(Update on Dec. 18 at 5 a.m.) Friday’s murder of 26 people including 20 children by a gunman in Newtown, CT, and more gunplay at a mall outside Portland a few days before prompted Patch to take a new look at the use of an armed guard at C.D. Peacock’s Northbrook Court jewelry store.
A year ago, Patch observed the guard and asked readers how they felt. A majority supported the idea. Patch wants to know if recent events have changed minds in the area. Patch is running a new poll and will publish the results next week.
Patch contacted Peacock President Bob Baumgardner for a comment. He did not return the call.
A year ago, state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) questioned the wisdom of the use of an armed guard in a mall store. Now, she feels differently. She is ready for a new discussion on the issue.
“We have to deal with these issues head on,” Garrett said. “In light of the shootings in Connecticut, there will be more security at schools and shopping centers and perhaps at movie theaters.”
(Last year) An overwhelming majority of readers who responded to Patch’s poll gauging whether security guards at suburban malls should carry loaded firearms believe those uniformed personnel should be allowed to do so.
Of the 119 people who responded, 90 think security guards in stores at Northbrook Court should be allowed to carry guns while 29 are opposed. Nearly everyone who commented favored the use of firearms.
“Does anyone get upset about police officers carrying guns,” reader Bob Levi asked? “I would assume that Peacock hired qualified security people who knew how to handle guns. Looks like the added security worked, because Peacock's wasn't robbed.”
Others would like to see less gun control in Illinois. “Illinois citizens should be allowed to carry firearms too,” reader Donnie wrote.
There was also a debate among readers. Forest Barbieri was disturbed state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) and state Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) would “focus on such a trivial matter,” but he supported the right of C.D. Peacock’s to make its own business decisions.
“Would you rather have the weapon hidden,” Barbieri wrote? “Rock on Peacock! Maybe we should have the armed guards at our local banks and anywhere that sells the new Jordan shoe.”
Another reader, writing under the name Everyoneisrunningamerica, had a suggestion for Barbieri’s unhappiness with Garrett and May.
“You know, if you are that upset about your representatives, you can always write them, and complain to them instead of doing it here, which does nothing,” Everyoneisrunningamerica wrote.
Another reader writing under the name Deadcatbounce thought Peacock’s made the right choice. “Let's see, jewelry store right next to the entrance of the mall and mall close to the expressway for a quick getaway. I would say smart decision by store to have an armed guard,” Deadcatbounce wrote.