A South Carolina sheriff said it’s time for citizens to start carrying concealed weapons as a way to fight back against crime.
“Gun control is not the answer,” Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright told Fox News. “Carry a concealed weapon.”
Wright echoed comments he made at a heated press conference after a local woman was attacked in a park. The alleged assailant was a man who the sheriff said had been convicted at least 20 times.
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“The form of justice we have here doesn’t work,” he said. “I’m tired of telling victims, ‘We’re sorry, we can’t keep them in jail.’”
According to local reports, Walter Lance, 46, was arrested for grabbing and attempting to rape a woman in Milliken Park. Lance remains in custody after he was denied bond.
“Sexual predators are not going to be rehabbed,” Wright said. “They need to be put somewhere where they can’t bother our women and our children.”
His answer? Chain gangs and arming the law abiding citizens of his county.
“I’m just a common, average guy that believes we should be able to protect ourselves,” he said. “When we start taking guns away from our citizens, we’re arming the bad guys. Boy, that’s not going to be a pretty sight with society.”
Wright is also pushing South Carolina lawmakers to bring back the chain gang.
“I’m not for the old-style chain gang – that was inhumane,” he said. “I am about making people work for their keep. If you’re going to burden the people of South Carolina then you should be made to work and pull your own weight.”
“The sheriff said his call for people to arm themselves has generated lots of debate. “I’ve been getting calls from all over,” he said. “All of them have been positive.”
He said there is proof that properly trained, law-abiding citizens with guns can actually save lives.
He told the story of a local man who was accosted at his home by two would-be robbers. One was armed with a crowbar. The homeowner was armed with a weapon – which he used to defend himself.
The sheriff said the would-be robber was shot and killed.
“I didn’t have to apologize for a gentleman getting beat to death with a crowbar,” Wright said. “It was unfortunate for the bad guy that got killed – but still – it’s almost like you pump your fist in the air and say, well the good guy finally won one.”
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hehe, more law enforcement officers need to take his lead.
TODD is wright!
YES! I live in South Carolina.
good for him.
This guy has it right!
Nice to hear some truth from a law enforcement official. Eric Holder could use a lesson from this man.
I'm in.
It is nice to see law enforcment sticking up for the victems and to be backed by laws that protect the victems of violent crimes. If you are going to do the crime then you should be williing to endure the pain of self defence.
Already carry.
Law enforcement can only do their part of the job and we as citizens have to be reasonable in what we do to look after, as we say in my part of the world, me and mine. The sheriff is right.
Need more LEO's like this sheriff.
The Sheriff means well but the South Carolina Legislature apparently doesn't agree, at least where visitors to the state are concerned. SC does not recognize CCW's for non-residents.
One more reason to actively support the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Bill H.R. 822.
http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=189
If we were armed the government would fear us…oh wait, that's the way it's supposed to be.
The Sheriff is totaly right. The Federal congress and Senate should make (carry a gun) a law for all the people. Bill Cummins
agreed!
That's what happens when guns are everywhere in society. Everyone thinks they need one to protect against everyone else. It is a shame that this is how gun ownership has developed in the US.
However, scientific evidence suggests that you are 4.5 times more likely to be shot if you are carrying, and 4.2 times more likely to be killed (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17922-carrying-a-gun-increases-risk-of-getting-shot-and-killed.html).
There is also the increased risk of suicide and accidents. So, overall, maybe it isn't such a good idea!
I will take this over the alternative. At the end of the day, you are responsible for your own happiness and safety. Calling the police usually happens AFTER the unfortunate incident. They merely take your statement and description of your assailant(s) and try to find them. Now, although I have a concealed permit, I generally choose not to carry. Honestly, the thing's uncomfortable and kind of a pain in the butt. I did, however, go through a pretty stringent application process and interview by the county sheriff. It IS nice to know that if I would ever feel the need to carry–and I pray to God THAT never hapens–that I CAN. A lot of my friends do not like guns and would never think of carrying one or even applying for a concealed carry permit. That is their choice. I respect it, just as they respect my choice to have weapons in my house and am legally permitted to carry a concealed weapon.
One last item, I dispute your claim that guns are "everywhere" in society. I would like to see a statistic where even a "fair" number of citizens carry guns either legally, or illegally.
Amen Sheriff. The armed citizen is the First Responder.
Good man and good law enforcement at it's best. Time to defend ourselves against all lawless scum.
Everyone should have a CCW, it's the law abiding citizens that are hurt when they impose gun laws. Remember folks, criminals don't follow the law! Just because it's illegal doesn't mean they won't do it.
well said. seems like the more gun laws they have the more crime there is,take a look at states with the tough gun laws and see how much higher the crime rate is
I SUPPORT THIS SUGGESTION BY SHERIFF.
I SUPPORT THIS SUGGESTION BY SHERIFF.
That's my kind of Sheriff…
It's sad that people have waited this long to finally start taking some personal responsibility. But having said that, I agree 100%. Get one and learn how to use it!
Agreed. Now we need to implement nationwide reciprocity. 'Nuff said.
Your S.C. CCW is recognized in Missouri. In fact, Missouri recognizes CCW from all jurisdictions – it was written into the law that way.
how soon can I move here that's what I want to know.
Good man,good sheriff. We need to take back our communities from the filth.
I like this sheriff
I support this 100%. I am a woman and keep a weapon at my side. I've been wishing South Carolina would implement the chain gang again. I have to earn my upkeep why not them. We need to look at Sheriff Joe Apario (Maricopa County, Arizona) as a role model.