In the heart of America, Chicago’s stringent gun laws are proving to be a boon for armed criminals. The city’s law-abiding citizens, disarmed by these regulations, have become easy targets for those who choose to flout the law.
Over a single twelve-hour span, at least 30 people fell victim to armed robbers, including a news crew reporting live from the scene of a previous robbery.
The incident involving the news crew occurred in the early hours of Monday on the 1200 block of North Milwaukee. Three or four masked men, armed with a rifle and handguns, approached the crew and robbed them.
The robbers, described as black males wearing ski masks, arrived in a black SUV and a gray sedan. They swiftly took the victims’ belongings and fled southbound. This marked the second time this month that a Chicago TV news unit had been targeted.
Earlier that night, a woman was carjacked on the same block. Three men emerged from a blue sedan, one of them brandishing a gun, and commandeered her white Ford Escape.
These incidents are part of a worrying trend of escalating robberies across the city, with criminals seemingly unafraid of being apprehended.
The Chicago Police Department’s most recent annual report paints a grim picture. In 2021, arrests were made in only 28% of reported robberies.
This figure plummeted to a mere 20% last year. Out of 8,973 reported incidents, arrests were made in only 1,807 cases. This means that the vast majority of armed robbers are escaping justice, leaving their victims violated and defenseless.
The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago have made it challenging for residents to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms for self-defense. However, there have been instances where armed citizens have successfully defended themselves against attackers.
Perhaps it’s time for employers, like the TV station, to provide their staff with the necessary training for a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit. This could equip them with the means to protect themselves if they are targeted again.
According to the Chicago police, a gray sedan was used in multiple robberies over the weekend, with dozens of victims recounting similar encounters with armed men.
While homicides in Chicago have decreased by approximately 7% this year compared to 2022, the number of reported robberies is skyrocketing.
Alderman Daniel La Spata promised his constituents over a month ago that the police had a “concrete and collaborative plan” to tackle the rampant robberies. However, despite some successes, the robberies continue unabated.
Robbery reports have surged by 22% this year, with areas like Humboldt Park, West Town, and Logan Square being particularly affected. In the Austin District, robberies have increased by a staggering 107% this year.
Chicago’s restrictive gun laws are failing the city’s residents. Instead of protecting the innocent, the are empowering the criminals. It’s high time for a reevaluation of these policies, lest the city continues to be held hostage by those who disregard the law.