Ed: Strengthen gun store security to close off armories for criminals
The Florida Legislature made it illegal in 1989 for an adult to leave a firearm within reach of a child. It was the rare example of a courageous response to the devastation of gun violence from a body generally more interested in eliminating restrictions on carrying and using firearms. The powerful gun lobby didn't even resist. The measure served as a model for other states. It is now time to expand that move toward responsible gun ownership by requiring those who sell firearms to protect them so they won't serve as virtual armories for Florida's criminals.
Twice in one year, thieves broke into Tampa gun stores and made off with about 40 guns each time. Soon after the most recent break-in, Nov. 29, one of the guns was found with a teenager suspected in the shooting death of an Orlando mother as she sat in her car with her child.
Then last week, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd took to his soapbox to scold store owners who shirk the "ethical and moral responsibility to secure their guns." Judd was disgusted at a theft — again, about 40 firearms — from Rapture Guns & Knives in Lakeland, a glass-fronted, strip-center store whose owner had just been warned by detectives about security.
Judd, after declaring his own libertarian leanings, questioned why the free market hasn't moved to hold gun store owners accountable for shoddy security practices. How do they get insurance, for example, or business loans?
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-strengthen-gun-store-security-to-close-off-armories-for-criminals/2309538
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A local gun store has been in the news 3 times for theft of a large number of guns each time. (Ironic that all those guns and they still weren't able to protect themselves. So much for "an armed country is a safe country."
After open carry passed there's been a great increase of guns stolen from cars. And the thieves openly say that a car or house with lots of NRA & "Come & take it" stickers/signs might as well have a target drawn on it. One asshole put out a sign pointing to his neighbor's house, saying that the person was unarmed & could easily be robbed. The thieves robbed *his* house, guessing correctly that he had a stockpile of valuable weapons.
When/if these guns hurt/kill someone, I'll bet Texas doesn't try to hard to trace them, because the inconvenient evidence might point to a need for gun control. Republicans will never let evidence disturb their cult-like worship of guns.
