The recent upsurge in the state of criminal activities and massacres has become a primary cause of concern not only to the legal authorities of the state of Illinois but to the entire populace as well. The high rate of loss of life has infuriated the general population of Illinois âat state legislators who have refused to grant citizens the right to carry concealed handgunsâ (Simon Stephanie, 2005). The ruthless massacres occurring at all public places including holy and religious places have increased the need for self defense among individuals.
According to the article in L.A. Times, the ârecent bloodshedâ has seriously impacted the debate for legal control of guns and firearms in the states of Arizona, Illinois, Iowa and Washington (Simon Stephanie, 2005). As such, it has become essential for the legal authorities to permit people to carry firearms in self defense.
What is alarming is the fact that only two states, âWisconsin and Illinoisâ refuse citizens the legal right to carry guns for self defense against criminals, whereas most states have granted people the âRight-to-Carryâ (RTC). The right to self-defense is a fundamental right of the citizens of the United States of America and the RTC laws respect this right of the citizens, therefore, individuals must be allowed to carry firearms in order to protect themselves.
Research and history have proven that the rate of violent crimes in the years 2004 and 2005, were the lowest since 1976 (BJS & FBI). Reports from the BATF confirm that since the year 1991, the rate of violent crimes has dropped substantially by thirty-eight percent, following the adoption of the RTC by twenty-three states, which increased the number of privately owned guns by w hopping seventy million. The FBI further affirms that the RTC states had lower crime rates as compared to the other states which did not have RTC (Note 1, FBI).
Researcher John Lott (1996) has noted that states which have did not adopt RTC have produced elevated rates of crimes as compared to states which adopted RTC and have shown marked reduction in the crime rates.
An article concerning a Michigan RTC law brushed aside false concerns of authorities who felt that permits to hold guns and firearms would increase the rates of elevated crimes due to high tempers in incidents such as traffic accidents and would be a serious threat to police officers. These concerns have also been falsified by National surveys that support the RTC law (Detroit News, 2001). It has also been proved that citizens, who have the RTC permit, are law abiding and are not likely to involve in crimes (Florida Division of Licensing).
Finally, the right to self-defense is a right that has been recognized more than thousands of years ago. Individuals have the fundamental right to protect themselves if they perceive danger to their lives and therefore, the right to hold and carry guns or firearms for the purpose of self defense and âpersonal securityâ is valid and should be granted to citizens of Illinois.
The state of Illinois must realize and accept that the right to hold and carry fire arms and guns for the sake of personal security is a fundamental right of the citizens and considering the high growth in the rate of crimes and brutal massacres, the state authorities should grant this ever important right to its citizens. The legal authorities should accept that the right to self defense is âfounded in the law of nature and cannot be âsuperseded by any law of societyâ.
References
BJS and FBI. Web.
BJS, âCriminal Victimization 2005â. Web.
BATF, âFirearms Commerce in the United States 2001/2002â. Web.
Detroit News, (2001). âShould Michigan keep new concealed weapon law? Donât believe gun foe scare tactics,â.
Dowlut, Knoop, (1982). âState Constitutions and The Right to Keep and Bear Arms,â Okla. City Univ. Law Review, p. 183.
Florida Division of Licensing, Monthly Statistical Report. Web.
Lott, John (1996). âCrime, Deterrence, and Right To Carry Concealed Handgunsâ.
Note 1, FBI. Web.
Stephanie Simon, (2005). Gun Violence Renews Legislative Debate. Los Angeles Times. Web.
Stephen P. Halbrook, (1994). That Every Man Be Armed, The Independent Institute, pp. 17, 54.