A Chicago Tragedy

Police said the gun belonged to Jalynn's mother, a Cook County sheriff's corrections officer. She was working in the jail complex at 26th Street and California Avenue in Chicago when the shooting occurred, said Cook County sheriff's police spokeswoman Penny Mateck.

This was sent to me by correspondent HZ, who worried "I don't know how you could use this or if I am just sending this as a rant. I do not promote dancing in blood and don't like it when the anti's do it."

That's because we're decent people, and our natural tendency is to empathize with fellow human beings suffering an unimaginable loss. That said,this took place in Chicago, where, except in very limited circumstances, handguns are banned for all but "The Only Ones" under the false premise that they're somehow more competent or trustworthy than the rest of us. As a result of that, and until that changes, other innocents will die and other families will grieve.

That point needs to be made, and as tragic as it may be, I'll take the heat for making it.

And as HZ writes, "My first reaction though, was the realization that this child's death will no doubt be used by the gun grabbers to pad their numbers of children 'killed by guns' and to bolster their argument that I need to be disarmed.

"I also reacted strongly to the Chicago Heights Police officer they interviewed (might have been the chief). He emphasized the importance of keeping guns locked up and disassembled at home. No one ever heard of 'gun-proofing' their kids instead of the other way around!?!?!"

Does anyone really think many in the Chicago PD lock up and disassemble guns in their homes?

One other note: the story says this was the mother's "service weapon," but ends with " Corrections officers are not allowed to bring their guns to work inside the jail."

So what do they need service weapons for?

UPDATE: Commentator ChicagoHandgun.Org notes Chicago Heights is a separate city and the blanket Chicago handgun ban is not yet in effect.