Top News

Viewer Comments On Preventing Gun Violence

We asked what you think YOU can do to stop the violence in Chicago. Here are your responses:

Allow the citizens of chicago to own handguns. This is the only solution...can you name another? Gun laws INHERENTLY prevent law abiding citizens from possessing guns and insure that the criminals (who don't pay a damn bit of attention to gun laws) are emboldened to do whatever they want...after all, they outgun the populace because of the idiotic gun laws. I wish I could have attended Hizzoners little press conference. I would have posed the question...were any of the recent shootings the result of legally owned and operated firearms? It is very doubtful. When you criminalize guns, you insure that only criminals will have them. Question: How often do you think Mayor Daley goes outdoors without someone around him possessing firearms for his protection? Answer: Never! As someone who does business on the south side quite a bit, I've got myself a little rat gun for the little rats I may run into on the south side, so do most of my associates, the mayors' laws be damned...it's better to have a gun and not need one than to need one and not have it. Anyway, Chicagos' gun laws are going to go the way of the dinosaur as soon as the Supreme Court overthrows Washington D.C.'s misguided gun laws.
--Brett Kelley

I am a solution architect on a team with Microsoft and the National Dropout Prevention Center who have a solution that is being piloted in Alaska, Mississippi, South Carolina and New Jersey that can reduce dropout, truancy, and violence and keep children safe and successful in school, instead of engaging in gang and gun violence.
--Steve Trubow

I am working constantly to instill values in my grandson who is 12, i.e. anger management, value of education, forgiveness, etc. He is also receiving consistent spiritual teachings and principles of Christianity. --Gloria Norwood

In high crime areas use checkpoints similar to the ones used on holiday's for DUI's. Randomly search the vehicles for guns. --Kevin

Instead of making it harder for honest gun owners to own or purchase a hand gun,shotgun or a rifle. Start enforcing the laws allready on the books. Go after the illeagle gun sellers/dealers and owners. Then put them on trial and when found gulity give them the maxium jail time allowed. with no chance of parole. Also take there dealer license away if they have one. If a gun they sold is used in a crime get them as an accessory. After all the crime would not of been done if they wouldn't of sold the gun to the person. Now in a private sale. No sale should be completed unless the person buying the weapon has a FOID card. Then the seller must send a bill of sale to the Il. State Police with the buyers FOID number on it so the weapon is now registered in the buyers name. That way the Police can check if that person has the right to own the weapon.If its found out that the buyer can't own one or posess one then the police arrest him for that law. Its not that hard. -- William Hickok

1. Promote love by loving 2. Educate young parents on how to treat their love ones. -- Stan Metoyer

I think that gangs are our homeland terrorists, they go around terrorizing our neighborhoods. All gang members should be arrested and brouht somewere like Cuba, with all their rights stripped away. then we would see the gang violence disappear. What are the new terroist laws for if we can't even use them in our own back yard? Sick of gangs making us law abiding gun owners look bad. We need to conceal and carry so the crime rate will fall like in other states that allow there citizens to do. --concerned citizen.

I can start by controlling my anger. Sure I get mad when someone cuts me off in traffic but not mad enough that I need to shoot them! I don't understand people who need to solve issues with a gun. So you are mad at your boyfriend/girlfriend, neighbor, rival gang member, etc. Shooting over gang territory is the worst. There are plenty of corners for everybody to stand on their own corner! Get over it and move on! Does it really solve the problem by shooting someone? People are so full of anger, it is very disturbing. --Suzanne Albright

Unhandcuff the police!!!! --"The Truth"

Guns don't cause violence,people do.Guns,baseball bats,fists,cars,drunk drivers,knives,feet,brass knuckles,etc all can be used as tools of violence. Blame irresponsibility of people.Inanimate objects are not responsible.
--Bill

If you have something to be scared of or something to lose I think it would stop people in some way- I think with the kids that are doing the shootings in the South Side...they need to be brought to the morgues-They need to be taken to the houses of the ones lost and see how real this is-It isn't a rap video or something to make rank-They are killing their own race out in the South Side-Take kids from middle school age to Seniors in HS to morgues, hospitals, prisons and to the houses were the victims once lived-Just b/c they kill someone doesn't make them richer, smarter or better off- - Tristan

Give back the power to the Police to shag everyone off corners and police the areas like they used to. I remember when a cop slapped you and scared you ,you never did it again. Look at CONCEALED WEAPONS STATES(34 total) crime has dropped over 50%.. I would rather be safe than sorry. And I do blame the parents,KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE??Get involved. But DON'T disarm a law-bidding citizen. Gangs will still get guns,no matter what strict law you pass.No respect for cops.. signed:: A COP

I was shocked hearing the violence happened in Chicago Area. In my opinion and that is what I believe, this obviously occurs because people have freedom to have guns. Law about gun ownership should be tightened. Asian region, as far as I now, in developing countries, have very few gun violence. Maybe we can consider that. One of my friends originated from there (Asia) said he would feel safer in his own country than in the US. Hope this makes sense to you. --Setiawan Soekamtoputra

