weekend and those guns got out and had a field day. That’s the only thing that makes sense. It certainly can’t be the large numbers of lawless, felonious gang-bangers who place little value on human life. That’s just not realistic. It’s got to be the guns.
Most Chicago shootings are strangers shooting strangers. Most of it over nothing more than rudeness.