Two new studies confirm More guns, less crime

[gejoslin]

Two new studies confirm gun control's worst nightmare: More guns, less crime

• Link Removed
• MAY 28, 2013
• BY: Link Removed

Link Removed

20 year trend shows crime rates on decline as gun ownershipPolicy & Issues newsletter​

​

Two new studies released at the beginning of May 2013 have shown that the primary factor in the reduction of the number of gun homicides and violent gun crimes is not gun control, but rather the proliferation of legal gun ownership.
RELATED TOPICS

• Link Removed
• Link Removed

In a study released by Pew Research, violent gun crimes are significantly lower now than they were at their peak during the mid 1990s. Gun homicides declined 49% from 1993 to 2010, despite the fact that population in the United States grew during the same period.
Other violent crimes involving firearms including robberies, assaults, and sex crimes declined 75% in 2011 as compared to 1993. The data also showed that six-in-ten firearms deaths are actually suicides, meaning they are not victims of criminal violence.
According to Bureau of Justice Statistics, there were 31,672 deaths from guns in the U.S. during 2010. Nearly 20,000 of those deaths were gun related suicides.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans are unaware of this decline in firearms violence. The Pew study found that 56% incorrectly perceive that gun crime is actually higher now than it was two decades ago.
The Pew study utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the DOJ National Crime Victimization Survey and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports.
The same trends are mirrored in a May 2013 Justice Department study from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. According to this study, firearms homicides in 2011 are down 39% since 1993, while non-fatal violent crimes involving firearm declined 69% during the same period.
One interesting aspect of the DOJ study showed that in 2004, state prison inmates were surveyed regarding the source of the firearm they used during the commission of their offense. The survey showed that less than 2% purchased their firearm at a gun show or flea market, 37% obtained a gun from a friend or family member, while 40% obtained their firearm from an illegal source.
There is also clearly no relationship between the number of guns and firearms related violence. In December 2012, the FBI reported a record 2.78 million background checks for firearms purchases. In November 2012, the number of background checks was just over 2 million. The total of FBI background checks for 2012 numbered 19.6 million, an increase of 19% over 2011.
Media attention has not focused on the decline in gun related violence, but rather has emphasized attention on mass shootings like those in Aurora, CO and Newtown, CT. While mass shootings are certainly of great interest and concern to the public, they are a small percentage of all shootings that occur in the United States in a given year.
Fortunately, mass murders, while tragic, are exceeding rare. Mass shootings represent less than 1% of all shooting related homicides.
While many gun control advocates, including Senator Diane Feinstein attempted to use the Newtown tragedy to advance her Assault Weapons Ban proposal, an DOJ analysis of the 1994 ban failed to show that there was a "significant impact" on assault weapons use and failed to support the allegation that large capacity magazines lead to more violent gun crimes.
In all of these studies, there is no data that supports the idea that a reinstatement of any Assault Weapons Ban would have an impact on future tragedies.
While researchers have been unable to reach a clear consensus on exactly why crime rates have declined so dramatically, advocates of gun control have used the events in Newtown to redouble their efforts to pass more limiting legislation, despite compelling evidence that draconian gun laws do not result in a reduction of violent crime.
The City of Chicago has some of the toughest gun laws in America, yet in 2012 there were 512 gun related homicides, an increase of 15% over 2011. The murder rate in Chicago three times the murder rate in the rest of Illinois. Law enforcement also reports that 80% of the murders and shootings in Chicago are gang-related. It would appear that the 'gun problem' in Chicago is really more of a 'gang problem'.
Despite the efforts of gun control advocates and much of the mainstream media to convince the American people that they must surrender some of their Second Amendment rights to reduce gun violence, the data simply does not support that conclusion.
Perhaps these revelations will help the American people recognize the wisdom of Ben Franklin's words when he said "Those who would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety."

Link Removed

 

[UATKP]

Thanks, G, for posting this. Good info to have on hand for instruction.

