Are Rising Gun Sales Responsible for Declining Crime?
- Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:00pm by
Becket Adams
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A few weeks ago, The Blaze ran two stories that focused on the national decline in violent crime.
It was pointed out that, for years, experts have maintained that crime rates increase with rising unemployment and poverty rates. Yet, data released earlier this year from the FBI show a marked decrease in the national violent crime rate between 2005 and 2010, even as unemployment and poverty have continued to rise.
Nationwide, the crime rate has declined 13.9 percent from 469 incidents per 100,000 individuals in 2005 to 403.6 in 2010. In fact, 2010 was the fourth year in a row crime has declined in the U.S.
If poverty and unemployment cannot explain the dramatic drops in crime rates, what can? Research found that what accounted for those declining incidences of assault, murder and robbery were local projects, improvements in law enforcement, and urban development — usually, a combination of these.
But there may be another reason: guns.
“Guns sales have been up significantly over the past 9 years,“ said ”Field and Stream” Editorial Director Anthony Licata.
As gun sales have been up, violent crime has decreased nationwide by 13.9 percent. Is there a correlation?
“U.S. handgun production has tripled in those nine years . . . and firearm productions up over 2 million units in those years–increase–and violent crimes are down 13 percent. So, clearly putting more handguns into the hands of more Americans isn’t causing more crime,” the Fox Business host concluded.
“That’s right,” Licata agreed. “And you’re seeing this reflected in the broader culture. ‘Field and Stream’ and ‘Outdoor Life,’ our newsstand sales are bucking the trend, up while other magazines are down . . . it’s becoming more and more accepted.”
See “Field and Stream” Editorial Director Anthony Licata discuss the increase in gun sales on Fox Business:
Of course, it was also pointed out on The Blaze that there are some cities where the crime rates continue to climb (despite the national trend).
However, some of the common factors in these cities are the spread of regional gangs, changes in law enforcement tactics, and funding issues. Therefore, it might be more accurate to attribute the rise in crime to poor policy. Fix the policies, fix the issue.
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Comments (254)
rationallyurs
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:46pmthink about what the thug-in -chief would do if we did not have guns—
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:58pmKnowing that there are lots of guns acts like random urine tests in sports. A petty thief…or the Commander in Thief will think twice before trying to take too much too quickly.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:06pmThe question was asked and answered in the book Freakeconomics. And it was done based on real data and real statistical analysis. Not wishful thinking or blatant superficial biased.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:27pm… an armed society is a polite society …
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:54pmActually… I am worried… that we do not have enough Guns & Ammo!
Report Post »Krutch
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 5:28pmHe’s doing it anyway!
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:54pmIndeed, criminology studies for years have proved that increased firearms ownership reduces crime. The most comprehensive, taking in every county in the nation, over a 12 year period, was Professor John Lott’s. His finding was that where guns were the most prevalent, crime was the lowest. Of course this makes sense since law-abiding gunowners, who own 99% of the guns in the country, are not criminals. Of all the guns in the country, 99% of the guns are never used in a crime in any given year. Mr Lott published his study in a book: More Guns, Less Crime. We also know that as states passed CCW (concealed carry) laws, they would notice a significant decline in their crime rates. Mr Lott’s study also found that kids who grow up with guns in the house, are less likely to become involved with drugs. Probably because those families are closer knit and enjoy things together like camping, hunting, trap shooting, competitive shooting, etc. Recidivism remains the largest impediment to lowering the crime rate.
Also, gun-related accidents have been dropping for years, due to safety programs funded and operated by shooting clubs, The Shooting Sports Foundation, the NRA (Eddy Eagle Program), etc.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:06pmYes, back in 2009, I did think about what Der Obamissar would do if there were not an armed citizenry. So I bought my first gun. I still have not fired the thing, but Obama did make me a gun owner.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:12pm@Chuck Stein
The only industry that Barry has stimulated is the firearms industry.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:14pmCome to think of it, gun ownership increased substantially under Klinton too. Democraps seem to be good for the gun business.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:31pmchazman,
Report Post »“an armed society IS a polite society”… Those words are more true than anyone realizes…
Secret Squirrel
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:44pm.
Report Post »“Are Rising Gun Sales Responsible for Declining Crime?”
yes.
