When the Supreme Court returns from its winter break, one of the cases justices are scheduled to discuss in conference is Schoenthal v. Raoul, a challenge to Illinois' and Chicago's "gun-free" public transportation systems. Though a district court judge sided with the plaintiffs, the Seventh Circuit reversed his decision and held that the ban comports with the national tradition of gun ownership, which, in their warped view of history, includes banning lawful carry in crowded public spaces where "vulnerable populations" are likely to be found.
Of course, those who are disarmed and unable to protect themselves are vulnerable as well. And it's not like criminals are paying much attention to the "no weapons permitted" policy of the Chicago Transit Authority, where violent crimes are commonplace. Early Tuesday morning, tragedy struck once again, this time inside a "gun-free" train on the CTA's Pink Line.
Police said two men, a 23-year-old and a 44-year-old, were riding the train when they became involved in an argument with an unknown man who was armed with a knife.
At some point, one of the victims pulled out a gun, but police say the offender "gained control" of the firearm and started shooting.
The 44-year-old was shot in the abdomen and taken to Northwestern Hospital, where he died. The 23-year-old was shot in the wrist and also taken to Northwestern.
... The shooting comes amid a string of recent safety incidents on CTA trains.
On Friday, a man set a fire on a Blue Line train in Wicker Park. That happened about a month after an arson attack in which a woman was set on fire on another Blue Line train.
The same day as the fire last Friday, the CTA announced it was increasing security across the system. The agency said it would add more police officers, private security patrols and canine teams after federal transportation officials called for additional safety measures.
If the gun owner had shot the knife-wielding attacker it likely would have been seen as a case of lawful self-defene, but he still would have faced charges for possessing the gun on the train, even if he had a valid carry permit and a FOID card.
We don't know that he possessed either of those documents, nor do we know all of the details about how the suspect managed to get control of the gun.
Generally speaking, though, you don't pull a gun unless you're ready and willing to use it to protect your life. Most defensive gun uses end without a trigger being pulled, but you need to be prepared to do so if you're going to display your firearm. I can't help but wonder if the guy who pulled a gun thought or hoped that brandishing it would be enough to stop the threat, and hesitated to shoot as the suspect with the knife approached him.
Is this an argument against allowing concealed carry on CTA property? Absolutely not. Carrying a gun doesn't guarantee that you'll be able to use it in self-defense, but it at least increases the odds of you being able to defend yourself. And as this incident shows, violent and dangerous offenders have no qualms whatsoever about violating the CTA's policy of no weapons on the premises. In fact, just the day before a group of three individuals robbed a woman at knifepoint on a Red Line train.
Even when fists and feet are used as weapons the injuries can be severe, like the 62-year-old left in a coma after he was beaten and robbed on a CTA bus last week.
Given the reality of violent crime on CTA property, as well as the fact that those disarmed by the CTA policy can't legally carry before or after they board a bus or train, it's vitally important that the Supreme Court weigh in on the constitutionality of banning lawful carry on public transportation. If the Court fails to strike down these "gun-free zones", users of public transit in Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C. and several other major metropolitan areas will continue to be deprived of their fundamental right to bear arms in self-defense, and criminals will be emboldened to act in a Court-sanctioned target rich environment.
Editor's Note: Christmas is coming a little early here at Bearing Arms!
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