Continued Violence in Indianapolis
After 40 years of practicing as a criminal defense attorney, I have had a firsthand view of violence in our community. With the death of Indianapolis Officer Renn and the shooting of 7 citizens in Broad Ripple, the response of Public Safety Director Riggs is to proclaim that “the city…was attacked”. If that is the case, then history dictates that we must take steps to disarm the enemy.
However, our entire political system buries it’s head in the sand because the enemy is us. The bottom line is that the problem begins and ends with guns, and we continue to pretend that there is no connection. Our political leaders and commentators call on the public to pray for the victims and move on.
Let me say that the time to move on ends now. The NRA is preaching a false prophecy while doing the bidding of gun manufacturers. How many more law enforcement officers must die before we simply say that enough is enough?
Many of us are sick and tired of listening to politicians extol the virtue of the right to bear arms. Why are the streets of Indianapolis any different than the City-County Building, the Federal Building, Pacer games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse or Colts games at Lucas Oil Stadium where metal detectors are used? Are the lives of average people less important?
We can fully honor the Second Amendment if we simply institute the same rules that apply to driving on our open roads. What’s wrong with a yearly license and registration requirement, not to mention insurance? What’s wrong with banning assault rifles like the one used to kill Officer Renn. Other than ego, what does anyone gain by owning one?
Furthermore, let’s put some teeth into our laws concerning the possession of unlicensed firearms. It is a lowly Class A misdemeanor now, which is insulting. Make it a felony with mandatory jail time and cause the public to think before acting.
As a movie fan and amateur reviewer, I still remember the old TV series, “Gunsmoke” (1955-1975). Miss Kitty, played by Amanda Blake, ran the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City in the 1800s, and she required all cowboys to check their guns at the door before entering to get drunk, gamble and fraternize with pretty women. She knew how to let boys be boys and still maintain order
Quite frankly, it’s time that we have a Miss Kitty rule apply to our society. Let’s honor Officer Renn to ensure that he didn’t die in vain.
