I found this article, Why more senior citizens are carrying guns and I thought it bears mentioning.
First of all, the sub-title on the piece is, “They’re protecting themselves from what they see as a rise in violence, even if crime statistics say otherwise.”
You may think this is a pro-gun article, but it’s not. I’ll admit that armed seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s can pose a threat to those around them, but I don’t think that it is as widespread that the article implies.
The article also infers that, “because crime is down, nobody needs to arm themselves.” They are not looking at the fact that it is armed citizens who are lowering the crime rate. Crime rates have steadily dropped because now 45 of 50 states have concealed weapons licenses for ordinary citizens. Every state that licenses citizens to carry see a decrease in crime across the board.
A criminal will commit crimes until they are stopped, that’s a fact. If they come up against an armed citizen, that’s a pretty solid wall to run into. Seniors are the weakest amongst us with the exception of children and are easy pickings for an aggressive criminal. When you arm them, they become a wall against crime. Once a criminal faces down an armed citizen, they think twice about taking on their next victim.
In the end, “the best insurance seniors can have against violent crime is a well-armed citizenry,” says Van Vibber, gripping his pistol. “Besides, it’s a God-given right.”
Amen.