Guns Save Innocent Lives in America [OPINION]

A hard-working cab driver in New Bedford, Massachusetts is alive today because he had a handgun and knew how to use it when he was allegedly attacked.

Driving a taxi cab is not most people's idea of an easy job. The hours are long and the income can be unpredictable. Technology has created competition where there was none before, and that has added additional financial stress on the men and women who drive cabs.

But it is also the most likely job to get you murdered. According to the federal government, taxi drivers are over 20 times more likely to be murdered on the job than any other workers. The reasons for their murders are because they are carrying cash, working alone at night, and in urban areas of high crime.

Every cab driver should have a gun on them and know how to use it properly. Without a gun, the taxi driver in New Bedford would probably be dead today.

According to WBSM News:

"Prosecutors say the issue of self-defense is being looked into as part of the investigation into a fatal shooting in New Bedford's North End on Friday.

Before 1:12 a.m. on Friday, a cab driver for Yellow Cab of New Bedford was dispatched to Cottage Street to pick up two male fares, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn. "There was an attempted robbery of the cab driver, allegedly by physical force and with a knife," said Quinn.

The cab driver was stopped in the area of 20 Bentley Street when he was able to escape a chokehold one of the men in the back seat had put him in.

At that point, said Quinn, the driver took out a firearm and fired several shots into the back seat, striking Christopher Dunton, 24, four times. Dunton was found lying on the ground outside of the taxi. He was transported to St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival."

Imagine being alone after 1 a.m at a job you have to work to survive, and you come under attack by two men armed with a knife. This is it, your life is likely over, except you didn't listen to the crowd who screams for everyone to give up their guns and trust the goodness of others and myths of their comic book world. There are bad people in the world. There is no such thing as Superman and Wonder Woman. You have a gun, and you go home that day because you were prepared to be your own hero at that moment.

Owning a firearm is tremendous responsibility and it isn't a decision to be taken lightly. Go to a good firearms store like J & S Guns or Shooting Supply and speak with the folks about getting trained and licensed to own a firearm. Call on the National Rifle Association and Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League to find out about the rules and regulations and to get involved with a good gun range.

Owning a firearm is a right, but it is more of a responsibility.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.