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Gun ownership up, crime down
Sierra Times ^ | July 20 2006 | Michael Cook

Posted on 07/20/2006 3:02:33 AM PDT by knighthawk

Many times in the past I have told you that when gun ownership goes up and right to carry laws gets passed, then crime goes down. Well, this last year was proof in the pudding, so to speak. Last year Americans purchased 4.7 million new firearms. 40 states have now adopted right to carry laws for their citizens. This year looks like it will even be a better year for purchase of new firearms. The greatest increase in firearms purchase last year was handguns which went up 3%. Long guns sales were up 1.8%. Ammunition sales were up 3.5%. I am told by the different wholesale people I now deal with from the firearms store that these numbers will be higher this year. Many of the manufacturers like Taurus are way behind on orders, with some several months behind.

Those who push gun control tell us that crime goes up and suicide goes up with more firearms ownership. This was not the case last year. Gun crime, suicides and firearms related accidents declined last year. According to the FBI, there were 339,280 firearms crimes reported in 2005, which is down 2.4% from 2004 and 7% from 1998. The Center for Disease Control reported that firearm suicides were down 1.1%, to a reported 16,907, and they have declined 1.8% since 1998. The National Safety Council said, accidental firearms fatalities, which tied the 2004 figure at an all-time low of 700. That is down 19.2% since 1998.

I inform you of this because I just read a report from the Chief of Police in Washington DC has declared a “crime emergency” in that city. This was in response to a sharp increase in crimes citywide in recent weeks. They had fourteen homicides in the first 12 days of July. A 16% increase in robberies and a 14% rise in serious assaults over the past 30 days.

This is all taking place in our nation's capitol, which has the strongest anti-gun control laws in the nation. No one can own a handgun in that city. This should tell us all something about what the results of strong gun control laws do to the honest citizen. It makes you a victim of the criminal, leaving us with no way to protect ourselves.

It also points out that the training and efforts put out by organizations like the National Rifle Association are having a dramatic effect on accidents with firearms, and responsible use of our legally-owned firearms -- something our schools and government have put on the back burner.

My experience in the firearms store, is more people are asking for training with the purchase of a new, first-time firearm. They want the training and wish to be responsible in the use of the new purchase. This is where government and organizations can come together and do something very important for all of the citizens by providing a facility where this training can take place -- again pointing out the importance of the new gun range planned for the citizens of Coos County.

I said it before and I say it again, “an armed society is a polite society.” It is also incumbent upon all of us to make sure young and old alike have a safe place to learn and practice with their firearms. Please stop by Bay Area Firearms and sign the informal petition in support of the new range. It may save someone’s life and help stop crime.

God bless America and God bless our troops still in harm's way.

Michael E. Cook, Coos County Sheriff, Retired Manager Bay Area Firearms


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; crme; donutwatch; guncontrol; libertarians; sarahbradyswrong; washingtondc
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To: sgtbono2002

21 posted on 07/20/2006 5:07:42 AM PDT by Shooter 2.5 (Vote a Straight Republican Ballot. Rid the country of dems. NRA)
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To: Labyrinthos

alright.. can someone show me an example of any "anti-gun" laws in detroit? i keep hearing people here say it, but i've never heard anything about them having any laws that are different from anywhere else in MI.


22 posted on 07/20/2006 5:48:54 AM PDT by absolootezer0 ("My God, why have you forsaken us.. no wait, its the liberals that have forsaken you... my bad")
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To: Jack Hammer
I've got a couple Romanian AK's, one WASR-10 and one SAR-1. I like the SAR better than the WASR. The double stack mags fit better, because they were designed for it. I have a couple 75 round Chinese drum mags that I use with them too.

A neet feature of the AK is that you can simulate full auto firing using a technique called "bump firing." It works with any semi-auto AK clone.

