In the aftermath of repeated mass shootings, Chicago pushes for GPS tracking of guns.<\/p>\n
As the country prepares for possible stricter gun control, a former police officer in Chicago, Illinois, is suggesting GPS tracking of all guns in the country. Alderman Willie Cochran wants to propose a new tracking program that will require all guns to have Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers to be fitted on all existing and new guns. Not only would it allow gun holders find their guns if they\u2019re missing or stolen, but it would track down owners and their guns used in crimes.<\/p>\n
Cochran suggests it would be similar to use gps tracking to locate your stolen car. \u201cJust like if your car gets stolen, OnStar can tell you where your car is. If your gun gets stolen, and you report it, we should be able to find that gun,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In the last year, there have been multiple shootings with the two most prolific occurring in July 2012 and December 2012. In July, James Holmes walked into the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises<\/i>, being shown in Aurora Colorado, and shot his gun more than 60 times in the theatre. 12 people were killed and another 58 were injured. Just six months later, Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother then went to the Sandy Hook Elementary School and opened fire. 20 children were killed along with 6 staff members and teachers.<\/p>\n
Cochran has approached the Committee on Public Safety in hopes of receiving testimony on the new GPS program he wants instated in Illinois and on a national level. He insists the cost of outfitting guns with GPS chips would cost less than what gun crimes cost their state. Cochran isn\u2019t the only one trying to find a solution to the gun crime problem. In Massachusetts, a state senator has a similar goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s measure what it costs in hospital costs, lost wages, deaths,\u201d Cochran said.<\/p>\n
Another concern about the GPS tracking proposal is that registered gun owners would have a violation of privacy. However Cochran responded to this concern: \u201cAs for the privacy of gun owners who could be tracked with the GPS chips in their guns, Cochran said, \u201csafety is \u2026 a much more important issue than is privacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is extremely important that we look past this privacy issue, at this point, and understand how important it is for us to address the issue of safety,\u201d Cochran added.<\/p>\n
The mayor of Illinois has yet to respond to Cochran\u2019s proposal, but it doesn\u2019t change the multitude of suggestions across the state and nationally in response to gun control. Gun crimes and mass shootings are leading to more fear and the desire for stricter laws.<\/p>\n