If laws only worked...

Columbine Shooters Broke 19 Laws

There are already plenty of laws to stop tragedies like the Columbine High School shooting, assuming of course that laws are the answer.

Professor J.D. Crouch of Southern Methodist University and a law enforcement officer in Missouri, observed that the two young murderers who killed 12 students and a teacher in Littleton, Colo., violated at least 19 laws.
Crouch listed them as follows:

1. Possession of a "destructive device (i.e., bomb). (Multiple counts.) Each violation is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

2. Manufacturing a "destructive device" (i.e., bomb). (Multiple counts.) Each violation is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

3. Use of an explosive or incendiary device in the commission of a felony. A class 2 felony.

4. Setting a device designed to cause an explosion upon being triggered. Violation of Colorado law.

5. Use of a firearm or "destructive device" (i.e., bomb) to commit a murder that is prosecutable in a federal court. Punishable by death or up to life in prison.

6. Possession of a firearm or "destructive device" (i.e., bomb) in furtherance of a crime of violence that is prosecutable in a federal court. Penalty is 10 years if a firearm; 30 years if a "destructive device" (i.e., bomb).

7. Brandishing a firearm or "destructive device" (i.e., bomb) in furtherance of a crime of violence that may be prosecuted in a federal court. Penalty is 15 years if a firearm; 30 years if a "destructive device" (bomb, etc.).

8. Discharging a firearm or "destructive device" (i.e., bomb) in furtherance of a crime of violence that may be prosecuted in a federal court. Penalty is 20 years if a firearm; 30 years if a "destructive device" (bomb, etc.).

9. Conspiracy to commit a crime of violence prosecutable in federal court. Penalty is 20 years if the weapon is a firearm; life imprisonment if the weapon is a bomb.

10. Possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle. A violation is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

11. Manufacturing a "sawed-off" shotgun or "sawed-off" rifle. Each violation is punishable by 10 years in prison or $10,000 fine.

12. Possession of a handgun or hand-gun ammunition by a person under age 18. A violation is punishable by one year in prison.

13. Providing a handgun or handgun ammunition to a person under age 18. Penalty of one year unless the provider knew the gun would be used in a crime of violence, in which case the penalty is 10 years.

14. Age restrictions on purchasing firearms. Licensed dealers may sell rifles and shotguns only to persons age 18 or over, and handguns to persons age 21 or over.

15. Possession of a firearm on school property. Five-year penalty. Colorado also prohibits a gun on school property.

16. Discharge of a firearm on school property with a reckless disregard for another's safety. Five-year penalty.

17. Possession, interstate transportation, sale, etc., of a stolen firearm. A violation is punishable by 10 years.

18. Intentionally aiming a firearm at another person. Violation of Colorado law.

19. Displaying a firearm in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm, or discharging a firearm in a public place except on a lawful target practice or hunting place. Violation of Colorado law.

Perhaps, says the professor, "Instead of adding another list, we should try something novel: enforcing the laws we already have."