Ruler4You
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:32pmI‘m thinking that with government now saying it is bringing the use of ’Drones’ into the domestic “surveillance” ‘markets’, (as I predicted they would) folks are thinking government has determined to begin attacking citizens at some point, right here in the good ol’ USA.
It’s only a matter of psychology to conclude that folks are thinking of possibly being forced into defending themselves, some day, by an out of control government.
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:42pmPut it in context. If those guns sales are to the average American person yes it is safer. If you allow the DOJ and Obama administration to sell guns (Fast and Furious) then no, crime will rise. This Democratic administration brings forth nothing but evil and crime.
Report Post »RantNationDotCom
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:07pmThis youtube video shows in a very real way how armed, law abiding citizens can lower the crime rate. Caution: strong language
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W91EWQv4Fc
jzs
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:47pmPrivate citizens don’t own guns in Japan, and they have a far lower crime rate than the US. So, by the logic of the posters here we should ban guns. Is it that simple?
Report Post »rdietz7
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:49pmTrust me ,Obama is doing those things and worse to people kid. Now for reality. Those figures reflect two terms under a conservative President. Crime takes time (to spread). Just wait and see what happens when they redo this poll in 2015. I hope you’re one of the lucky ones and you live to tell. Crime is on the rise! Mark my words, hold me to it on twitter @rdietz7 follow me kiddies! Wwwaaahhhhahaha! Or remain lost in the dark and afraid of the bogeyman. Love you blazers!
Report Post »Anadara
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:49amThe most dangerous cities in the US all have defacto gun bans. (i.e. DC, Chicago, New York) The same is true internationally. Mexico bans citizen ownership of guns whereas countries that allows broad ownership tend to be very civil.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:57amI have, oh a gun or sum, and I have NEVER had an act of crime perpetrated against me. Not once. Not even my next door neighbor who’s a looney tunes union fruit will trespass on my property. He’s even spied with field glasses on my shooting range, and been amazed at the deer hanging in my tree while dressing them out. Or it could be that I‘m a 6’7 290 pound “N” word with a gun, and a proven disposition to use it that keeps him at bay. He knows my dogs need food too!
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:37amGiven the chance I believe he’d outlaw Christmas also,
Report Post »Mo Better
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 11:22amJust think about what he will do anyway…
An armed citizenry, armed as is common today, makes no difference to the Maniac-Mohammedan-In-The-White-House. Superior numbers combined with superior technology will take down the “resistance” block by block and America will be disarmed before they realized what happened.
Do not trust the military or the police to be on your side when TSHTF. They will follow the orders of their superiors – in the case of the military they will follow the chain of command, the police will follow the instructions of their union stooges.
You will be on your own and unless you want to be swept up early on you’d better give a great deal of thought to your planning and preparation – well in advance of when they blow your front door off its hinges…
Report Post »hud
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 7:37pmgun ownership helped keep the Japanese out of here in WW 2, since Clinton you can’t keep them on the shelves, and ammo gets scarce.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 1:08pm@jzs
Japan doesn‘t have the same ’criminal class’ that we do. However, Japan’s suicide rate is 3 times higher than ours.
Report Post »Fillup
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:45pmNobody mentions how the crime rate in our federal government has shot up through the roof 1000% in recent years. Has no one noticed but me?
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:10pmAnd also look at so-called “White Collar” crime. Corporate fraud is rampant…
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:41pmThat‘s because that’s where all the criminals went.
Report Post »Cornflake
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:08pmI agree with your statement. The entire government, along with our judicial system appears to be corrupt. The FTC stated they have enough information to bring charges against political leaders who used information for insider trading. Although, they decry that it is legal, it is certainly morally corrupt. It just goes to prove why the government thinks they live in penthouse, and are not accountable to anyone! Of course they state they didn’t do it personally. I’d guess they picked up the phone, and told their broker what to buy. I always say that there’s nothing left to surprise me, but it seems there’s something new everyday!
Report Post »RedneckJim
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:15pmWell, Anonymous, they really seem to flit back and forth between the government, colleges and universities, and the boards of many, many companies. The list is very long of Congressional spouses and ex-government officials who sit on multiple boards of directors making over $100k from each company to meet once a year and “direct” the companies’ operations. It happens on both sides of the aisle. The difference is that the progressives have overtaken the mob as the largest criminal organization – in the WORLD!
