The Washington Times writes that guns will reduce the murder rate in Chicago. Why is that? Surprise, even criminals don't want to get killed. What's the deterrent criminals fear most? It isn't prison. Prison is great for a criminal -- it's like college: free room & board, lots of colleagues to learn from, an opportunity to work out, improve your fighting skills. What could be better for preparing you to "get back to work" on the outside?
No, more than being caught, more than police, criminals fear an armed victim. The odds of police catching a criminal in the act are almost nil. The odds of an armed victim resisting are very high.
Don't believe it? Read all about it in More Guns, Less Crime by John Lott. (Wikipedia Summary)
