Are "gun free zones" doing any good?

[jkroner659]

When you think where all the mass shootings take place, you think of columbine, the amish school right here in pa...etc. All these shooting happend in a "gun free zone". So the question is, is this just a feel good law like i believe? Or do some of you think its a good idea to keep school a gun free zone. While i think we all agree that no student should carry (probably too young anyways), why ban the teachers and security and regular civilians of the right to protect themselves.

Columbine could have been stopped by a armed teacher carrying a conceiled 44 snub. But instead we had to watch the police "think" for 45 mins while people were still being shot. Its not thier fault they were just trying to get a good plan in place and execute it, but it took too long. So whats the point of a gun free zone when criminals will just break the law anyways and bring them there? I understand that there is increased penalties for carrying in a gun free zone but i think there should just be an increased penalty for non permit holding citizens and let the rest us law abiding people carry in the sacred hollowed grounds....I promise this poll will be alot more fair than my last one.

[JustinM]

No, they do not work. Criminals won;t stop at the door of the bank they intend to rob when they see the gun buster sticker on the window.

That being said

I carry everywhere but federal buildings and court houses.

[axmdr40]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

actually, the only thing funny about "gun free zones" is the idiocy of the people who think that they do anything to protect people.

[awkx]

A "gun-free zone" is worse than useless if it is not enforced by metal detectors or other effective means. As others have pointed out, criminals would not hesitate to ignore the "gun-free" status. Also, cf. www.catb.org/~esr/guns/reductio.html.

However, I can see a good argument being made for prohibiting most people (attorneys, judges, LEOs, etc. being exempted) from carrying guns in courts that are hearing mob or gang cases.

[TRB]

Just like most other gun control schemes, a gun free zone does little good. Criminals and the mentally ill will ignore the signs. Only the sane and the law abiding will respect the sign thereby turning themselves into targets or victims. Writing these words on a gun forum does little good. The people that need to read them don't come here. How does the word get out to the people that need to read them?

[Lycanthrope]

Originally Posted by TRB

Just like most other gun control schemes, a gun free zone does little good. Criminals and the mentally ill will ignore the signs. Only the sane and the law abiding will respect the sign thereby turning themselves into targets or victims. Writing these words on a gun forum does little good. The people that need to read them don't come here. How does the word get out to the people that need to read them?

Go post at the Democratic Underground.

Lycanthisshouldbeinterestingthrope

[1911shooter]

The only people not carrying a gun in gunfree zones is Lawabiding citizens.... they are a hunting ground for the BG's they dont have any fear of being countered in their actions.... they are a joke and should be done away with....... like has always been said by the very nature of their caree choice they are going to break the law. so the only people you hurt are lawful citizens.........

[KeithPA]

Ummm

Has anyone actually been charged with violating a gun free zone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Lopez As we all know gun free school zones was overturned and then reenacted. I don't think anyone has ever been charged with violating the rewritten law as they only changed about 17 words.

[phillyd2]

Sorry but I'm not following this. You mean to say that putting up a sign would reduce crime? Reminds me of being asked if I had any explosive hidden in my bags when last I flew. "Oh gee officer, I had no issue with killing hundreds but I draw the line at lying, I guess you got me". Damn, I'm going to cancel our security service and just put up a sign saying "No Stealing Allowed". Yeah, feel safer already

[LorDiego01]

I always thought a Gun Free Zone was a zone where criminals have the freedom to come in and prey on subjects of the state.... for free of-course.