The correlations between gun laws and gun crimes in America. (Nationwide.)
Again, you die-hard conservatives begin by redefining the base of the issue and diverting as much attention as possible from details which are vital to understanding. You do so on every major issue. Below are some of the relevant factors with regard to gun crime which you chose to ignore.
The reported statistics do indicate that gun crime rates in America, in general, have been falling since 1993. That's no secret. It's been reported hundreds or thousands of times on television and radio. It's been acknowledged and discussed in dozens of debates that I've taken part in. Surely, thousands across America. It's no secret. It's also been reported thousands of times that there are far more guns in America now than there were 40 years ago. All of the above is common knowledge. However, those statistics and apparent correlations are nowhere near as simple as you die-hard conservatives believe. In fact, much of what you believe is the exact opposite of reality.
Over the last 20 years or so, more and more states have been adopting more strict gun laws. Some even have their own bans on assault weapons (defined by law). These more strict gun laws do not place limits on the number of guns that citizens are allowed to own. They do not involve black vans showing up in the drive ways of gun owners in order to confiscate their arsenals. They simply add logical steps and verification to the process of acquisition, possession, use, and transport in order to prevent criminals, those under the influence, those unqualified, and the mentally ill from acquiring them so easily and using them so irresponsibly. The only outright 'bans' involve the sales and transfers of very specific types and models. Types and models which far exceed the level of firepower necessary for hunting or self defense.
In general, these states have lower rates of gun homicide per capita. There are anomalies but in general, that's the rule. Once the more strict gun laws are given time to have their desired effect in a given state, they do. It's well documented. These states are considered with all others when National gun crime rates are calculated.
For many years now, there have been extraordinary efforts on the part of law enforcement to reduce the numbers of guns on the street. Hundreds of thousands have been confiscated from criminals or bought back through well publicized events. Tens of thousands have been melted down. Tens of thousands more have been sold to gun shops who then re-sell them to law abiding citizens. Either way, the overall effect is positive. These efforts do effect national gun crime rates.
These efforts have been necessary to counter the constant flow of guns into America and onto the streets. Overall, the efforts of law enforcement are positive but it's a constant battle. One problem is that gun owners often sell them out of their garage or to a friend. They do so with no back round check. Others are stolen from irresponsible gun owners who fail to store or secure them properly. Because of these factors, street gangs and drug dealers are far more heavily armed now then they were 40 years ago. This is well documented.
In order to be prepared for what they often encounter, law enforcement agencies across America have had no choice but to drastically increase their own arsenals and levels of firepower. This helps to compensate for the sheer volume of guns on the streets of most major cities. Also for the wide-spread possession of assault weapons by ordinary citizens.
Another factor regarding those statistics is that street gang members and other criminals are far less likely to report gun crimes. Otherwise, the overall gun crime statistics would be slightly higher.
Regarding the Assault Weapon Ban in effect from 1994-2004. It's been reported to have a slight effect on overall gun crime rates but for the most part, it was designed specifically to effect the trend of mass shootings. In particular, those with higher body counts. This, it did very well. By reducing overall access to assault weapons and higher capacity magazines, psychos were made less likely to acquire them by any means. As a result, the trend of higher body count mass shootings was reversed almost immediately. In fact, that ten year time frame is the only ten year span within the last several decades in which no shooter, acting alone, was able to make the current 'Top Ten' list. Not a single one from 1994-2004.
Unfortunately, that federal ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines expired in 2004. Since then, we have seen the sharpest rise ever in higher body count mass shootings.
Now for a look at the dates of the top ten most deadly mass shootings in US history, the weapons used, the body counts, and the relevance of the now expired AWB.
#10. 1949. (Camden NJ, One handgun.)13 dead. Pre-ban.
#5. 1966. (University of Texas, Multiple firearms.) 16 dead. Pre-ban.
#4. 1984. (San Ysidro McDonald's, One UZI ASSAULT RIFLE with HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES, one handgun with HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINE, and one shotgun.) 21 dead. Pre-ban.
#6. 1986. (Edmond PO, Three handguns. One of which (the Ruger) may have been of high capacity. No confirmation.) 14 dead. Pre-ban.
#3. 1991. (Luby's Cafeteria, Two handguns. One or both with HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES.) 23 dead. Pre-ban.
Notice that a growing trend was evident as of 1991. Assault weapons and/or high capacity magazines were being used more often to achieve higher body counts.
#7. 1999. (Columbine, Two attackers. Multiple firearms and use of explosives.) 13 dead. Mid-ban.
The assault on Columbine High School was the only 'mass shooting' to make the current top ten list mid-ban. Unlike the others, that incident involved two attackers working together with explosives and extensive preparation. The firearms used were not effected by the AWB.
The ban on 'assault weapons' and high capacity magazines expired in 2004.
#8. 2009. (Immigration Services, Two hand guns with PREVIOUSLY BANNED HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES.) 13 dead. Post-ban.
#9. 2009. (Fort Hood, Two handguns. One or both with PREVIOUSLY BANNED HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES.) 13 dead. Post-ban.
#1. 2007. (Virginia Tech, Two separate attacks spaced roughly two hours apart. Two hand guns, 19 magazines, some of which were of PREVIOUSLY BANNED HIGH CAPACITY.) 32 dead. Post-ban.
#2. 2012. (Sandy Hook, ONE PREVIOUSLY BANNED AR-15 ASSAULT RIFLE with PREVIOUSLY BANNED HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES plus two handguns. EVERY SINGLE VICTIM WAS SHOT AT LEAST ONCE WITH THE PREVIOUSLY BANNED AR-15 ASSAULT RIFLE EQUIPPED WITH PREVIOUSLY BANNED '30 ROUND' MAGAZINES. EVERY SINGLE VICTIM.) 26 dead. Post-ban.
Again, 6 or 7 of the top 10 most deadly 'mass shootings' in US history have been carried out primarily, or in part with 'assault rifles' and/or high capacity magazines. This includes #1, #2, #3, #4, #8, #9, and possibly #6. Plus #11 and another 'mass shooting' which took place a few months ago in New Mexico. All four of the most recent top ten most deadly 'mass shootings' were carried out using previously banned 'assault weapons' and/or previously banned high capacity magazines. Record-high body counts were achieved as a direct result. The statistics above do not account for the deaths of the shooters.
The now expired ban saved lives not only by banning the sale of specific models of 'assault rifle' but also by banning the sale of high capacity magazines to private citizens. This effectively reduced access. Again, five of the top ten most deadly mass shootings in US history took place before the enactment of that ban. Two or three of which were carried out primarily, or in part, with specific models and/or magazines that would have been covered by that ban. Another four of the top ten most deadly mass shootings in US history have taken place since the expiration of that ban. Those four were all carried out primarily, or in part, using previously banned models and/or previously banned high capacity magazines. When high capacity magazines are used, they give the shooter the ability to carry more rounds, fire more shots, reload less often, and achieve a higher body count with greater ease. Confidence is almost certainly a factor as well.
The very presence of these 'assault weapons' in our society appears to have a negative influence on some. Adam Lanza and Nehemiah Greigo were both raised by gun fanatics. Both had access to a parent's AR-15 and high capacity magazines which they used to commit mass murder.
With all of these factors and details to consider, it is safe to say that 'more guns equals less crime' is a belief held by the terribly misinformed. The low information voter.
Just for the record: I am not a democrat. I am not anti-gun. I am a free thinking non-partisan owner of multiple firearms who believes in strong regulation. Regulation which no law abiding citizen has any reason to fear.
No comments:
Post a Comment