http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/5143603.htm
Charleston storeowners considering guns
Associated Press
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Clyde Burris has spent the past three decades doing the same thing - unlocking the doors to his liquor store, flipping on the lights and strapping on a .38-caliber pistol.
It has been known in the neighborhood since 1974 when Burris chased off two robbers with several warning shots that this shopkeeper is packing heat.
"Police officers aren't God," said Burris, 61. "They can't be everywhere at once."
Charleston Police Chief Reuben Greenberg may have acknowledged that much. After a rash of burglaries and break-ins, Greenberg suggests it may be time for storeowners carrying guns to protect their businesses.
"There is never going to be zero crime. We can only work to reduce those that happen," Greenberg told concerned James Island business owners at a recent meeting. "That's the kind of world we live in."
Greenberg's idea has been met with supporters and critics.
"I don't know if I could shoot somebody," said Mary Jane Keathco, owner of Lighthouse Tea and Coffee Co. on Folly Road. "What if I shoot the wrong person? What if my bullet ricochets? What happens if the robber takes the gun away from me?"
There have been at least 10 robberies and 15 break-ins in Keathco's area. Business owners are wondering who's next.
"A gun is an absolute last resort," said Jeff Haertel, co-owner of area business Buffalo South. "I don't want to have to shoot anybody. I don't think any business owner should have to that is why we pay taxes and give cops guns."
Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon said he heard the same argument when police recommended people install burglar alarms and fences for protection. There are more instances where criminals aren't satisfied with stealing money, Cannon said.
"They are committing unnecessary and senseless violence against their victim," Cannon said.
Jack Guedalia is a Charleston County magistrate and crime statistician who has charted the number of charges that have come through the court each year since 1986.
In 1997, the court handled 15,459 charges ranging from theft to rape and murder. That number rose to 20,087 this past year, Guedalia said.
"It's obvious to me, based on what goes through the court, that weapons violations and crimes involving guns have been on the rise, like specifically armed robbery," he said.
North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt doesn't think its time for merchants to lock and load. He said adding more guns to a situation elevates the danger for all.
Zumalt would rather storeowners take a nonconfrontational approach and let authorities handle the investigations.
"Let's say I'm a beat officer called out to a crime and both the merchant and suspect have guns," Zumalt said. "How do I know who is the bad guy, and who is the good guy? That could cost me a second or two of valuable time."
South Carolina law permits any qualified business owner to have a gun in the store without holding a concealed weapons permit.
Neil Schachte owns Carolina Rod & Gun. He was worried about wearing his pistol to work until a neighboring businessman was killed by a robber two years ago.
Police found the shooter had thought about robbing Schachte's store, but didn't because the employees had guns.
"Nowadays you can't take a chance," Schachte said. "You can have $100 in the till or $20 and it doesn't matter. Some people will take your life for that."
Geoffrey Alpert, a criminology professor at the University of South Carolina, said arming homeowners and businesses sounds sensible in theory but can become dangerous in practice.
"It's is a recipe for disaster unless people are well trained," Alpert said. "You would not want to have a police officer who is not extremely well trained with a gun. Why would you want a store owner who is not trained?"
Greenberg, Charleston's police chief, says those owners who don't want to carry a gun should hire security guards or off-duty officers for protection.
"Things are changing. People will shoot you whether you resist or not," Greenberg said.
Charleston storeowners considering guns
Associated Press
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Clyde Burris has spent the past three decades doing the same thing - unlocking the doors to his liquor store, flipping on the lights and strapping on a .38-caliber pistol.
It has been known in the neighborhood since 1974 when Burris chased off two robbers with several warning shots that this shopkeeper is packing heat.
"Police officers aren't God," said Burris, 61. "They can't be everywhere at once."
Charleston Police Chief Reuben Greenberg may have acknowledged that much. After a rash of burglaries and break-ins, Greenberg suggests it may be time for storeowners carrying guns to protect their businesses.
"There is never going to be zero crime. We can only work to reduce those that happen," Greenberg told concerned James Island business owners at a recent meeting. "That's the kind of world we live in."
Greenberg's idea has been met with supporters and critics.
"I don't know if I could shoot somebody," said Mary Jane Keathco, owner of Lighthouse Tea and Coffee Co. on Folly Road. "What if I shoot the wrong person? What if my bullet ricochets? What happens if the robber takes the gun away from me?"
There have been at least 10 robberies and 15 break-ins in Keathco's area. Business owners are wondering who's next.
"A gun is an absolute last resort," said Jeff Haertel, co-owner of area business Buffalo South. "I don't want to have to shoot anybody. I don't think any business owner should have to that is why we pay taxes and give cops guns."
Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon said he heard the same argument when police recommended people install burglar alarms and fences for protection. There are more instances where criminals aren't satisfied with stealing money, Cannon said.
"They are committing unnecessary and senseless violence against their victim," Cannon said.
Jack Guedalia is a Charleston County magistrate and crime statistician who has charted the number of charges that have come through the court each year since 1986.
In 1997, the court handled 15,459 charges ranging from theft to rape and murder. That number rose to 20,087 this past year, Guedalia said.
"It's obvious to me, based on what goes through the court, that weapons violations and crimes involving guns have been on the rise, like specifically armed robbery," he said.
North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt doesn't think its time for merchants to lock and load. He said adding more guns to a situation elevates the danger for all.
Zumalt would rather storeowners take a nonconfrontational approach and let authorities handle the investigations.
"Let's say I'm a beat officer called out to a crime and both the merchant and suspect have guns," Zumalt said. "How do I know who is the bad guy, and who is the good guy? That could cost me a second or two of valuable time."
South Carolina law permits any qualified business owner to have a gun in the store without holding a concealed weapons permit.
Neil Schachte owns Carolina Rod & Gun. He was worried about wearing his pistol to work until a neighboring businessman was killed by a robber two years ago.
Police found the shooter had thought about robbing Schachte's store, but didn't because the employees had guns.
"Nowadays you can't take a chance," Schachte said. "You can have $100 in the till or $20 and it doesn't matter. Some people will take your life for that."
Geoffrey Alpert, a criminology professor at the University of South Carolina, said arming homeowners and businesses sounds sensible in theory but can become dangerous in practice.
"It's is a recipe for disaster unless people are well trained," Alpert said. "You would not want to have a police officer who is not extremely well trained with a gun. Why would you want a store owner who is not trained?"
Greenberg, Charleston's police chief, says those owners who don't want to carry a gun should hire security guards or off-duty officers for protection.
"Things are changing. People will shoot you whether you resist or not," Greenberg said.
