Cops and Robbers. The Shooting Gallery.

I watched the news in horror and anger the other night at reports that a police officer in Lower Burrell had given his life in the line of duty.

CeaseFirePA and other anti-gun groups, all who seem to love hunting, but detest the right to own a gun "in defense of themselves and state" as our PA Constitution reads, are screaming for "sensible gun laws." I rather champion sensible prosecutorial laws and guidelines, and mandatory sentencing for gun crimes.

The shooter in Burrell was "302ed", and it was unlawful for him to own a firearm. The criminal justice system failed us. So far as reasonable firearm laws, you only need to look at BATFE Form 4473 to see the disqualifiers. Domestic abuse convictions, mental incompetency, dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces, and so on, disqualify certain persons from owning a gun.

Indeed, its illegal for them to even try to buy one. Murder is outlawed, regardless of weapon, as is taking pot shots at rival gang members, but especially police officers. Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Sentencing shows that recidivist criminals and other disqualified persons commit nearly all gun crimes. Law abiding citizens, and especially those with a License to Carry Firearms (I'll pick up on the concept of paying to exercise a right in a future blog), are seldom, if ever, involved.

This brings to the fore the question that weighs heavily on my mind. How is it that shooters routinely get off with light sentences? Simply carrying a gun in commission of a crime is a five-year, no-chance-for-parole, violation. Gun violations are, for the most part, serious enough to earn you considerable time in jail, so why are these recidivists on the street?

Ask a cop. He'll tell you about the frustration of arresting a felon on gun charges, only to see them plea bargained away. Good Lord, they even have a name for it, "swallowing the gun." Revolving door justice in the name of a high disposition rate should cause district attorneys to lose much sleep.

Disarming those who own arms for sport, hunting, and yes, defense, is absurd. So what's the answer?

It's not what's on the Pennsylvania Judiciary Committee record from May of 2010, when Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia) clearly stated "we can't put all the criminals in jail" as a defense for the introduction of five anti-gun laws, all of which failed in committee.

The shooting gallery mentality of today's criminal is understandable. There's little or no consequence for the bad guy's actions. Pennsylvania hasn't executed anyone in 30 years. When I asked why a double murderer in Washington County did not get the death penalty, the DA was very forthcoming. He didn't seek it, because the killer won't be executed. He did insure two consecutive life terms without parole, and in the words of the judge: "... in the event you manage to survive the first life sentence... ."

The killer said he'd appeal, and that's his right, but at least in this one case he'll never see the light of day. Not ever.

Crime and punishment. What a concept. It might just take the target off the police officers' backs. When we elect our next DA, lets all ask him if he's keen to dispose of cases quickly, or to seek maximum penalties when guns are involved.

And if you want to know how police officers feel about honest citizens with firearms, ask the cop. I'll bet that 99-percent of the thin blue line will tell you that one more gun law would not have saved the life of the murdered K-9 officer this week.