Last week, the FBI issued its preliminary 2009 crime report, showing that the number of murders in the first half of 2009 decreased 10 percent compared to the first half of 2008. If the trend holds for the remainder of 2009, it will be the single greatest one-year decrease in the number of murders since at least 1960, the earliest year for which national data are available through the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Also, the per capita murder rate for 2009 will be 51 percent lower than the all-time high recorded in 1991, and it will be the lowest rate since 1963—a 46-year low. Final figures for 2009 will be released by the FBI next year.
According to gun control supporter dogma—“more guns means more crime”—the number of privately owned firearms must have decreased 10 percent in 2009. To the contrary, however, the number rose between 1.5 and 2 percent, to an all-time high. For the better part of the last 15 months, firearms, ammunition, and “large” ammunition magazines have been sold in what appear to be record quantities. And, the firearms that were most commonly purchased in 2009 are those that gun control supporters most want to be banned—AR-15s, similar semi-automatic rifles, and handguns designed for defense. The National Shooting Sports Foundation already estimates record ammunition sales in 2009, dominated by .223 Remington, 7.62x39mm, 9mm and other calibers widely favored for defensive purposes.
Also indicative of the upward trend in firearm sales, the number of national instant check transactions rose 24.5 percent in the first six months of 2009 compared to the first six months in 2008, the greatest increase since NICS’ inception in 1998. Through the end of October, NICS transactions rose18 percent, compared to the same period in 2008.
More Guns Means More Crime? Hardly. In 2009, more guns meant less crime, in a very, very big way.
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Yep, the numbers of murders went down as gun ownership increased. This is significant; especially so in light of the fact that violent crime always increases when the economy tanks.
On a side note.... $500 for a 1,000 round case of .223's at Gander Mountain last night? Dang, they're pricing the paupers out of owning the stuff. It was under $200 a couple years back. It's too darned expensive to shoot someone...
Interesting how gun owners draw the conclusion here that more guns lead to less crime. It is fact that blacks are a minority in this nation, yet comprise almost half of the prison population. Could Obama's election to the presidency have lead some blacks NOT to pursue a life of crime? I would sure think so. Not that this was a good reason to elect Obama, but I think it surely could have had a greater impact on rates of crime in this country than simply saying that people buying more guns was the reason for it.
On a side note.... $500 for a 1,000 round case of .223's at Gander Mountain last night?
When i visit my son and daughter in Cypress, my son takes me to the Gander Mountain store in Spring. The prices in that place are rape, even worse than Cheaper Than Dirt.
Interesting how gun owners draw the conclusion here that more guns lead to less crime. It is fact that blacks are a minority in this nation, yet comprise almost half of the prison population. Could Obama's election to the presidency have lead some blacks NOT to pursue a life of crime? I would sure think so. Not that this was a good reason to elect Obama, but I think it surely could have had a greater impact on rates of crime in this country than simply saying that people buying more guns was the reason for it.
For starters, I don't see where anyone on this thread tried to make an argument that more guns equals less crime. Only that more guns doesn't mean more crime.
Secondly, you imply that such a conclusion would be wrong, then in the very next sentence propose a conclusion that is 10 times more ludicrous.
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Interesting how gun owners draw the conclusion here that more guns lead to less crime. It is fact that blacks are a minority in this nation, yet comprise almost half of the prison population. Could Obama's election to the presidency have lead some blacks NOT to pursue a life of crime? I would sure think so. Not that this was a good reason to elect Obama, but I think it surely could have had a greater impact on rates of crime in this country than simply saying that people buying more guns was the reason for it.
This is one of those headbutting claims that the gun control groups have previously made using simple numbers as their proof; i.e. if you have more guns, there are more opportunities for violence to occur. It's similar to the concept that if you have more cars on the road, there will be more accidents.
Both arguments presuppose that simple numbers are the only variable or causal factor for the results and are equivalent to junk science.
For example, there have been increases in the numbers of cars on the road almost every year but there are many other variables that have actually driven down the number of accidents in different years. These variables include skyrocketing price of gas in some years, DUI crackdowns by police, crackdowns on uninsured and/or unlicensed motorists, DUI education programs, etc.
The gun argument presupposes that additional guns will result in additional violence beyond the normal level of violent crime or "violence." What this supposition ignores is that more guns sold means more law abiding people now own guns since nobody can honestly track how many illegal guns are "purchased" by criminals each year. This means more honest citizens who would already become victims of crimes now fight back and often turn the tables on criminals, resulting in more criminals either being captured and/or killed and fewer criminals operating in society. It also sends a strong deterrent message to would-be criminals and likely does deter some additional crime.
As to Steve's assertion that Obama is serving as a positive role model and deterring black crime, I certainly hope so but honestly don't know either way. I doubt (but also don't know) if Obama being President is deterring white crime and think it is more likely that more guns in society is probably having a positive effect.
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The seven states that require background checks on all guns sold at gun shows are among those with the highest crime rates. Those states are: California, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Oregon, New York, Illinois and Colorado.
Quote:
A Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report on “Firearms Use by Offenders” found that 0.8% of prison inmates reported acquiring firearms used in their crimes "At a gun show," with repeat offenders less likely than first-time offenders to report acquiring firearms from a retail source, gun show or flea market.
FBI Reports Huge Decrease In Murders As Firearm, Ammunition And “Large” Magazine Sale