Report Post »mred33
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:56pmYes, other people have noticed. The reason it has gone up is because Congress and House members are not worried about anyone shooting them for raping this country. They get away with it simply because they either pass laws or exempt themselves from the laws that everyone else has to live by. They also use offices like the IRS to control us so that we cannot do anything to them. Anyone steeling money from other people normally have to do it face to face, while government bureaucrats do it through other offices of the government.
Corporate crime is up simply because they do it behind everyone’s back. If they did it out in the open, they would go to jail because they are not sharing it with politicians. If they would share it with politicians, then they would pass laws so they could get away with it. The problem as I see it is, the corporate criminals are to selfish to share it with them.
As for the criminals running our streets, they are just smart. They know that it is not wise to try and hold up a person that is armed if there is a chance they could get shot in the process. As for the numbers changing, look at the West compared to Chicago or N.Y. City and you can see the difference in crime. Chicago and NYC bans guns and out West the guns are a way of life.
Ed
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:58pmI would worry about this petty crime, if it weren’t for the way more significant threat posed by Barry, Reid, Pelosi and the greater democrap party
Report Post »nicky j.
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:43pmYes, because the criminals are afraid of dying and going to that HOT place.
And! The bible says we have a right to defend ourselves from Tyranny, I’m talking about the current anti-Christ government of the United States.
Report Post »LOTO
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:18pmI cant seem to find that in my Bible.
Report Post »Could you please post the scriptures?
Thanks
eillem123
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:19pmIt’s not in the Bible, but it’s in the Constitution!
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:16pmThe right of self-defense is God-given. And that’s how the Founders considered it.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:17pmYou know you don’t have a Bible, Loto.
Report Post »SniperLikeAccuracy
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:42pmCrime is down because liberals are in the Whitehouse hell bent on destroying our country. Put a Republican in office and kick all of Obama’s Czars on the street and you will soon see crime rates rise again.
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:44pmWell that didn’t make a helluva lot of sense.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:20pmhuh?
Report Post »John10Yes
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:44pmI think he is saying that all the criminals are in the democratically controlled white house. Go with a republican controlled whitehouse and all the crimnals will be out on the street robbing us in person rather than through policy!
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:45pmWhat the crazy ?
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:42pmA nuanced post….
Well, there is no doubt that crime increases by way of the democrap’s marxist tendencies. Class Warfare is meant to enrage the populace, to hate people with more than they have, and to blame other people for what they don’t have. And that leads some challenged people to believe that they have a right to the property of those other people. The OWS is steeped in this thinking. And at the present time the OWS is the vehicle that Barry and the democraps are using to campaign with.
Report Post »sgtstubbs
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:45pmRemember smoking is bad for you, it will effect you brain…Good luck…
Report Post »shakedowncrews
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:41pmTo the naysayers and other dithering idiots, let me point out at least ONE potential crime that didn’t occur because of a gun. My wife and children were waiting for me at a remote area along the Colorado river while I and a group boated down to her. Some wacko in a van pulled in and started activing very suspiciously, looking at her and the kids and looking to see if there was anyone else around, and then he got out of the van as if to approach her.
She slid her pistol in its holster around for him to see and he stopped. he looked at the gun and at her and then got back in his car and drove away.
THAT is a statistic that never happened, a likely crime that was deterred by gun ownership, as it was clear to my wife by his body language that he had nothing good in mind.
Statistics ONLY show the crimes that occured and CANNOT show the millions of crimes that DIDN’T occur because the “victim” refused to be victimized.
The police will be happy to draw chalk lines around the cadavers of liberals who are so eager to become statistics.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:47pmYup!
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:54pmThere ya go! Molon Labe.
Report Post »PPMStudios
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:00pmThanks for that. Those are the kind of stories I love to hear!!!
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:14pmNice!
Report Post »SekndAmendment
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:18pmScary situation but I’m glad your wife and kids are okay. Stories like this are why my wife and have guns.
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 5:57pmThat is the definition of a “responsible American”. Good on your family.
Report Post »Slipstick
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 6:34pmI am reminded of Clint Eastwood’s (Dirty Harry) question: “Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, DO ya???”
