Kansas City has recently made headlines for its efforts at the municipal level to try and stem violent crime. In the wake of some of the highest levels of violent crime in our city’s history, it is clear that our government should be taking extra steps to protect citizens. It is the duty of city government to address local crime and to take the lead in fighting it. As a member of the City Council, the safety and security of Kansas City residents is my top priority.
I am also the wife of a retired police officer. This topic hits close to home for me.
Many in city government believe that further gun ordinances and laws are required to address violent crime. Recently, our city council passed ordinances trying to limit the number of guns on the streets.
One such ordinance makes it a local offense for a minor to have a handgun. Another prohibits an adult from recklessly giving a minor a handgun without parental permission. This law helps police address the problem of having unlawful handguns in the hands of minors, but in looking to future solutions, Kansas City needs to be looking at solutions outside of just focusing on firearms.
Generally, I believe that extra laws or ordinances will not dissuade criminals. In those circumstances, laws that try to disarm the population will only harm law-abiding citizens who are now without means of defending themselves from violent criminals. I respect the 2nd Amendment Rights of law-abiding citizens to keep guns to protect themselves and their families. Further, a firearm is only a tool used in committing violent crimes; just because a person does not have access to a gun does not mean that they will not use some other weapons to commit violent crime. They may opt to use knives or other weapons to accomplish their ends.
Even if all firearms were off our streets tomorrow, there would still be violent crime because the underlying problem still exists. In some environments, individuals are more likely to be exposed to crime and to turn to criminal activity. Further gun laws look good politically —it is quick, easy measure for politicians to show they are trying to solve the problem. However, long-term and more effective solutions lie elsewhere.
Our city should be doing more to focus on addressing the underlying causes of poverty, crime, and mental health in the first place. Two of the most effective means of doing so is to improve educational opportunities and to strengthen programs that support families.
Education gives the individual an opportunity to pursue a life as a law-abiding citizen in a stable career. Meanwhile, families are the moral bedrock of an individual; strong families and parents help to raise children who are less likely to turn to crime. Mental health programs should also be utilized to identify those in crisis who might be considering violent acts.
I believe we should refocus our energy on looking into innovative social and educational programs that provide a path away from violence and towards a more secure future. These programs will not be able to prevent all violent crime, but they would go a long way of keeping future generations away from a life of crime and towards being a productive member of society. I believe that the security of our city does not need to be a balancing act between cracking down on guns and the rights of citizens. There are solutions out there that can protect the rights of gun owners and reduce the rate of violent crime. This is what I intend to pursue and to work alongside my fellow City Council Members to do it.
Heather Hall is a City Councilwoman from the Northland area of Kansas City.