 

[ROGERFP]

Before we set up more rules, regulations and laws to protect the public from bad things research needs to be done to see what caused the bad thing from happening. I get so angry with people who want to, Ready, Fire and then Aim. I feel that is what many legislators and Governors are doing in regard to gun control.

We know that alcohol and driving kills many more people each year why don't we require that anyone with a DUI have the breath testing device to be installed on all automobiles that they own. If someone loans a convicted drunk driver an auto and the driver is caught drinking and driving, then the person who loaned the drinker an auto must install the breath testing device on all the autos they own. I know this reply is not about us losing our 2nd Amendment rights but we need to look at the real problems we have and work on solving them.

I live in CA and we currently have 22 anti-ammunition and assorted "gun-grabbing" bills moving through our legislature which is controlled by the democrats who currently have "Super Majority" status. On April 16 the Senate Public Safety Committee passed 11 bills on, even through County Sheriffs, the NRA, NSSF, police officers, and MANY other organizations along with many public citizens provide facts as to why these bills should not move out of committee. If you live in CA or any of the other states that are trying to take away our rights, you need to dig down and donate money to your favorite organization(s) that fights for our 2nd Amendment rights.

We can win this battle if we are willing to do something about it.

 

[fuhr52]

There's a pattern here that keeps coming up concerning gun control. The democrats appear to be the main party behind the bills that call for more restrictions. While not all democrats are anti 2A most anti 2A are democrats. Every time I hear about more gun control it's coming from the democrats. Anyone that opposes them doesn't care about the children. Any pushes for higher taxes and more spending is coming from the democrats. Anyone that opposes doesn't care about the poor and grandma. Why is it that democrats keep getting elected? Why are people complaining about the direction this country is going? :help:

 

[vernsimpson]

There's a pattern here that keeps coming up concerning gun control. The democrats appear to be the main party behind the bills that call for more restrictions. While not all democrats are anti 2A most anti 2A are democrats. Every time I hear about more gun control it's coming from the democrats. Anyone that opposes them doesn't care about the children. Any pushes for higher taxes and more spending is coming from the democrats. Anyone that opposes doesn't care about the poor and grandma. Why is it that democrats keep getting elected? Why are people complaining about the direction this country is going? :help:

The short answer is "low information voters"!! They get their news from MTV and such!

 

[dogshawred]

Thank You G, great information.
~
Used you source and posted to my Facebook page to try and help with the education of at least some people who might be unaware.

 

[Jarhead6541]

There's a pattern here that keeps coming up concerning gun control. The democrats appear to be the main party behind the bills that call for more restrictions. While not all democrats are anti 2A most anti 2A are democrats. Every time I hear about more gun control it's coming from the democrats. Anyone that opposes them doesn't care about the children. Any pushes for higher taxes and more spending is coming from the democrats. Anyone that opposes doesn't care about the poor and grandma. Why is it that democrats keep getting elected? Why are people complaining about the direction this country is going? :help:

The main reason I and many others can't get behind voting Republican is the religious fanaticism. Using pious philosophy to degrade homosexuals, undermining womens' rights,and pushing for religion in schools are a few of the backward and offensive motives of this party. Though this electorate has many good intentions and concepts, Constitutional conviction being one, some will find it difficult to back certain unfriendly and outdated ideas.

But, I will not vote or campaign for any government official who's for gun control or found to be anti-gun rights. This assault on the Second Amendment should be the top issue, for all of us, right now. If we don't stand up, we will surely fall.

 

[acram]

I agree with Jeff. The second amendment is the most important item that is currently under constant and multiple front attack. Write your Senators and tell them where you stand on the United Nations Treaty! They must not surrender that amendment to the United Nations. Without the USA financial support that miserable mostly anti American institution would crumble. Obama will doubtless sign it. Only the Senate can stop it.

