Cleveland Mayor Announces War On Guns, Oh, and Drugs

Mayor Frank Jackson plans to roll out a crime-fighting plan attacking guns on the streets and cleaning up drug gangs. Already successful in putting a dent in drug activities in the city, he plans to deploy "officers trained to spot people carrying weapons" teamed with agents from the BATFE.

"Taking aim at organized drugs rings is a key part of the strategy, Jackson said. They are business ventures that employ children to sell guns, drugs and sex on the streets, he said.
This is organized crime. he said. Make no mistake about it. Misery and poverty is big business. People come to buy drugs, sex and guns. The mayor said he has created a more-transparent Police Department since he was elected two years ago. Officers on the gun and gang units will be held accountable if they overstep their authority, he said."

I wonder why the gang unit he is starting back up was ever disbanded. More interestingly, he asserts that the ramped up efforts could cause more confrontations between police officers and criminals.

As long as the mayor targets criminals and doesn't paint all firearms owners as lawless, his plan has a chance. But he needs to focus on the DRUG problem. That is the root cause of the violence plaguing Cleveland. If he just tries to take "illegal guns" off the streets and does nothing about drug distribution and dealing, it will be akin to putting a bandage on a limb afflicted with gangrene.

It is common knowledge that drug dealing gangs steal or buy stolen guns for protection. If you kill (or greatly reduce) the drug problem, you greatly reduce so-called "gun violence." But going after firearms to make political points is, well, pointless. And the moment Cleveland authorities start picking up law abiding people who are legally allowed to carry a concealed firearm in their automobile, the police and Action Jackson will have much to answer for.