Felony Friday: The Charleston Shooting Provides Proof That Gun Control Doesn’t Work
Advocates for gun control have wasted no time politicizing the tragic shooting in Charleston, South Carolina that left nine people dead. This is an understandable emotional reaction to the despicable actions of a madman. Proponents for gun control reason that we need more gun control laws in order to keep guns out of the hands of psychopaths like Dylann Roof. They argue this would decrease the likelihood of such an attack occurring.However, there is a problem with this argument. It is illogical and incredible naive. An insane, hateful person like Dylann Roof is not persuaded by laws, because he does not care of the consequences. His alleged actions provide the tragic evidence.This has not stopped gun control advocates from using this tragedy as a means to advance their anti-gun agenda. Dylan Roof was already subject to gun control measures due to his recent criminal activity, but was still able to find a gun. If anything, this terrible tragedy proves that gun control laws do not work.This inconvenient fact did not stop President Obama from using this tragedy to shame those who favor gun rights and to call for the implementation of enhanced gun control laws.CNN reports on the President’s reaction to the Charleston shooting:
"We do know that once again, innocent people were killed in part because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no trouble getting their hands on a gun," Obama said at the White House. "At some point, we as a country will have to reckon with the fact that this kind of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries. It doesn't happen in other places with this kind of frequency. It is in our power to do something about it."Obama also said he's had to "make statements like this too many times," a reference to some of the rampages that have occurred during his presidency. Since Obama took office in 2009, the U.S. has been shaken by multiple high-profile mass killings involving guns, including shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado and two separate incidents at Fort Hood.
As a former litigator, the President should be aware that it is common for most states to have a law restricting those who have been charged with a felony from possessing a firearm. South Carolina is no different.Why is the media not reporting this aspect of the story?Media sources are reporting Roof’s criminal past, but they are not making the obvious connection that he was already facing prohibition from firearm possession.The New York Times reported on Dylann Roof’s recent brushes with the law. The first, which occurred in February, has a felony drug charge attached to it that would have prevented Roof from possessing a firearm.
When a police officer questioned Mr. Roof, he “began speaking very nervously and stated that his parents were pressuring him to get a job,” but then admitted that he had not asked for applications at any of the stores, the report said.Asked if he had any contraband, Mr. Roof said no, according to the report, but the officer searched him and found Suboxone, a prescription drug used to treat opiate addiction and frequently sold in illegal street transactions. Mr. Roof admitted that he did not have a prescription for the drug, the report said, and he was arrested and charged with felony drug possession. The case is pending.
There are already laws in place that prohibit individuals facing felony charges or who have been convicted of a felony from owning a gun. These laws are intended to prevent criminals from gaining access to a weapon that could potentially assist in the commissioning of more crimes. This terrible tragedy provides more proof that laws like this do not always serve their intended purpose.Unfortunately, we live a world where dangerous individuals could be lurking around any corner. Rather than passing legislation that purports to mitigate this threat by disarming more law-abiding citizens, we need more citizens who are willing to strike down these psychopaths, by accepting the responsibility of carrying a gun for the purposes of self-defense. Of course, this is contingent upon lawmakers and politicians passing laws that afford individuals the right to defend themselves.Check out the full archive of Felony Friday!The Lions of Liberty are on Twitter, Facebook & Google+Check out our YouTube Channel!Receive access to ALL of our EXCLUSIVE bonus audio content – including “Conspiracy Corner”, “Degenerate Gamblers” and the “League of Liberty Podcast” by joining the Lions of Liberty Pride and supporting us on Patreon!Join our brand new Facebook Group: The Lions of Liberty Forum
