The massacre at the mall in El Paso last week demonstrated the value of legislation allowing the concealed carry of firearms, sparing the lives of innocent people. According to an official statement from the El Paso police, civilian Emanuel Duran neutralized a hostile youngster with his legally acquired and licensed weapon. When Duran drew his handgun and shot the suspect as he ran toward him and onlookers, the suspect was carrying a firearm that had been unlawfully obtained.
In a difficult scenario, a good guy with a gun stopped more violence, but the CNN piece neglected to mention that most mass shootings take place in “gun-free” areas and that illegal shootings by Americans with legally acquired firearms are nearly unheard of. This incident serves as yet another illustration of how permitting law-abiding people to carry firearms could result in lives being saved when utilized appropriately in dangerous situations, such as the one that occurred at the El Paso mall last week.
Beyond lowering crime, proponents of stronger gun legislation have other agendas, such as advancing a goal unrelated to public safety or even impeding Second Amendment rights. It is crucial to remember that criminals break the law regardless of what it is, therefore adding more limitations on guns will probably not appreciably lower crime. Research shows that the prevalence of concealed carry has decreased crime rates over time, demonstrating the power of responsible gun ownership as a deterrent to crime.
As criminals have little motivation to commit crimes and may even be afraid of encountering armed resistance from law-abiding individuals, as was the case in the mall shooting in El Paso last week, lawful handgun ownership frequently deters crime. Despite having no personal connections to any of the parties, Duran acted bravely and selflessly to protect people who were close to him. Without his quick thinking and easy access to a legally possessed pistol, this aggressive person who didn’t give a damn about any gun laws or regulations may have injured or murdered more people.
It goes without saying that, when used responsibly and legally, guns carried by civilians save lives. This recent incident serves as an example of how concealed carry can stop potential harm before it is committed instead of reacting after it occurs, which regrettably happens all too often without any defense because of gun-free zones prohibiting legal possession of firearms on premises where they may be needed most: places like schools, malls, universities, and churches, among other public spaces where violence can erupt suddenly without warning.
We must advocate for responsibility among all people who choose to exercise their Second Amendment right in order to protect themselves and those around them from danger both seen and unseen in the future while recognizing the significance and power of legal firearm ownership.
