Possession of firearms by law-abiding citizens reduces crime and is key to deterring gun violence, a newly released report says.

The Patriot’s Guide to Freedom and Firearms, published by The Heartland Institute, which publishes Budget & Tax News, includes fact-based solutions for reducing gun violence without infringing on people’s constitutional rights.

Dangerous defenselessness

John R. Lott Jr., president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, says the Heartland report is correct to note banning firearms does not prevent criminals from committing violence.

“Gun-free zones are worse than not working; they serve as a magnet for attacks,” Lott said. “Criminals, generally — and mass public shooters, specifically — try to pick targets where people are defenseless. Ninety -seven percent of the mass public shootings from 1950 to today have taken place in gun-free zones.”

‘Very tempting’ to killers

Joyce Malcolm, the Patrick Henry Professor of Constitutional Law and the Second Amendment at the George Mason University School of Law, says those intending to commit mass violence find gun-free zones to be extremely attractive targets.

“Gun-free zones don’t work because they’re an invitation to anyone who wants to commit mayhem,” Malcolm said. “The last thing they want is to be confronted with someone with a firearm who can fire back. A gun-free zone is very tempting. That’s the unfortunate part.

“I’m sure they’re well-intentioned, but they advertise that the people inside are going to be vulnerable,” Malcolm said. “Almost all of these mass murders have occurred in gun-free zones.”

Source: Jeff Reynolds, Heartland.org