A person who is determined to commit murder knows he is breaking the law. So why would we expect a potential murderer, someone who is planning in detail a mass shooting incident, to obey a law that says:
- You can’t buy a gun.
- You can’t lie about your background when trying to buy a gun.
- You can’t steal a gun.
- You can’t possess a gun.
- You can’t carry a gun concealed.
- You can’t have a magazine that holds more than ten rounds.
- You can’t bring a gun into a gun free zone.
The lawless, by definition, don’t obey laws. So how can more laws that require their willing compliance prevent crime?
Shortly after the Louisiana Theater Shooting took place, blame was placed on Louisiana’s lax gun laws. It was later determined the shooter legally bought the gun in Alabama in 2014. No gun laws were broken until he illegally carried the gun concealed. Laws did not prevent him for illegally carrying a concealed weapon or committing murder.
Even in the most restrictive societies, laws or rules cannot prevent crime. Take your average Federal or State maximum security prison. A closed society, many rules, all strictly enforced. No weapons allowed. The inmates movements are closely monitored. Yet assaults, murders and rapes occur every day. Laws can’t prevent the lawless from committing crimes. They can only punish after the fact those that are not afraid of getting caught.