 

[BuddhaKat]

The main reason I and many others can't get behind voting Republican is the religious fanaticism. Using pious philosophy to degrade homosexuals, undermining womens' rights,and pushing for religion in schools are a few of the backward and offensive motives of this party. Though this electorate has many good intentions and concepts, Constitutional conviction being one, some will find it difficult to back certain unfriendly and outdated ideas.

But, I will not vote or campaign for any government official who's for gun control or found to be anti-gun rights. This assault on the Second Amendment should be the top issue, for all of us, right now. If we don't stand up, we will surely fall.

I wrestle with the same things about the Republican party, but I look at it like this, The Republican party is out of touch with its members. They're focusing on and devoting resources to things that I quite frankly think they have no business being involved with. That doesn't mean that I'm not a Republican. I believe in a Constitutional Republic and I don't accept that some knothead politician can usurp my beliefs by pronouncing me a Republican In Name Only.

For the record:

• I'm an atheist, but I get so Gawd damn mad at these atheists that want to stop the prayer before commencment or the game, or a cross at a war memorial, or the 10 Commandments in a government building. Why the hell can't you have a nativity scene in the park at Christmas? For that matter, what the hell is wrong with Christmas? I do not believe in a divine being. I do not believe in God and nobody could possibly convinc me otherwise, but I damn well will shut my pie hole and hold still to respect someone while they pray. If you feel so inclined, you can pray at my table anytime you want. I'll hold off from eating until you finish. What would offend me is if someone held back a prayer they wanted to give because they think I might be offended. There is no downside to loving God and I will forever stand on the front lines in defense of people's right to freedom of religion.
• Gay rights: I don't think there should be any such thing. I think we should all have the same rights so matter what a person's race, creed, color, religion, or sexual preference is. If someone wants to be gay, it's their business, not mine. If two gay people want to get married, let them. Marriage isn't something the government should be regulating anyway. It sure as hell isn't something the Republican Party should be getting involved with. Why anyone would want to be gay is beyond me, but I'll respect that they have the freedom to make that choice for themselves.
• Abortion: I'm pro choice. Pro Life/Pro Choice has been argued ad nauseam, so I'm not going to get into the why's, it's just the box I check.

There's a host of other things I wish my party would quit screwing around with, and a whole host of things I wish they would be doing instead, like reducing the Federal deficit and the size of the government. I want lower taxes, less government intrusion and a much smaller federal budget. That's what I want my party to be dealing with. That's what it means to be a Republican.

 

[mappow]

The main reason I and many others can't get behind voting Republican is the religious fanaticism. Using pious philosophy to degrade homosexuals, undermining womens' rights,and pushing for religion in schools are a few of the backward and offensive motives of this party. Though this electorate has many good intentions and concepts, Constitutional conviction being one, some will find it difficult to back certain unfriendly and outdated ideas.

But, I will not vote or campaign for any government official who's for gun control or found to be anti-gun rights. This assault on the Second Amendment should be the top issue, for all of us, right now. If we don't stand up, we will surely fall.

We of the GOP have never asked you to relent your ideas of a free and just society. What our party was based upon was Abolitionists and their disgust with Federal Law concerning returning slaves back to southern States. Unfortunately GOP members have bastardized this "Check & Balance" to facilitate their own manipulation of the process. The process is being "RE-ELECTED".
I don't ever remember homosexuality being listed in the Constitution.

 

[arbordale]

The main reason I and many others can't get behind voting Republican is the religious fanaticism. Using pious philosophy to degrade homosexuals, undermining womens' rights,and pushing for religion in schools are a few of the backward and offensive motives of this party. Though this electorate has many good intentions and concepts, Constitutional conviction being one, some will find it difficult to back certain unfriendly and outdated ideas.

But, I will not vote or campaign for any government official who's for gun control or found to be anti-gun rights. This assault on the Second Amendment should be the top issue, for all of us, right now. If we don't stand up, we will surely fall.

Have you ever considered joining us(Republicans) and help us to change some of the things we don't enjoy about our party.

