Mass Shootings Prompt Legislative Response
By
Alan Korwin, Author of
Gun Laws
of America
Dec. 11, 2007
In the wake of
recent public shootings, at least one state will again introduce the
bill that says if you create a so-called "gun-free zone" you are liable
for any harm it causes. Model language:
http://www.gunlaws.com/GFZ/GFZ-BillReview.htm.
The Gun-Free-Zone Liability Act of 2008 doesn't prevent public places
from posting signs that ban the civil right to keep and bear arms. The
zones however are known to be dangerous, as recent shootings at Virginia
Tech and an Omaha shopping mall have demonstrated. The proposed law only
addresses the negligent nature of such zones, making those responsible
for disarming innocent bystanders liable for damages. It has no direct
cost to government.
According to leading experts, "gun-free zones" are fraudulent, because
no alternate means of security is provided, and even FBI-certified
firearms owners cannot enter. This leaves only the criminal element
armed, and free to wreak havoc without a meaningful deterrent.
Concealed-weapon laws enacted in most states were designed to counteract
random shootings, but are defeated by the recklessly created zones that
are anything but gun free.
As if to demonstrate the bill's value, a private citizen with a CCW
permit in Colorado shot and killed a madman intent on wiping out a
congregation at church. The news media, behaving in a now-familiar
manner, played down the incident, referring to the woman as a security
guard.
http://instapundit.com/archives2/012740.php
The Associated Press headline, "Megachurches expand use of security
forces," essentially hides what actually happened. The Uninvited
Ombudsman, in a report due shortly, suggests a more descriptive headline
of "CCW-Permit Holder Kills Murderer, Saves Lives."
The bill language and background was mentioned and linked yesterday by
Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit, and has increased interest in the bill,
set to be introduced in Arizona in January. It was last introduced in
Arizona in 2003, and Georgia also introduced a version of the
personal-safety legislation.
Alan
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