Reply #66: If gun bans actually worked, I might agree ...

[spin]

Unfortunately, they have proven to be ineffective.

I don't seriously believe that you feel that Chicago has proven to be an outstanding example of how banning items such as handguns works. Mayor Daley has done everything he could and will continue to make handguns difficult to obtain and yet despite all his efforts, Chicago has a major problem with firearm violence.

I agree that allowing the citizens of Chicago to own handguns for self defense will not resolve the problem of criminal and organized drug gangs to commit violence. It may allow some citizens to successfully defend themselves against serious attacks such as home invasions or intimidation by organized drug gangs. This in itself is worthwhile.

But the real solution is far more complex. Poverty and the lack of economic opportunity and education compose a large part of the problem. Our war on drugs is a total failure as prohibition never works but in fact empowers criminal elements to prosper and gain power.

Solving the root problems is very complex and expensive. For political reasons, the people we elect are reluctant to spend the necessary money and effort to address the root problems. It's far easier to pass "feel good" laws which make our elected politicians to appear that they are concerned and involved. Such tactics work in the short time to gain voter confidence but fail over the long run. Such laws are words on paper that fail to accomplish anything, but they are inexpensive and gain reelection for those who support them. To all to many of those we elect, reelection is the only goal. You win by appealing to your base and if your base believes that firearms are the problem and you push for laws that restrict or ban firearms you get reelected.

The real solution might involve admitting the war on drugs has failed and legalizing may current illegal drugs. It might also involve moving our education system into the current century and interesting students into actually enjoying learning and education through the use of computers and computer programs that impart lesson far better than an unqualified teacher and a blackboard. It will require more police on the streets and the use of proactive policies to combat crime. It might require the reestablishment of industry in our country and providing well paying jobs in our nation rather than outsourcing factories to other nations. Not every student will go to college, yet we have to provide a chance for the opportunity for all of our citizens to achieve a standard of good living or we will be faced with increasing numbers of those who will resort to crime as a solution to poverty.

The solutions are expensive but ignoring the base roots of the problems we face and instead passing "feel good" laws will do little or nothing to change our problems.