EDITORIAL: Guns decrease murder rates

THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | January 21, 2010

[kingattax]

More guns in law-abiding hands mean less crime. The District of Columbia proves the point.

Reading most press accounts, one would be forgiven for thinking Armageddon had arrived after the Supreme Court struck down the District's handgun ban in 2008. Predictions sprung forth from all directions that allowing more citizens to own guns and not forcing them to keep them locked up was going to threaten public safety. According to D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, more guns in homes would cause more violent crime.

This has never been the case. Local politicians enthusiastically embraced the 1977 handgun ban predicting it would make Washington a safe place by dramatically reducing murder rates. But they were as wrong three decades ago as they are now

[pillut48]

What’s the next editorial? SUVs save lives?

Common sense, people. Not so common, especially in gubmint involvement.

[Oldpuppymax]

The left couldn’t care less about gun crime. Leftists violently oppose the ownership of firearms in the United States because it is very difficult to enslave an armed people. Period.

[Cuttnhorse]

No surpise to most FReepers...but great to see.

[USS Alaska]

Riddle me this Batman, did I just read that evil guns, in the hands of law abiding citizens, REDUCED MURDERS?

Robin, lets get back to the Batcave, we will work on the nytimes crossword puzzle. I'm sure we'll find the answer.

[Manly Warrior]

Once again, it was about control, not safety. Now, since the rest of the country (almost minus IL and WI) has at least some form of concealed carry as well as a generally accepted right to keep arms, our murder and other violent crime rates have fallen astronomically. DC will likely see downward trends as well, as more residents obtain and use firearms to defend themselves.

It is as simple as 2+2, but then again, some folks cannot do simple math either.

Best;

[divine_moment_of_facts]

Except when they are in the hands of Liberals!

[Ouderkirk]

Second Amendment protections were put in place so that citizens could shoot operatives of an oppressive government, not deer.

[BitWielder1]

It is as simple as 2+2

It is.
As long as criminals have guns, everybody should have the right to have guns.
It's not just a good idea, it's the Law.
Law-abiding citizens with guns are like antibodies to the infection of crime.
(And I include corrupt government in the "crime" category.)

[basil]

The Times is probably hoping that Chief Lanier will read it and be able to understand what it says—but IMHO, that’s a pretty long shot!

[chuck_the_tv_out]

"allowing more citizens to own guns"

you mean

recognizing the right of citizens to own guns

Enough with this "allowing" talk. THAT'S EUROPEAN THINKING.

[Gabrial]

“...murders in the District fell by an astounding 25 percent, dropping from 186 to 140.”

It puts a crimp in a murderer's plan when the intended victim might be armed.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

Sorry this is way too easy. I have to say...

GUNS DON'T SAVE LIVES,
IT'S THE PERSON THAT PULLS THE TRIGGER

[Carry_Okie]

The left couldn’t care less about gun crime.

On the contrary, they LOVE it. It justifies more unionized police, more clerks, more prison guards, more invasive laws, more ruined families, more dependents...

Thus they gain two permanent indentured constituencies: one a claque of armed bureaucrats to do their bidding and the other to inflict a crime spree upon their enemy, an independent the middle class.

Leftists violently oppose the ownership of firearms in the United States because it is very difficult to enslave an armed people. Period.

Which is only possible once the former mechanics have done their work.

[bicyclerepair]

Kel tec .380 never leave home without it (in your pocket).

[umgud]

Don’t forget that the last 15 months or so has brought the lasgest spike in gun sales we’ve ever seen, yet there is no corresponding blood in the streets to go along with it.

[stevie_d_64]

And in some cases they save court costs...

[antiRepublicrat]

It is as simple as 2+2, but then again, some folks cannot do simple math either.

For our overlords, 2+2=5 in the orwellian sense.

However, 2+2 does equal 5 for very large values of 2. Fitting for the libs, since that fact involves not knowing what's going on in reality, instead relying on overly simplistic representations of reality and compounding the error.

[DoughtyOne]

The Washington Times continues to be a bright light in the darkness of the leftist dominated print media. My kudos go out to that fine paper’s editorial staff.

[algernonpj]

Second Amendment protections were put in place so that citizens could shoot operatives of an oppressive government, not deer.

ROFL