Story Archive

The Truth Hurts

After his deputies arrested a man on attempted rape charges, Spartanburg County (S.C.) Sheriff Chuck Wright called a press conference to announce, “Our form of justice is not making it.” Walter Lance, 46, he said, had been arrested more than 20 times before. “We had 20 opportunities to make sure this guy didn’t rape anybody and we failed to do it,” the sheriff said. “I’m tired of looking at victims saying, ‘There’s life after this’. I’m tired of saying, ‘We’re sorry, we can’t keep them in jail.’” So he gave citizens some advice: “I want you to get a concealed weapons permit. Don’t get Mace. Get a firearm.” Wright says “It’s too bad someone with a concealed weapons permit didn’t walk by” when the woman was being attacked. “That would fix it.” And, he says, “I’m going to keep telling you the truth.” For instance, Wright doesn’t think everyone should be armed. “I don’t think some people should be able to procreate,” he said, “much less have a weapon.” (RC/WYFF Greenville) ...In time, we’ll have to have a permit for that, too.