Mass Shooting in Dc, Have you heard about it? Probably not.
Gun Control is Failing Inner City Communities
On Tuesday, April 11, 2023, shots rang out as mourners attended a funeral in Northeast DC. Police presence was requested at the funeral and officers were nearby during the incident. This did nothing to deter the violence. Multiple people were injured, and one was killed. Have you heard national cries for gun control? Have you heard outrage about the violence in these inner-city communities and the need for gun control? No, probably not.
The truth is the guns used in most of these crimes were never legally obtained, so stricter gun laws wouldn’t have prevented the incident.
“Washington DC has enacted some of the strongest gun violence prevention legislation in the nation. Washington DC requires all guns to be registered and has high standards for the types of guns that can be owned or possessed. Because of this, firearms purchased in DC are rarely used in crimes.” (DC.gov)
The DC Metropolitan Police Department has specialty units that focus on gun recovery. The GRU has existed for decades. Its purpose is the recovery of illegal weapons. The task force has historically been a blend of local and federal law enforcement officers. Their recovery and arrest stats are impressive, but they statistically don’t do much to curb violent gun crimes in the district. According to DC.gov violent crimes that involved a gun are up 283% over the past five years. In that period, the statistics include robberies, assaults, and homicides that total over 10,000 known incidents, while countless remain unreported.
In February 2023 the ACLU-D.C. called on the D.C. Council to disband the Metropolitan Police Department’s “unaccountable and dangerous Gun Recovery Unit (GRU)” citing its targeted focus on black community members. In recent years the GRU has come under pressure from many local groups and the media for its unethical tactics, focusing on statistics and arrests not resulting in convictions. If this unit were disbanded it would remove the one targeted operation to remove the illegal guns that account for upwards of 90 percent of the gun crime in DC. The system, the policy, the law, and the enforcers are failing the community as a whole.
D.C. is the home to almost 60 law enforcement agencies spread over just 68.35 miles. On a per capita basis, Washington, DC has the most police officers in the nation. (precisedigital.com) Despite the overwhelming law enforcement presence and the strictest gun laws in the nation gun violence is undeterred.
Nationally we see a news cycle focused on mass shootings in suburban and affluent areas that result in calls for gun control. We rarely hear about these local inner-city areas that are rampant with gun crime, and when we do, we don’t hear the same conviction toward resolution. Why? Well first, crime in inner cities has become a culturally expected norm. Second, the gun laws in the outcry for change have already been enacted and have already failed. It’s easy for lawmakers to turn their heads and say, “We’ve done what we can” but this leaves already vulnerable communities further traumatized by failed laws, policies, and violence. It furthers a perpetual cycle of dependency on abusive and predatory systems that use these communities for votes and political gain.
This leaves the question; What is a true resolution?
Gun control has failed and in its most basic essence is un-Constitutional and un-American. Regardless of socioeconomic status, race, religion, or any other defining characteristic, every human has the inherent right to defend their life. A well-trained, well-armed citizen community is the most effective counter to rampant illegal gun violence.
In promotion of a totalitarian communist state Lenin once said, “One person with a gun can control 100 people without one.” While this is terrifying coming from a fascist dictator, the reverse is also true. A well-armed, well-trained community will prevent prolific gun violence in their community.
Now picture this: You’re standing in line at a bank waiting to cash a check when someone with a gun walks in and says, “Everyone, lay on the floor.” Naturally, everyone lays on the floor. Now picture this: 15 people in the bank are carrying guns. They’re not looking for trouble; they just have a gun just in case. So the guy walks in and says, “Everyone, lay on the floor.” Instantly 15 guns are pointed at him: “No, sir, you lay on the floor.”
Gun control isn’t about guns; it’s about control. Every dictator has wanted gun control: Lenin wanted it, Stalin wanted it, and Hitler wanted it. Why is it that every dictator has wanted gun control? Well the answer is simple: they don’t want a rebellion because of their power and control over the people. Guns are a risk they aren’t willing to take. (Kaltenbach, 2022)
Solutions that require strong paradigm shifts are never comfortable and can often be likened to the analogy of the cave by Plato. The people must emerge from the overt social programmed narratives to achieve true freedom. They must awaken from the fallacy of the darkness and lies of the cave to find the light, the truth, and the self-reliance essential for independence and safety. Realistically you are your own first line of defense for safety and survival. It is imperative that citizens learn skills to safeguard themselves and their families. This is a basic human right but more importantly an indispensable element in areas that are scourged with violent criminals that do not respect the lives of others.
Many programs nationally provide community education on crime prevention and responsible gun ownership. Among them is an award-winning seminar by the NRA; Refuse to be a Victim. This course is “One of the most important steps toward ensuring your own safety is having a personal safety strategy in place before you need it. NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® program teaches the tips and techniques you need to be alerted to dangerous situations and to avoid criminal confrontation.” (NRA)
An amazing resource for inner city communities is the National African American Gun Association. “The goal of the National African American Gun Association is to establish a 2nd Amendment Organization that educates and trains our community on the rich legacy of gun ownership of African Americans, offering education, training, support, safety standards, and cultural inspiration.” (Naaga.com) They offer groups and training that specifically focus on empowering women, keeping children safe, building skills, and providing community. Additionally, local gun ranges offer beginner to advanced-level courses in gun education, control safety, and tactics. One of the best books applicable is Victim No More by Dave Acosta. In America resources are abundant. While our law enforcement is entrusted with our community safety it is ultimately our fundamental right and duty to protect ourselves and the ones we love.