By SJ Otto
A little over a week ago a 16 year old boy was shot, as he took part in an armed robbery December 28, at the B & H Fast Trip convenience store on S. Seneca. I realize that taking part in an armed robbery is dangerous to both the robbers and the people being robbed. But once again a bystander with a concealed hand gun killed one of the kid robbers. They were kids. I really question how important it was to kill a 16 year old kid. The other robbers got away with some cash and miscellaneous items that probably weren't worth that much. No store employees or bystanders where hurt. Just one 16 year old shot in the head when a person in the crowd pulled out a gun and started shooting. The shooter was 42 years. It often seems that people who get shot by conceal carry people are usually very young and the shooters are usually much older.
Once again we see Kansas Kansas
This was Wichita Wichita
I have to wonder whether we as a society are really safer since stand-your-ground was passed. According to The Wichita Eagle:
"Before Kansas
That’s no longer the case. Kansas Kansas
It may be reasonable for a person to defend their property, but if the robbery had taken place before the days of stand-your-ground, this kid would probably still be alive. Chances are good that these robbers will be caught. So we have to wonder if the loss of life, especially such a young one, was really worth what ever money they took.
Stand-your-ground was passed as part of a process by right-wing gun nuts who are determined to arm conservatives to the teeth. Fist they wanted to carry guns. After that they had to pass laws making it nearly impossible to prosecute them if they shoot someone under questionable circumstances, or if they accidently kill the wrong person. This law tries to protect those who miss-use their guns. The conservatives behind this want a society where anyone can shoot someone —anyone, for any reason and then claim they were afraid for their lives. Any law that shields someone from being accountable for their actions is a dangerous law.
Some local anti-gun groups here in Wichita
I oppose changing that law because at present any person can carry a gun. Before that change, people had to pay about $300 for classes and the permit to carry the gun. If they want to change this law, they need to lower the amount of money it takes to get a permit. Poor people should have the same rights as wealthy people to carry a gun.
I'm not against people carrying guns, but I believe those who carry them should be held accountable for what they do with them. There needs to be some restraint on those who carry guns. We aren't safe if a person can shoot us, as in a case of mistaken identity, and the shooter won't be held accountable simply because he/she claims they were in danger.
We need to repeal stand-your-ground laws. We control what police do with guns, why shouldn't a common citizen be held to the same standards.
