Now the Los Angeles City Council hopes to follow suit. It's proposing a ban on all ammo sales within the city. The purpose of such legislation is not actually to reduce crime, but for politicians to feign concern for public safety. A few new ordinances are not going to deter a Buford Furrow or, for that matter, everyday criminals like the gang members who assaulted Lee. Those who don't mind breaking big laws have no qualms about breaking small ones they're happy to buy their guns on the black market.
Criminals know that all too well.
Furrow reportedly chose to attack the North Valley Jewish Community Center instead of the more prominent University of Judaism, the Museum of Tolerance or the Skirball Cultural Center because he figured it would be less heavily guarded. If the two gang members who tried to rob Lee had known that he was armed, they surely would have picked an easier target. Not surprisingly, Lott's research shows that when cities and states permit citizens to carry concealed weapons, crime rates decline. Those who use a gun for self-defense realize that the police cannot be expected to protect them in every situation. Only a month ago, Los Angeles watched as cops, obeying their superiors' orders, stood back and did nothing as rioters celebrated the Lakers' championship by overturning cars and smashing storefronts.