Posted on 09/06/2026 5:10:28 AM PDT by MtnClimber
In 1994, the Clinton Administration conducted a gun control study, particularly addressing the number of defensive gun uses every year. They were certain they’d debunk the numbers—up to 2.5 million—which would produce more restrictive laws. Despite using biased methodology, they found, to their horror, 1.5 million. They tried to bury the results, but they leaked. They learned an important lesson: be careful what you ask for; you might not get it.
In The CDC honestly reports; gun grabbers would prefer they didn’t, I reported on another updated effort gun grabbers hoped would damage that 2.5 million reality. It didn’t:
In 2021, professor William English published the findings of his National Firearms Survey, by far the most comprehensive assessment of gun ownership ever conducted. The data demonstrated that defensive gun uses were commonplace, that ordinary Americans really like the weapons gun control activists hate most and that longstanding stereotypes about the "sort" of Americans who exercise their Second Amendment rights were misplaced.
Gun control activists predictably hated this. They attacked the report’s conclusions and author, blasting the survey over nitpicky concerns. English explained how the alleged problems wouldn’t have significantly impacted the results. Critics categorically dismissed the report anyway.
So, English humored them. He re-administered the survey, "fixing" its alleged "mistakes."
With the Supreme Court soon to clarify the Bruen “in common use” test, Gun grabbers were desperate to prove virtually no one owns AR-15s and “high-capacity magazines.” The new survey estimated 26.4 million own AR-15s and 44.5 million own magazines with greater than 10-round capacity. Because surveys are always taken from small samples compared with the actual population, and gun owners are notoriously suspicious of gun surveys, both numbers are surely low.
The original 2021 survey found 1.67 [million] annual defensive gun uses. That appalled gun grabbers
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
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This story reminds me of the time the WHO did a study on the effects of second hand smoke on children and found, to their horror that it had a “preventative effect “ with respect to their lungs. That is it made their lungs stronger. They tried to bury that one.
In 2023 I did a 25 state, 11,000 mile solo motorcycle trip. I had to conceal in two states, SC and FL (now an open carry state). In WI and MI I got looks like I was a three headed alien but never had a problem.
One night while walking my beat in DC, I came across an old man who was packing a pistol.
During the conversation that followed, he said something that I’ve never forgotten,
“I’d rather you catch me with it than them young bucks catch me without it.”
After making sure no one was watching, I handed it back to him.
Responsible,rational gun owners like myself (yes,even in Massachusetts) don’t commit crimes with our firearms. If we use them at all we use them to hunt (I’m not a hunter),range practice or self defense. We don’t have a “gun violence” problem in this country...we have a “violent criminal” problem and a “crazy people who should be in a locked psychiatric hospital” problem.
All very good news. Every one of those who carry will know which Party stands against their right to armed self-defense.
Massachusetts obviously wasn’t one of those 25 states!
Remember when California put a HANDGUN gun registration and ban bill before the public in 1982? GUARANTEED TO PASS, it was rejected by the voters. I don’t believe any gun bans have been put before the public voters since.
https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_15,_Handgun_Ownership_and_Registration_Initiative_(1982)
I remember 1988 when California proposed a bad AW ban bill. So much opposition was raised against it the bill was shelved.
I felt something bad was going to happen in California. I was right! The State CREATED A CRISIS to get it passed.
The state released Pat Purdy from a mental institution for the 7th time, allowed him to buy guns over the counter, in violation of state and Federal laws, passing the waiting period.
He then IN 1989 went and shot up the Stockton School yard killing several students and himself.
The shelved bill was pulled out and passed so fast before opposition could be mounted against it.be mounted against it.
I often wonder if such a thing is also happening in Californicated COLORADO and other states to get such gun bans passed. Never put ANYTHING past the Democrats to grab your guns.
The government doesn’t like people being armed.
They’d rather crime go up so they can “justify” putting Flock cameras everywhere.
The CDC’s mandate doesn’t include mental health. Given what we know many mass killings involve individuals with mental health issues.
The CDC should stay in their lane. Trump needs to prune their budget appropriately.
Well said, FRiend.
Well said.
". . . we have a “violent criminal” problem and a “crazy people who should be in a locked psychiatric hospital” problem."
In a nation of sheep, be a sheepdog. Never leave home without something in your pocket. The life you save might be someone else’s.
And if only Nolan Wells had been packing, he would not have been lynched by that bunch of white supremacist klansmen and left hanging from that tree in the forest on Horn Island! Until someone cut his body down and tossed it in the water. (note: sarcasm)
You know, strange to wonder, but I do...
What the HELL does the Center for DISEASE Control have to do with firearm possession?
It’s not anywhere close to their wheelhouse.
The CDC originally did this study because Bill Clinton directed them to do it. But Bill did not like the results.
Good on you.
How long ago was that and what percentages of officers shared your thinking?
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