The way bump firing works is; you hold the weapon down by your hip (pointing it in a safe direction of course), and insert your index finger in the trigger guard just forward of the trigger. Then with a firm grip on the forend (handguard) with your other hand pull forward firmly, the recoil of the weapon will cause it to continue firing until you relax your hold, or until the magazine is empty. It isn't a very accurate way of shooting, but it's a lot of fun, you can go through a thirt round mag in just a few seconds.

23 posted on 07/20/2006 6:06:42 AM PDT by P8riot ("You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone." - Al Capone)
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To: P8riot
The double stack mags fit better, because they were designed for it.

Should read:

The double stack mags fit better, because it was designed for them.

24 posted on 07/20/2006 6:12:10 AM PDT by P8riot ("You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone." - Al Capone)
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To: Jaxter
Here's my last purchase..a Taurus .44 Mag that only weighs 28.3 ounces and kicks like a freaking mule..

I just bought a Henry rifle in .44 Magnum. Octagon barrel, solid brass receiver, beautiful!

25 posted on 07/20/2006 6:12:24 AM PDT by ExtremeUnction
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To: Jaxter

I have a .357 titanium S&W airlite (?)PD(?)
Even that thing leaves a mark with a glove on. Light as hell tho.
I can't imagine a 44 mag (but I'd like to).


26 posted on 07/20/2006 6:13:39 AM PDT by freedomlover (This tagline has been pulled - - - - OK?)
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To: knighthawk
Gun ownership up, crime down

Well, duh.

27 posted on 07/20/2006 6:15:59 AM PDT by CholeraJoe (All Marines can throw a grenade. The really, really good ones can throw a slider with one.)
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To: Shooter 2.5

NRA bump


28 posted on 07/20/2006 6:19:56 AM PDT by EdReform (Protect our 2nd Amendment Rights - Join the NRA today - www.nra.org)
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To: freedomlover
"I can't imagine a 44 mag (but I'd like to)."

I've taken to using .44 Spl. for target practice. Still a pretty good kick though. It's definitely a two-hand gun.

29 posted on 07/20/2006 6:30:14 AM PDT by Jaxter ("Vivit Post Funera Virtus")
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To: knighthawk

Bought a harrington and Richardson 45-70 this year. Why own a gun when you can have artillery.


30 posted on 07/20/2006 10:51:34 AM PDT by TexanToTheCore (This space for hire...)
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To: P8riot

"...you can go through a thirty round mag in just a few seconds."

It sounds like fun, but... uh... a bit expensive! Anyway, thanks for the tip; maybe I'll give it a try. :-)


31 posted on 07/20/2006 12:24:06 PM PDT by Jack Hammer
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To: MizSterious; Nix 2; green lantern; BeOSUser; Brad's Gramma; dreadme; Turk2; keri; ...

Ping


32 posted on 07/20/2006 2:32:31 PM PDT by knighthawk (We will always remember We will always be proud We will always be prepared so we may always be free)
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To: knighthawk

Thanks for the ping.


33 posted on 07/20/2006 2:33:00 PM PDT by GOPJ
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To: knighthawk
I just read a report from the Chief of Police in Washington DC has declared a “crime emergency” in that city. This was in response to a sharp increase in crimes citywide in recent weeks. They had fourteen homicides in the first 12 days of July. A 16% increase in robberies and a 14% rise in serious assaults over the past 30 days. This is all taking place in our nation's capitol, which has the strongest anti-gun control laws in the nation. No one can own a handgun in that city. This should tell us all something about what the results of strong gun control laws do to the honest citizen. It makes you a victim of the criminal, leaving us with no way to protect ourselves.

Powerful stuff...

34 posted on 07/20/2006 2:37:13 PM PDT by GOPJ
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To: GOPJ

As always at your service!


35 posted on 07/21/2006 3:02:59 PM PDT by knighthawk (We will always remember We will always be proud We will always be prepared so we may always be free)
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To: knighthawk

:)


36 posted on 07/22/2006 8:46:56 AM PDT by GOPJ (Evolution: It's not "one" missing link - ALL the links are missing.)
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