What happens when only the bad guys have guns? Haiti has descended into chaos, with law-abiding people disarmed by the government and armed gangs running amok. Why should families be subjected to criminal violence with no way to protect themselves? That’s one reason America’s Second Amendment is so vital to the preservation of freedom. It keeps the thugs and bullies from dominating polite society. Ralph Tedy Erol reports for Reuters on the situation in Haiti, writing:
Panic set in around downtown Port-au-Prince on Monday as wild shooting filled the streets of Haiti’s capital, with heavy gunfire near the national palace.
The latest violence to rock the Caribbean island nation comes as the outgoing prime minister signaled that a broad transitional council is nearly finalized and seen as key to ending the current social and political crisis and paving the way for new elections.
Reuters saw civilians rush to escape gunfire in the capital, where rival gangs control wide swathes of territory, three weeks after Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced plans to step down pending the creation of the council and the appointment of an interim leader.
In a government statement, Henry said the nine members of the council have been forwarded on from regional body CARICOM, but he did not release the names.
Henry noted that a council of ministers must still discuss outstanding legal questions later on Monday in order to finalize the transition.
The discussions threaten to further delay an already prolonged resolution to Haiti’s lack of a functioning government.
Earlier on Monday, gunmen seized an armored vehicle from palace guards in the city center. Meanwhile, four people were found dead in the capital’s relatively upscale Petion-Ville suburb, which has been threatened by gangs.
At least one other person was shot dead amid fighting in the capital’s Delmas district, while local media also reported a large industrial park had been set on fire three days before.
Action Line: Remember, when seconds count, help is often minutes away. You are your family’s last line of protection. Get your gun and your training now. Click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
