Authored by John R. Lott Jr. via RealClearPolitics,
Two recent attacks in the United States ended in starkly different ways.
At a Walmart in Michigan, a stabbing incident was halted by an armed man—a Marine veteran—who happened to have his pistol on him despite forgetting to remove it after a visit to the shooting range. Despite eyewitness accounts confirming that others who attempted to stop the attacker were stabbed, it was the Marine with a gun who ultimately put an end to the violence before first responders arrived. Interestingly, major news outlets like the New York Times, Associated Press, Washington Post, NPR, NBC News, and BBC failed to mention the crucial role of the firearm in stopping the attack. It is worth noting that the hero who intervened is black, while the attacker is white, which may have influenced media coverage.
This incident is just one among many. Between January 2021 and December 2024, concealed handgun permit holders thwarted 37 attacks that had the potential to escalate into mass shootings according to law enforcement reports. However, these acts of bravery often go unnoticed by the national media.
Unfortunately, following a recent attack in New York City, Democratic leaders drew misguided conclusions. New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded by calling for a federal ban on assault weapons and attributing the tragedy to the absence of such legislation.
The strict gun control laws in place in New York City prevented any armed civilians from intervening in the attack that claimed four lives. The perpetrator, who violated multiple gun laws, openly carried a rifle that was illegal in the state. Despite the stringent regulations on gun ownership, law-abiding citizens were left defenseless while the criminal had free rein.
The harsh reality is that individuals intent on causing harm are not deterred by stricter gun control measures. The burden of these laws falls on law-abiding citizens who risk inadvertently violating them and facing life-altering consequences. Ultimately, the laws designed to prevent crime end up disarming those who seek to protect themselves.
The trend of mass shooters targeting locations with strict gun laws is well-documented. While the motives of the New York City attacker remain unclear, the pattern of attackers exploiting gun-free zones is a recurring theme in such tragedies.
In the New York City incident, two of the victims were security guards, highlighting the immense challenges faced by law enforcement in stopping active shooter situations. Uniformed police officers are often the first targets for attackers, who exploit their visibility to maximize casualties. Despite civilians being more effective at halting such attacks, law enforcement personnel are at greater risk, as evidenced by the higher number of officers killed in such incidents compared to civilians with concealed carry permits.
Instead of rushing to enact new laws after each tragedy, policymakers should acknowledge the inherent flaw in strict gun control measures that disarm law-abiding citizens and leave them vulnerable to attacks. The focus should be on empowering individuals to defend themselves against threats rather than restricting their ability to do so.
John R. Lott Jr. is a contributor to RealClearInvestigations, with a focus on voting and gun rights. His work has been featured in prominent publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today. Lott is an economist who has held research and teaching positions at several prestigious universities.
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