Good guy and bad guy with gun...both die

Derrick Gholston was one of 306,000 Illinoisans possessing a Concealed Carry License (CCL) in Illinois; one of 40,000 in Chicago. No more. Derrick chose to shoot it out with a couple of illegally armed robbers at a Roseland business Saturday. One of the robbers was killed but so was Gholston. He complied when the robbers pulled a gun and robbed him outside the business. That was a smart move. But he pulled his gun to play cop when the two entered the business for more loot. That move was fatal. Gholston becomes the third Chicago CCL holder to die defending himself in the past year. Several others have been charged with murder for unlawful use of their precious concealed piece. One was killed by police last November after he opened fire on his ex-fiance, killing three. He had a record of domestic abuse but still got his coveted CCL. More than 34,000 Illinoisans have lost their right to possess a gun but over 80% still have them.

Folks I know who carry appear obsessed walking around with an 'equalizer'. But to me carrying a gun around is a little bit like carrying around a firecracker. It's no fun unless you can shoot it off.