Detroit has one of the highest homicide rates in the country. In 2013 Detroit had over 300 criminal homicides within its borders. Burglary is another crime that saturates Detroit.  In 2013, Detroit experienced 12,935 burglaries. With around 250,000 households, that means Detroiters have roughly a 1 in 20 chance of being burgled. Detroit police chief James Craig has advised Detroit residents to get guns and protect themselves against criminals.

Apparently the residents have taken heed. Detroit and its metro area account for approximately 84,000 active concealed weapons permits as of August 2014.  That means there  is one permit for every 21 households in the area.

A corrupt government, a crash in the real estate market and the losses in the auto industry have left Detroit in a shambles. It is no secret that Detroit is broke.  The city of Detroit, which for years paid its bills with borrowed money, is the largest city in U.S. history under bankruptcy protection. The lack of funds has forced Detroit to cut back on police officers leaving only 2,300- which is just not enough. This has left many residents feeling like they need to protect themselves.

Owning a firearm is not cheap. For those who choose to earn concealed pistol licenses,  the application fee is $105 and courses might set you back anywhere between $100 and $250. Purchased guns cost between $450 and $700, with accessories; including ammunition, add another possible $200-$300.

Now what happens if one of these gun toting residence has a run-in with a criminal believed to be trying to cause them harm? Michigan passed a self-defense act in 2006, referred to nationally as a “stand-your-ground-law”. The law removes an individual’s duty, when acting in self-defense, to retreat.

Instead, it allows individuals who have an “honest and reasonable belief” that they are in imminent fear for their life, serious bodily harm or sexual assault to use deadly force.

This law is known as “Shoot First.” In Michigan you have no duty to retreat. People can shoot and “stand their ground” anywhere they have the “legal right to be” – from a car parking lot, to a supermarket, to a home.

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