"Gun-free" zones once again left innocent civilians defenseless in the face of a madman.

Recently, an ISIS terrorist was able to stab nine people at will in the St. Cloud Minnesota mall thanks to the mall’s “Code of Conduct” that forbids firearms or illegal weapons.

Luckily, an off-duty police officer was able to stop the terrorist before he could inflict greater harm.

But he was the only one legally allowed to carry a firearm for self-defense at Crossroads Center.

The truth is criminals and terrorists do not care about “gun-free” signs posted at churches, movie theatres, restaurants, and other venues open to the public.

The national media and anti-gun politicians have been quick to use terrorist attacks like these as pretexts for passing more restrictive gun legislation.

What the anti-gunners refuse to acknowledge is that the overwhelming majority of these attacks take place in “gun-free” zones.

The recent mass stabbing in St Cloud, Minnesota is another indicator of this alarming trend. And it happened a few hours’ drive from South Dakota!

Despite explicitly prohibiting firearms or illegal weapons, the Crossroads Mall fell victim to a stabbing spree committed by a deranged ISIS terrorist.

History has clearly demonstrated that “gun-free” zones are a “Welcome Sign” that let madmen and terrorists know that their victims will be unarmed and defenseless.

That’s why the solution is to expand gun rights and restore the rights of law-abiding citizens to be armed in light of these threats.

Sadly, the politicians in Pierre still believe that “gun-free” zones are a solution to prevent future shootings.

State-imposed carry regulations only disarm the law-abiding and make them easy targets for lunatics in “gun-free” zones across the state.

How many more tragedies will it take for politicians to wake up to the harsh reality that “gun-free" zones are essentially criminal safety zones that allow criminals to attack the law-abiding with relative ease?

Criminal Safe zones do nothing to deter criminals from waging war on Americans going about their daily lives. 

In fact, they empower criminals, disarming law-abiding men and women who wish to defend themselves.

You know the drill from the gun grabbers: never let a “crisis” go to waste.

You and I both know that Hillary Clinton and anti-gun South Dakota politicians will work every angle to restrict our rights.

Expect them to pounce on this “opportunity” soon.

Your continued engagement and activism could be the only thing that stands between our gun rights and the coming gun control schemes.

I know you’re as outraged about so-called “Gun-free" zones as I am, so I hope I can count on you to chip-in at least $10 or $20 or whatever you can afford to help make sure we have the resources needed to end “gun-free” Criminal Safety Zones.

Patrick, your continued engagement and activism could be the only thing that stands between our gun rights and the coming onslaught of gun control schemes.

Here is what you can do to help:

*** Please continue to pray for the families of the victims and those injured by the horrific attack in Minnesota.

*** Consider chipping in $10 or $20 to South Dakota Gun Owners so we can send your politicians a loud and clear message that the gun rights of South Dakotans must be respected and that the implementation of “gun-free” zones will only further endanger the lives of our loved ones.

For Freedom,

Ray Lautenschlager

Executive Director

South Dakota Gun Owners

P.S The recent ISIS stabbing of nine people in the St. Cloud Minnesota mall is a stark reminder of why “gun-free” zones leave people defenseless in the face of criminal and terror attacks.

Fortunately, an armed citizen was able to stop the terrorist and prevent a horrific tragedy.

What the gun grabbers won’t tell you is that “gun-free” zones do not deter criminals, but instead force our loved ones to be at the mercy of deranged criminals and terrorists.

Contrary to what the media and the politicians say, it takes an armed citizenry to secure the safety of our communities.

That’s exactly why South Dakota Gun Owners is continuing our push to restore South Dakotans’ God-given right to self-defense by mobilizing Second Amendment supporters all across the state to restore our God-given right to keep and bear arms.

Please consider chipping in $10 or $20 to help South Dakota Gun Owners keep up the fight to allow South Dakota citizens the right to protect and defend themselves against tragedies like the violence in St. Cloud.

ray.lautenschlager@sdgunowners.com