Posted on 01/19/2007 10:48:45 AM PST by Graybeard58
Gov. M. Jodi Rell and many lawmakers want to make criminals out of people whose guns are stolen or lost and then used in holdups and such. That responsible gun owners notify police as soon as they realize their weapons are missing doesn't seem to matter to regulation-happy politicians.
Still, it shouldn't be very long before they are citing a new Harvard study that claims homicide rates are higher in states where more households have guns. (Don't expect them to point out the research was funded by Joyce Foundation, which believes "firearms remain virtually unregulated.") But the study, based primarily on telephone interviews of random Americans, presented little in the way of cold, hard facts. Here are some:
The British banned handguns in 1997, and their violent crime rate doubled in four years; today, it is twice that of the United States, according to the United Nations.
Australia enacted strong gun-control laws after a 1996 massacre at a popular tourist attraction. In the first six years, murder and manslaughter rates, which were expected to plummet, were unchanged while armed robberies soared 74 percent, the government reported. In the 25 years before gun control, violent crime had been dropping steadily.
Switzerland has 6 million people, 2 million guns and a gun-crime rate so low the government doesn't bother to measure it.
More to the point of the Harvard study:
Washington, D.C., has the toughest gun laws in America, but its homicide rate is eight times higher than its Virginia suburbs and six times the national average, the FBI says.
America's violent-crime rate peaked in 1991, but it has fallen since then to the lowest point since the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics began keeping track. Over the same period, states that enacted tougher gun laws saw violent crime increase by an average of 22 percent.
And before the governor and lawmakers jump the gun on new weapons laws, they should know:
A 2005 National Academy of Sciences study could not name a single restriction that had reduced gun-related crime, suicides or accidents.
Only 1 in 4 violent crimes in this country are committed with a gun. Fists and knives are criminals' weapons of choice.
Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.
If you want on or off this ping list, let me know.
Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.
If you want on or off this ping list, let me know.
I recently read a draft of a proposed new gun law for MD. It really appears draconian. Does anyone know about this one?
I love the reality out of Australia. This should be shoved up every gun-grabbing socialist's address --- we know the goal is disarming the public. Yet, they still try and find lies that to justify their never-ending attempts to violate the Second Amendment which they fear for the very reason it was added to the Bill of Rights.
Let me correct that for you.
More households have guns in states where homicide rates are higher.
I cherish my Second Amendment rights, which is why I might start looking into CT gun laws.
But Heaven forbid we should start calling it Amendamente Segundo. That's when I move to New Zealand.
I think this is a great idea. Lets also make people criminals if their car is stolen and used in crimes or if their credit cards are lost/stolen and used in crimes. Or how about making politicians criminals if the laws they pass result in more crime. The list could go on and on!
bkmark
Manufacturing illusions at well above the minimum wage is the favorite industry of Liberals.
I dont live there but I read a little of it on line here.
It appears they ban any rifle OR PISTOL that is CAPABLE of holding more than ten rounds.
Bump.
CT BANG/PING!
state your source please.
Thanks for the pings! I'll ping the CT list...
Connecticut ping!
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
I think this is a great idea. Lets also make people criminals if their car is stolen and used in crimes or if their credit cards are lost/stolen and used in crimes. Or how about making politicians criminals if the laws they pass result in more crime. The list could go on and on!
Here you go: Any murder committed with a weapon stolen or otherwise obtained from a police officer would also subject the negligent or crooked cop to the same penalty as the killer, to include the death penalty.
And any legislator whose law results in death or injury to a citizen should share the same fate. After all, equality for all under the law is a cornerstone of our system.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.