Incidents Indicate Scrutiny of Guns in Public Places Is Desperately Needed

May 27, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Three incidents in two weeks involving people carrying guns in public places has left three people dead, three injured, and a family terrified. 

On May 9, an open carry advocate shot two men, one fatally, on a Milwaukee street.  In Fruitport Township, Michigan, a concealed carry permit holder pointed his gun and threatened a fellow parent at a kids’ soccer game on May 15.  And on May 20, a disgruntled Ohio man and his 16-year-old son opened fired with AK-47 assault rifles during a traffic stop, in West Memphis, Arkansas.  Two police officers died, and the father and son were later killed in a shootout that left two other police officers injured. 

“These incidents show the costs, in death, injury, and fear, of allowing loaded guns in public places,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign.  “The gun lobby often says that since there isn’t blood running in the streets, carrying guns in public places is safe.  My question is: how much blood needs to be shed for the gun lobby to care?  How much more death and suffering, as a country, do we tolerate?”

Legislation to ban the open carrying of handguns in public is currently being considered by the California State Legislature.  The legislation, AB 1934, authored by Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) and supported by the California Brady Campaign Chapters, the California Police Chiefs Association and Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), is a reaction to open carry advocates, like the Milwaukee man in the May 9th incident, flouting their guns in parks, restaurants, and Starbucks where families gather.

The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence recently released the results of a poll that found a majority of the public do not feel safe with guns in public places.  The poll was conducted April 26-28 by Lake Research Partners.  Among the findings:

·  Fifty-two percent oppose allowing people in general, not just those connected to law enforcement, to carry loaded guns openly in public;

·  Fifty percent of voters feel less safe knowing that people not connected to law enforcement can carry guns in public, while 38 percent feel more safe.

·  A majority - 51 percent of those polled - said they were less likely to vote for a candidate who makes it easier for people to carry loaded guns in public, compared to 27 percent who were more likely to support such a candidate. Fully 63 percent of women said they were less likely to vote for a candidate who makes it easier to carry guns in public.

·  When it comes to concealed weapons, 57 percent of respondents said they felt less safe knowing people can carry loaded, concealed guns in public.  Fully 39 percent of respondents said they felt much less safe knowing that people may be carrying concealed, loaded weapons.

·  Women across all groups oppose open carry broadly - 76 percent of women of color, 68 percent of urban women and older women, 59 percent of suburban women 55 percent of younger women and a majority of rural women.

In its report Law Enforcement and Private Citizens Killed by Concealed Handgun Permit Holders, the Violence Policy Center found that in a two-year period, from May 2007 to April 2009, concealed carry permit holders killed more than 50 people, including seven law enforcement officers. 

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The Brady Campaign is the nation's largest citizens' lobby to prevent gun violence. We represent the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans who are tired of living with the constant tragedy of gun violence and are in favor of strong laws and policies that will save lives. We are the light that exposes politicians who are putting the American people at risk, empowering the American people to hold them accountable for decisions and actions that undermine public safety.

We are driven by the focused vision of a nation where all Americans are safe at home, at work, at school, and in our communities.

Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.

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