RICHARD EPSTEIN: Gun Control Is Not A Magic Bullet. “Enacting tougher gun laws will do little to prevent another Aurora. James Holmes had cleared all background checks when he purchased his weapon. The other problem with gun control is that it leaves society at large in a more vulnerable position. A prohibition on firearms will shift the ratio of guns held in lawful and unlawful hands to favor the latter. Potential criminals, knowing that they are less likely to meet armed resistance will, on average, be more willing to commit violent offenses.”