 

[Chief1297]

Spouting facts to a liberal is like a teenager trying to tell a caveman how to use powerpoint. The caveman dont care. Facts mean nothing to the liberal as it usually doesnt coincide with their agenda.

 

[Chief1297]

Have you ever considered joining us(Republicans) and help us to change some of the things we don't enjoy about our party.

I firmly believe that it would be much easier to start with a new conservative party. A lot of republicans dont get it as evidence by their performance and actions in the past few decades. I pulled myself from that party a long time ago.

 

[mappow]

I firmly believe that it would be much easier to start with a new conservative party. A lot of republicans dont get it as evidence by their performance and actions in the past few decades. I pulled myself from that party a long time ago.

It ain't nothing but change, change back to what founded this party. As always, learn from your past. Today's Rino's are only looking for re-election not principals. The PUSH has to come from those that elect.

 

[Jarhead6541]

Have you ever considered joining us(Republicans) and help us to change some of the things we don't enjoy about our party.

Truthfully, no. Religious fundamentalism is too firmly entrenched here. I find organized religion to be the most polarizing and divergent belief system in history. Each specific denomination regards their book, their prophets/saints, their words and their faith the only correct one. To compromise on these beliefs is heresy. This only leaves us with the inability to communicate intelligently and live together in a peaceful society. Considering that no religion I've heard of is based on historical fact, logic, evidence or even a modicum of reality, just makes it that much more of a menacing joke.

If you've read BuddhaKat's post, everything he wrote [with the exception of public prayer at non religious events---at home, go for it] I agree with & could easily have written myself, word for word. My go too's are scientific fact, reason and logic. No hard feelings if you don't agree.

FYI--I do not vote according to party line. I vote for the candidate best suited to follow Constitutional principles and protect each individuals' rights and the right for each individual to protect himself.

 

[gejoslin]

I'm personally an independant with Republican tendencies! Both sides don't like me. :happy:

 

[Chief1297]

Truthfully, no. Religious fundamentalism is too firmly entrenched here. I find organized religion to be the most polarizing and divergent belief system in history. Each specific denomination regards their book, their prophets/saints, their words and their faith the only correct one. To compromise on these beliefs is heresy. This only leaves us with the inability to communicate intelligently and live together in a peaceful society. Considering that no religion I've heard of is based on historical fact, logic, evidence or even a modicum of reality, just makes it that much more of a menacing joke.

If you've read BuddhaKat's post, everything he wrote [with the exception of public prayer at non religious events---at home, go for it] I agree with & could easily have written myself, word for word. My go too's are scientific fact, reason and logic. No hard feelings if you don't agree.

FYI--I do not vote according to party line. I vote for the candidate best suited to follow Constitutional principles and protect each individuals' rights and the right for each individual to protect himself.

Actually, it is the atheist or nonbeliever that raises most of the issues. Your "scientific fact, reason and logic" comment is nothing but an insult which most atheist are prone to do. Instead of respecting an individual's right to say a prayer before a game, atheist or non-believer's want to make sure that the believer's rights are quashed instead of taking a minute to reflect on their own. I can sense the hate in your input and hope you get over your hate of all things religious. While I may agree with the fact that there may be some zealots out there, for the most part, most "religious" folks I know dont care what you believe but only want to be free to practice there own thing. Religion answers the questions for people that your science cannot answer. I believe that science reveals Gods work but you are free to believe anything you like. Religion is only polarizing if you let it be. When was the last time someone forced you to pray? There are more examples of people being stopped from praying then being made to pray. Relax, soon we will all know the answer.

 

[opsspec1991]

John Lott put out a book with the same name of this post, It's got some really good facts in there, although it's kind of dry, it took me a few days to read my copy, but it's worth it. I've seen him a few times and most of the time the poor guy can't get a word in because the moderator -IE- Piers Morgan shouts over him and he can't get the facts out, anyway check out your local library and see if thieve got it.