Victims' Rights

I saw this poster in a local Post Office this morning, courtesy of The National Center for Victims of Crime and the Office for Victims of Crime.

Victims' Rights: Every Victim, Every Time.
Right to Protection
Right to Restitution
Right to Be Heard
Right to Enforcement
Right to Compensation
Right to Dignity
Right to Attend
Right to Return of Property
Right to A Speedy Trial
Right to Be Informed

Sponsored by: US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime. National Crimes Victims' Rights Week, April 22-28, 2007.


On the surface, it looks pretty good - after all, who could possibly be against supporting the victims of crime? I noticed two things, though... First, all of these listed rights are "after the fact" rights. They're things that are considered due to someone who's already been a victim. While they are good rights, they still make the victim potentially dependent on Uncle Sam to take care of them and fix things after the fact. Which leads to the second thing: None of the listed rights deal with preventing oneself from being a victim.

Where the heck is the right to not be a victim? The right to be secure in one's own home, car, or personal space? The right to defense of self and family, and the right to defend one's own personal property?

"Just give the criminal what he wants. That (fill in the blank) isn't worth losing your life over." No, my life is worth more than any possession, but giving the criminal what he wants only encourages him to victimize someone else afterwards. Bullies become bullies because they've learned they can get away with it. When someone (or several someones) stand up to them, yes, someone might get hurt, but it also has the potential of preventing someone else from being bullied afterwards.

Personally, rather than submit meekly as many of our hoplophobic leaders want us to do in the face of thuggery, I'd rather depend on my own awareness, and my right to defend myself and my loved ones, and my property. The criminal is the one invading my space. He's not going to have my permission, or my thanks, for threatening me or mine. This is why I invested the time, money, and practice in a CCW permit, with my husband's blessing. This is why many states now offer the option of concealed carry. And concealed carry is contributing to the decline of violent crime, statistically, everywhere it's been actively pursued by the general law-abiding public. No matter what the MSM, and the Feinsteins and Bradys want us to think.

Thank God I live in Texas, instead of some place like California, Chicago or New York City. If my life is in danger, I will do what I can and not hide in the closet, hoping that "Dear Old Uncle" will make things "all better" afterwards.