It’s Time to Arm More Good People
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* Re “Seeking Right, Wrong in Wake of Shooting,” by columnist Jerry Hicks, July 22:
Hicks excused an armed robber who was shot and killed by his vendor victim, saying that the poor gunman had societal pressures to join a gang and commit robberies.
Hicks said a shooting could have been avoided if the vendor had not been armed. He said it was a sad day for everyone concerned because the criminal had a family and because the shooting put the vendor’s life in danger.
If Hicks’ attitude is widespread it’s no wonder our violent crime problem is out of control.
When that crook pointed his gun at the vendor, he was saying, “Give me your goods or I will kill you. Maybe I’ll kill you anyway.”
The vendor’s life was already at risk when he shot. That crook not only deserved to die, his death was a great favor to decent society.
Thank God we still have people with guts like that vendor and unlike Hicks.
Crime is everyone’s problem, not just the police’s, and it will take all of us to beat it. Now we must arm more good citizens.
JOHN HAMAKER
Laguna Niguel
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