Instead, many would-be criminals avoid getting into situations where they might be confronted by citizens bearing arms. Thus, potential crimes are avoided altogether. It's possible that if Chad Anderson had known he would have faced several concealed handgun carriers at City Market, he would never have gone there in the first place. If that had been the case, those who took the responsibility to carry handguns and train to use them safely and effectively would have prevented the terrible tragedy, and they would never even have known it. That's why the sentiments of some are biased against guns.
Murders make for dramatic television.
But the crimes prevented by handgun ownership can only be studied through academic statistical research. The lives saved by gun ownership, however, are no less important simply because they go largely unnoticed by the media. This article, from the Independence Institute staff, fellows and research network, is offered for your use at no charge. Independence Feature Syndicate articles are published for educational purposes only, and the authors speak for themselves. Nothing written here is to be construed as necessarily representing the views of the Independence Institute or as an attempt to influence any election or legislative action.