For all of those that believe in the removal of firearms from society ask yourself this. Will violence and murder, rape, muggings, robbery, etc contine? I would say yes. I honestly don't believe removing guns from society will reduce violence. Take your wonderful city of Chicago with all the restrictive gun bans and guns laws. It really looks like gun control is working well for the city of Chicago. Gunbans don't work never have never will. – Ed

First unhandcuff the police and stop playing fear tactics with their jobs. After this recognize the fact that the extra violence began when the Mayor had the projects torn down and placed the different gangs in front of each other for the sake of making Sox Park and his old neighborhood a better place for certain folks. Fight the drug war more aggressively and definately make parents responsible for their children. Stop the chronyism. – Bill

Ask the community what would make them feel better about reporting crimes they may have witness. – Juanita

I think giving my 3 suggestions and have them put into action IMMEDIATELY can stop gun violence: 1 - Take "toy-guns" out of ALL toy stores. Why give children "gun" practice from infancy & toddlerhood then expect them not to use that practice later. Practice make perfect. 2. I agree with Cynthia, make the parents responsible for the actions of their children especially if the children live with their parents and if they are repeat offenders. 3. STOP "blaming" gang-violence as if to dismiss most of these precious lives being lost. – Grethel

I believe that Illinois should adopt a concealed gun law that allows citizens to have a gun tucked away, just in case. If people are able to defend themselves against criminals obviously stand a better chance. In fact, states that have already adopted concealed carry have had a 86% drop in murder alone, and an 82% drop in aggravated assault. – Debbie

I believe that parent intervention is needed immediately to stop the violence among school age children. I am a strong believer that parents are just not prepared for the issues children face today, and I with three of my collegues have started a parent coaching and intervention program ilooking for parents who want help and guidance. Before we can change the children we have to change the way they are raised. - Juhelia Thompson

For every person that is killed, a statue should be created and placed in a parkway close to where they died. This would not only honor the slain, but also create a lasting reminder of the gravity of the situation. As well as give life (as art) to the person that was shot. When these statues start to accumulate (unfortunately) no one will be able to ignore the problem. – Mae

ban all guns except for hunting rifles! since the 2nd amendment calls for a well armed militia - anyone who wants to own anything else can spend a couple of years in the armed forces and defend our county as a well armed militia!! make the laws tougher and enforce them and STOP pandering to the NRA!!!! - chris gerulat

I carry a gun. - 45StayAlive

Take the DRUGS out of the Community and if you don't do that, you will always have these kind of problems. STOP playing with our kids lifes. - Lee Jones

It starts right at home by teaching my children good sound values that are found in one of the oldest books in the world known as the Bible. - J. Munoz

I can learn how to fly so I can pilot the plane that will take all those that want to shoot to kill to Iraq. I bet crime will go down then. – Bradley

Get a list of known gang members, grab SWAT or national guard and round them up, even for a weekend to see how much the shootings drop. Do not say the plan is not practical when there are people at risk of dying. – Steven Allen

I'm afraid there is no simple solution. There ARE long term goals to reduce not just gun violence, but violent behavior period. -There needs to be funding for local community programs. -There needs to be better unity between our educators and parents. -We need an honest and realiable police force and then allow them to do their job. Not in a "rougue cop" fashion, but with dignity and respect to get the criminals and offenders off the street. -Incarcerations should mean rehabilitation NOT warehousing. -Children and adults alike need to have something to be proud about. Through pride and education comes success! So much money has been spent on war, loaning money to other countries, funding third world programs, fat Capital Hill spending... charity should begin here at home, Lawmakers and Politicians...are you listening to the cries of the masses effected by violence? Can you see the tears of our Nation pleading to bring about some kind of existance to be proud of? – K.S.

Support Gun Enforcement legislation! – Joe S.

Parents need to be held responsible for the actions of their children. Everytime a child is found with a gun, arrest the parent along with the child. Shut down all of the gun shops. Do a mass hunt for all of the bootleg gun sellers and put them all in jail. – Cynthia

in my oppion they need more law enforcement in these neighborhood that have a high crime rate and start protecting the innocent.but,still the law enforcement commmit the same crimes as well - bryeisha stanback

What needs to be done is to make chiago JUST LIKE TEXAS. If everyone had guns ppl. wouldnt be so fast to pull their gun out when everyone else that USED to be helpless has one as well......ARM THE PUBLIC SO WE CAN FIGHT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – Bill

Just need to take all the hand guns away from people Otherwise no end to the crime violence. --James Foster

I think that kids need to stay in a childs place and start listing to what thier parents is telling them.they are not safe at all it so hard for the kids. If I could make it safe for our children I would open a center where they could come and eat, play games, watch movies, talk about what going in school and with thier life, and just try to tell them to stay focus. --Patricia

What can you do to stop the violence? Leave the police alone and let them police. Stop the mass hate against the police, stop the head hunting against the police. This is what happens when you hand cuff the police instead of the criminals. This is the police department Mayor Daley and the citizens wanted. You have the warm and fuzzy police. too bad so sad. --Guy

