Too Many Guns On Our Streets?

Amid the uproar about NBA star Dwyane Wade's cousin, Nykea Aldridge, being shot and killed in Chicago after being caught in the middle of a gun fight between two brothers, some have called for gun control because they believe there are too many guns on our streets.

This is true. We do have too many guns on our streets. But it is also true that the two brothers who murdered Nykea were convicted felons who would have never passed a background check if they attempted to buy a gun legally.  So, their guns were illegally obtained on the streets.  And no amount of gun control is going to solve that problem.  In the same way drug laws have not eliminated drugs.

One of these guys was on parole; thanks to an early release.  The other had six felony arrests.  That, to me, is the real problem.  We have too many felons on the streets who can access guns with criminal intent.  Right now the mood in this country is to empty prisons in order to reverse mass incarcerations. This push is being promoted by the political left and black activists.  President Obama just release 111 felons from federal prisons; 35 of which were serving life sentences.  Prior to that release, he had given clemency to a record 214 federal prisoners; all felons.

I think we need to stop the early release of felons so the killing of people like Nykea Aldridge can be avoided.  I live in Las Vegas, and this year crime has spiked. One of the reasons for the spike is the influx of felons from early release programs in California.  Releasing people without the promise of a job and without reform is insanity.

References:

Two brothers arrested in shooting death of basketball star Dwyane Wade’s cousin: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/08/28/two-brothers-arrested-in-shooting-death-of-basketball-star-dwyane-wades-cousin/?utm_term=.d5434294b361

Top cop on holiday violence: Too many guns on street, maybe not enough officers: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-shootings-july-holiday-weekend-20160705-story.html

Obama Grants Clemency To 111 Prisoners: http://www.npr.org/2016/08/30/491964417/obama-grants-clemency-to-100-prisoners-doj-confident-it-will-clear-backlog

Obama issues record-breaking 214 commutations: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/03/obama-issues-record-breaking-214-commutations/88007750/

Crime and Guns: http://www.gunfacts.info/gun-control-myths/crime-and-guns/

Las Vegas crime spike blamed on police shortage and California prison policy: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/31/las-vegas-violent-crimes-police-shortage-california-gangs

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