Shootings are down, but more are fatal

Philly Inquirer ^ | May 27, 2007 | Joseph A. Gambardello

[School of Rational Thought]

A little after 8 p.m. Tuesday, gunfire erupted on a Germantown street, and after the shattering noise receded, three men lay wounded, one fatally. The death of Akir Thomas, 29, of the city's West Oak Lane section, was the 162d homicide in Philadelphia this year.

The triple shooting, on the 5100 block of Henley Street, mirrored other killings in the city, and with the city on a pace to surpass last year's 406 homicides, officials have taken notice of a quirk in the crime figures:

While shootings overall are down, the proportion of homicides caused by gunfire is up.

Through May 18, guns caused 87 percent - 133 - of the 153 homicides. For the same period last year, the figure was 84 percent. In all of 2006, guns caused 85 percent of the homicides.

[School of Rational Thought]

This commentator comes flat out and writes that the guns "caused" the homicides.

[goldstategop]

Philadelphia Democrats wanted to ban the RTC in Philly and to set up a statewide gun registry. To them, its not the culture, its the guns stupid.

Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[n230099]

"...a proliferation of semiautomatic weapons, often capable of firing .357-Magnum..."

Although a Semi Auto firing .357 exists, I doubt seriously that they are "pro-rifferatin".

[Tall_Texan]

“What we need are safer bullets” - Dr. Joycelyn Elders.

[Scotsman will be Free]

The best part about this article is that it is clearly showing that gangbangers are getting better at murdering each other. That is excellent news.

[kvanbrunt2]

our next mayor is named NUTTER, i kid you not.

[null and void]

Better gun control?

Stance, grip, breathing, acquisition, squeeze...

[null and void]

Hey Mo! Youse guys elected WHO?!?!?

*mrfl* *sneep* BWAwaahaha!!!...

[Disambiguator]

The best part about this article is that it is clearly showing that gangbangers are getting better at murdering each other. That is excellent news.

They're practicing good marksmanship skills, and using one of the hot products on the market.

[Scotsman will be Free]

LOL! Sights on the side. That’s great!

[Myrddin]

It's not the guns. It's who is shooting the guns. Go after the shooters, not the guns or gun owners who aren't doing the shooting. I know this won't happen because the shooters come from protected minority groups. It wouldn't be fair to pick on the people actually committing the criminal acts. The spineless politician chooses to punish everyone instead of the actual criminals.

[MrEdd]

How about this hypothesis:
A good part of the homocide in recent years would have been covered up by the bodies being disposed off in decades gone by, but the proliferation of camera surveillance throughout metro areas has lead to more crimes not being hidden.

Just an observation - not defending the MSM's anti bill of rights grandstanding.

[Myrddin]

I'll just bet the street thugs are paying the big bucks for a Desert Eagle with a .357 magnum slide/barrel/magazine. BS.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"Aim small, miss small."

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

Well, your theory is close to mine.

Think “Gun Buy-backs.”

When Prohibition drove alcohol underground, what was smuggled in? Hard liquor, because it is a more potent, concentrated form.

When drug enforcement tightens up the border and cuts into drug smuggling, what kinds of drugs still get through? Not bulky, weaker marijuana, but cocaine and heroine.

If gun buy-backs really take a significant number of cheap, old Saturday night specials off the street and out of reach of criminals, what guns do they get? Better ones!!

[dbwz]

Bryan Miller, founder of Ceasefire NJ, has recently wormed his way into the offices of Philadelphia's politicians.

You folks in PA best pay attention to this stuff, and start writing and calling your reps if you value your rights.

[Myrddin]

If gun buy-backs really take a significant number of cheap, old Saturday night specials off the street and out of reach of criminals, what guns do they get? Better ones!!

Certainly the poor quality, cheap handguns are going to become scarce. It's not a problem if the drug dealer is selling cocaine and heroin. More income. Money talks. I'm sure that improves access to better guns.

Another point: Saturday Night Special is the abbreviated form of the original phrase. They did that to avoid offending the problem minority group too.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

“Akir” means “shoot me, I’m an idiot”!

[umgud]

with the city on a pace to surpass last year's 406 homicides,

Silly idiots. All they gotta do is pass a law banning firearms and all these homicides will stop.

[philly-d-kidder]

The Problem in Philly is that the judges let these guys go free on Bail and then they never prosecute.. it is a Joke!