I shall remind all of my children their responsibility of teaching their children the need for RESPECT shown to each other and, in particular, the laws of church and state along with respect for the people who carry these laws and enforce these laws. I believe it all starts in the HOME in teaching consideration, love and respect for one another. It is not the responsibility of either Church or State to TEACH these things. I am 70 years of age and have twelve children with 29 grandchildren and none of them has EVER spent a day in jail or been on trial for civil disobedience/lawbreaking. It makes me sooo sick that I have told my wife we should look towards moving away from the violence, greed and political criminals.......BUT WHERE DO WE GO!!?? --Thomas Adams

Honestly, can anything really be done? Those who want to protect themselves in their homes, have the right. But, why do they need a semi-automatic weapon to do so? And why do they need more than one gun to do it? Then be able to buy so many at one time and then a few months later buy 10 to 20 more. Gun disturbutors know that's it wrong but do they care, no. They just see profit. I can say stop selling guns all together, but that will never happen. If people were only allowed to buy one and that's it would that work? Maybe. But that will never happen. Start charging people who buy the guns then sell them to others who commit these crimes. With the same crime. But a much worst punishment. Will that work? Maybe. No one can honestly say what will work and what won't. But I know this much, what we're doing now is definitely not working. --Erica Porch

I would seriously consider a law allowing the carry of concealed weapons by trained civilians. More gun laws in an area that already has intense gun laws doesnt make sense, are we going to make them triple banned and hope criminals comply? I would also intensify the punishment of armed felons and weapon related crimes! --Doug Moss

What needs to be done to stop gun violence in Chicago is to legalize conceal weapons permits for all residence of Illinois who are not felons. The FBI has a magazine called the FBI journal which is distributed to all police departments in the United States. At one time the FBI journal had shown that 40 out of the 50 states had some form of conceal weapons permits for their citizens. The 10 states that do not allow conceal weapons permits have a much higher crime rate than the 40 states that allow their citizens to legally carry conceal weapons. If we disarm all the citizens (in which Mayor Daley had done to the citizens of Chicago)then only the crooks will be armed! Therefore, when a crook robs someone in Illinois they already know the responsible citizens are not allowed to carry a conceal weapon so the crook does not have to think: is this person armed or not? They already know the answer in Illinois!
--Joe Miller

There are no simple solutions to stopping violence in the city. However, there are things that can be done to help the situation.
1. Pass a cancealed carry law and Castle doctrine law so that law abiding citizens can protect themselves.
2. Get Daley out of office.
3. Prosecute gangbangers and other career crimminals to the fullest extent of the law and make them serve their entire sentences.
4. Enforce all of the exisitng laws we already have. Remember criminals break many laws long before they ever shoot someone. Arrest, prosecute and sentence them before they ever get the opportunity to kill.
5. Give the police the ability to do their jobs, stop tying their hands.
6. Get people in troubled neighborhoods to snitch on the local gangs.
7. Slap Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the rest of those lousdmouths with a gag order so they can keep thier ridiculous opinions to themselves. 8. Get the liberal anti-gun bias out of the media.
9. Convice parents to actually teach their children morals.
--Leonard Watson

Bleeding heart liberal judges should pass on giving sentences of community service and probation in lieu of hard time early on when and before teens and young adults start committing murder. --Penny

I don't know what it will take to stop gun violence, because it seems that now days people do not have morals or respect for human life. But how can you expect someone to value your life, when they don't even value their own. I read the papers and listen to the news, as well as general conversation around me, & I'm noticing that parents feel "not my child". I mean it's always "my child is good"; "my kid doesn't cause trouble"; "my children wouldn't dare be in a gang"; "my child was just in the wrong place at the wrong time";....(don't get me wrong, their are truly good kids out here) but guns are mainly in the hands of youths between the age 13-25(in my opinion). My point is, if everyone is saying "not my child", then who do these youths belong to? It's too many teens on the corners, in the streets, & in the cities....for them not to belong to someone. Maybe its time for people to stop blaming everyone else's child, and start taking back control of their own homes. And for those lawmakers, who sit in their big offices, live in their plush homes, enjoying their good lives, & want to restrict the legal purchase of guns....come to my neighborhood....I don't think these teens went into anybody's "store" & purchased a gun!!!!!!....an alley, a dark hallway, or a basement, even....but always never a gunstore. In conclusion, "People!!!!!", we can't stop crime in the streets until we acknowlege, address, discipline & teach the "criminals" in our own homes...morals and respect!!!! --Shari Devers

You have to put money into the poor communities like you do the water front communities. People have to see and feel you care.It will never, and i mean never stop until the city goverment starts caring. --Jat

Let the people of chicago have their guns back so they can protect themselves. when you take away guns from honest people, then you do not have far to look to see what's happening in the streets of Chicago. Let the people arm themselves & the number of murders will go down.
--James J. Reynolds

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

---