Traffic shootings: The exception that proves the rule
March 21st 2007 00:05
Every time a state legislature debates letting their citizens carry concealed weapons, someone inevitably brings up a scenario where two people get into an accident, and one of them gets so mad he shoots the other.
But as John Lott once said:
"Despite millions of people licensed to carry concealed handguns and many states having these laws for decades, there has only been one case where a person with a permit used a gun after a traffic accident and even in that one case it was in self-defense."
Well, make that two, and this time it's an aggravated response to tailgating. From the Free Press:
"Police say that Headd pulled her 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier alongside the pickup as the two vehicles traveled down I-94 in Harrison Township last month.
"She then grabbed the 9mm pistol she's been licensed to carry for nine years, pointed it out of the window and fired at the tires of the truck driven by a New Baltimore man, police say."
The fact it made national news further signifies how rare this is. And even this didn't hurt anyone:
"Law enforcement officials say there's no excuse: What if the stray bullet hit someone?"
Of course, in terms of personal behavior. But statistically, the relevant fact is that it didn't. So to date, no one has died or been injured by a concealed carry permit holder after a car accident.
By Robert VerBruggen
But as John Lott once said:
"Despite millions of people licensed to carry concealed handguns and many states having these laws for decades, there has only been one case where a person with a permit used a gun after a traffic accident and even in that one case it was in self-defense."
Well, make that two, and this time it's an aggravated response to tailgating. From the Free Press:
"Police say that Headd pulled her 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier alongside the pickup as the two vehicles traveled down I-94 in Harrison Township last month.
"She then grabbed the 9mm pistol she's been licensed to carry for nine years, pointed it out of the window and fired at the tires of the truck driven by a New Baltimore man, police say."
The fact it made national news further signifies how rare this is. And even this didn't hurt anyone:
"Law enforcement officials say there's no excuse: What if the stray bullet hit someone?"
Of course, in terms of personal behavior. But statistically, the relevant fact is that it didn't. So to date, no one has died or been injured by a concealed carry permit holder after a car accident.
By Robert VerBruggen
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