Californians, protect yourselves from crime by arming up.

California’s Battle ‍Against Crime

After another surge in crime across the state, it’s ⁣time for California to finally stop its crusade against legal gun owners ‌and make it easier ‍for ​Californians to​ defend themselves against violent crime. But based on recent recommendations made by officials ‌in one of the state’s most⁣ dangerous towns, that’s not likely ​to happen anytime soon.

This summer, California headlines constantly told ⁤of egregious crime ⁤sprees in Oakland, California. Ranked by NeighborhoodScout as the 40th most dangerous city in America ⁣in 2023, ⁤Oakland is currently⁣ experiencing a violent‌ crime ‍rate of 12.57​ assaults per 1,000 inhabitants, with⁢ a ‍total of ‌5,452 ​violent assaults a year.⁤ According to a report by the Oakland Police ​Department in June, violent crime was up 15 percent compared to last year. Residents are⁢ scared, ​and⁣ they have good reason to be.

The ⁣city is a shell of its former self: Many commercial‌ properties are abandoned, ATMs have been gutted, store windows are​ boarded up, and even the police department’s precinct is barricaded, with no⁤ clear entry point. Meanwhile, criminals and thugs assault and ⁢kill people ⁤for their belongings. Residents, alongside Oakland’s ⁣NAACP branch, have demanded the city council provide protection. In response to⁣ this plea, city police have recommended that people ⁢carry air horns with them at all times, in order to deter would-be ⁤criminals and to alert neighbors.

To add insult to injury, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price joined a community forum‍ where she effectively downplayed residents’ concerns by emphasizing the‍ Oakland Police Department’s recent arrest record: “We’ve charged over 7,600 cases, including murder and serious⁤ violent felonies.” Unfortunately,‌ these ​arrests can’t keep up with violent ⁤crime trends.

Price‌ also criticized residents’ desire for police⁢ enhancements in the vein of increased patrols, better security equipment, and ‌heightened‌ investigations: “Because they require longer sentences, they​ force us to invest in prisons. Enhancements have been at the heart⁣ of incarceration. It is absolutely‌ essential that we stop​ using them.”

At least she understands the concept: ⁢If⁢ we increase our law enforcement efforts, there will‍ be fewer criminals ‍out in the open. Apparently, that will cost ⁢the county‍ more than citizens’⁤ safety is worth. Unsurprisingly, there is currently a recall effort to oust Price.

Statewide Trend

This normalized whitewashing of crime is rampant throughout the ⁤state.‍ San Francisco residents are leaving⁤ their cars unlocked in order to escape the damage caused by thieves. Some ⁣have even left‌ signs ⁣on their vehicles such as “Please use the doors” and “Please Do Not Break Glass!! Nothing Inside!!” This tolerance ⁣of‌ criminal ‍behavior comes as ⁣no surprise when California⁢ district attorneys ⁣continue to ‍refuse to prosecute crimes such⁤ as robbery, violent recidivism, and even murder.

In response to a recent flash ⁢mob’s spree stealing $100,000 worth of product from‍ a ⁢Nordstrom, Los Angeles Mayor⁢ Karen Bass dismissed the robbery,⁢ saying, “Well, you know what, things like‍ this⁣ happen when there’s profit to be​ made.” Things like ‌this do indeed happen, especially since California ​passed Proposition⁤ 47,​ which essentially permits all⁣ theft under​ $950.

When questioned if California’s “crime reform” contributed to the⁢ crime spike, Bass responded, “The reforms that people object to have nothing, nothing to ⁤do with these crimes.” That’s rich considering‌ theft has increased⁤ by 200 percent after 2020.

Self-Defense ​Required

If state police aren’t invested in ⁢protecting citizens from car thieves, robbers, and mass shooters, citizens must ⁣be allowed to take protection into their own hands.⁤ The United States has a long and well-documented history of responsible gun owners stopping would-be ⁢mass shooters —‌ not to mention instances where legal ​firearm owners ⁣deter ⁢home invaders and⁢ robbers without even firing a shot.

While ⁢gun-control advocates are quick to point to studies that try to show how lax gun-control laws lead to higher ​ instances of gun-related violence, their research ⁤variability and personal‌ bias make it impossible to prove that higher gun ownership‌ rates increase gun-related violence.

However, the U.S. is experiencing a record number of permit carry holders at 22 million⁢ and counting. Twenty-seven states also honor permitless carry. ⁤Despite the popular rise in firearm ownership, we aren’t seeing ‌a spike in gun‍ violence in “right-to-carry” states.

What we do see is a consistent increase‍ in public mass shootings in states with burdensome gun legislation ‌like California’s.

It’s been shown that up ‌to 16 percent of ⁢would-be mass shooters have been ⁤ stopped by responsible, ⁣legal gun​ owners. In the 36 percent of ⁤shooting attacks (gang-related, robberies,​ theft, assault) that have occurred ‌in places where firearms​ were permitted, 42.3 percent were stopped by ⁢legal carry owners.

Between the understaffed police departments‌ and ⁤the DAs‍ who refuse to do ⁢their jobs,⁣ Californians are ‍left unprotected from the state’s rampant crime and violence. It’s ⁢time for people ‍to wake‌ up and take some gun⁤ safety courses.⁢ As the state is now a‌ “shall issue” jurisdiction, residents ⁢have nothing⁢ to lose in applying for a⁢ concealed carry permit and practicing ⁣at ⁣the range. California must ⁢also foster a culture of self-defense and honoring property rights by voting for pro-liberty and ‌pro-Second⁣ Amendment candidates wherever they can. From local school boards to city councils‌ to sheriff’s departments, citizens need to start voting for the change they desperately need.‌ That⁤ won’t happen if the Prices, George Gascons, and Gavin Newsoms of the world ‍keep getting reelected.

In the meantime, it would be pertinent ⁣to look into self-defense. If your city ⁢is handing out air horns, maybe ‌it’s time ‍to move.