Q & A in the Los Angeles Times

The San Fernando Valley in California is experiencing a rash of "Takeover Robberies" in restaurants and other small businesses. A takeover robbery is when a group of robbers enter an establishment and rob everyone in there. It is violent and dangerous. Let us see what the L.A. Times has to say about this in the Q & A feature:

Analyzing Troubling Surge of 'Takeover' Robberies in the San Fernando
Valley

From a Times staff writer

August 23, 2006

Question: There have been more than 200 "takeover" robberies of restaurants and other businesses over the last year. Why has this become such a problem?

Answer: Los Angeles police officials believe that robbers have discovered they can make out with a good deal of cash and valuables by targeting local restaurants without facing the tight security of banks. The upturn comes as bank robberies in Southern California have plunged — 455 last year compared with 2,600 a year during their peak in the early 1990s.

Could a major part of the problem be that it is illegal for folks in most of CA to defend themselves? Could it be that the bad guys know that a restaurant full of law abiding citizens is easy pickings?

So what is the answer to this problem? What can restaurants to to protect themselves from these predators?

Q: What can businesses do to protect themselves?

A: Officials have talked to some retailers about taking steps to keep from becoming victims. ..

... Officials have urged restaurant owners to make sure back doors are locked and to consider beefing up security.

Problem solved.

This is just another example of how strict gun laws just make it easier for criminals to commit crime, of how strict gun laws endanger the lives of law abiding citizens.