Understanding Gun Violence in Illinois

Gun violence has to be looked at from both sides of the coin, especially when you have different factors that lead to increased gun violence in some parts

of Illinois compared to some of the smaller towns and cities throughout the state. We cannot continue to blame the legal gun owners for the gang violence

in cities like Chicago, Decatur, Peoria, and many other cities in Illinois. Thousands of young men have become locked into a mentality that using a gun

should be their first and only response to any conflict or perceived threat. This would be considered more of a thinking problem than a serious gun

problem. Due to that level of thinking, the old saying "guns don't kill people, people kill people" holds true. Considering that guns are easily accessible

the choice to use it is solely up to the individual involved in the conflict or the individual that feels threatened. Now some people will argue that guns

are the problem but the truth of the matter is there is no data to support the fact that legal gun owners contribute to the overall gun

violence statistics in Illinois.

Police can only do so much in the area of reducing gun violence in their city because people have already determined how they plan to respond to any

situation that may get out of control. You never know when somebody will pull the trigger in a heated situation. Gun violence should be treated as a public health problem because you cannot arrest your way out of an epidemic

that infects people's minds. The epidemic of gun violence has been passed down since the "cowboy and Indian" days in America and we have to work harder to

help people understand that it's okay to walk away from a bad situation before hurting somebody.

The practice of penalizing legal gun owners will not reduce the levels of gun violence. Illinois just like any other state should close every loophole in

the law that will allow illegal guns to be placed in the hands of the wrong people with malicious intent. Guns and violence will always be a major problem.

Thousands of people are worried about the new Conceal Carry Law in Chicago and

there is no real need to worry based on the background of the majority of convicted shooters in Illinois. Most of the shooters have a criminal background and they will never be in a position to purchase a legal gun. However, the illegal gun market is a major industry and lawmakers should

explore ways to work with different states to make sure that any illegal guns purchased in their state are dealt with in the swiftest way possible. We have

to work harder to stop the flow of illegal guns from crossing over into Illinois.

Eliminate the illegal gun market and you can reduce gun violencein the state of Illinois.

from Chicago - The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tio-hardiman/understanding-gun-violence_b_4312374.html?utm_hp_ref=chicago&ir=Chicago

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