Report Post »eillem123
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:24pmsometimes that’s all it takes – show the power. Years ago, I was riding in the car with my husband who accidentally pulled out in front of someone. The man must have had road rage because he passed us, slammed on his brakes, and jumped out of his car heading straight for us. My husband casually opened the glove box, and pulled his pistol out just enough so the guy could see it – the guy said “he!! – never mind!” turned and got back in his car and drove away.
Report Post »sgtstubbs
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:41pmGreat story…I carried one for 30 years and never had to report using it. Could be I was to Liberial to shoot…LOL….Then again the 222 lbs 6 2 did not help. But I did have to smack a few people…You should note that I was the only LEO for 44 miles, and backup was not a option. So only one side of the story would be written.
Report Post »republic2011
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:39pmCriminals don’t buy guns legally, so the laws only hurt law abiding citizens. Liberals are either extremely stupid, or they have an agenda. I believe both, but, to be fair, the politicians tend to fall in the latter category. I vote for no more gun laws and having the 2nd amendment fully instituted. You want to see crime drop, that will do it.
Report Post »762x51
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:43pmThere is just something about that word “criminal” OH yeah, it is by definition comprised by people who do not obey the law. For example . . . Obama.
Report Post »GLOBALCRASH
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:33pm“I’ve got a shotgun, rifle, and a 4 wheel drive, and a country boy will survive!!”
Hank Williams Jr.
Report Post »Getsome2
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:39pmlol
Report Post »lapua338shooter
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:31pmYEAH!!! Ol Hank knows!
Report Post »BannedByHuffpo
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 5:17pmAnd I think he chews Beechnut
Report Post »oldchevyguy
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 6:41pmDitto!!!!
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 7:25amGot a pump shotgun with a 18 inch barrel loaded and ready, an AK47 for longer range, and the wife and I are both liceensed to carry. We don’t leave the house without our pistols. We also practice often with all of the weapons.
OMG
Report Post »walkintruth
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:31pmAmericans are clinging to their religion and guns! Right on.
You can’t expect anyone to protect you. Look what happened when Katrina hit. They actually disarmed the people that were left behind and they had nothing to defend themselves when the mobs started.
Report Post »Jinglebob
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:48pmObama, single handed caused a major drop in street crime!
Report Post »I will never forget a poster on the wall of my neighborhood gun shop. A nice posed photo of our president and under it, the words, “Our Number One Salesman of the Year.”
Everywhere I look the most popular handguns and shotguns are hard to come by, even at premium prices. Ammo was hard to find in popular calibers more a year or more. Manufactures have been working two and even three shifts to fill demands. Obama can claim he increased jobs as well, at least in this area. Most concealed weapon classes are full, the quality ones anyway. Another plus for Obama. It takes months now to get cleared for the permits. It‘s a fact that when the criminal doesn’t know who’s around him on the street and in the store, he might think twice before criming. (is that a word?)
Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:23pm@Jinglebob
Remember when Comrade Klinton got the “assault weapons” ban? Well, really the semi-auto ban of military looking guns since for all practicle purposes assault weapons, that is to say fully automatic weapons have been banned since 1934. Well, in anticipation of that law, thousands upon thousands more of the guns on the hit list were bought. Probably 10 or more years worth of these weapons were bought up in the year preceding the law’s enactment.
Report Post »Rightallalong
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:47pmAnd Bill OReilly thought it was just fine that the rights of the people were taken away during Katrina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isd0FlGb_LY
and he defends his trashing of the constituion here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICoiFBWGX4M&feature=related
Bill O is NOT a freind of the Constitution and believes that Government knows best. Bill’O is sad reality of the fake conservatives that have ruined the republican party and are working hard to ruin the Tea Party
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:31pmThe criminal justice system and liberal judges are part of the problem not part of the solution…they turn felons loose in a revolving door system until they go too far…i.e. recently we had potus thug shoot an kill an undercover cop for which he went to jail but he had been arrested and gone to court “186 times”…what is wrong with that picture….everything! When thug meets armed home owner he is put down…no jail, no trial, no free lawyer or costs to taxpayers…problem is over “forever”…what’s right about that picture…everything!
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:51pmAmen
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:30pmEVERYTHING! Yes recidivism is the main cause of whatever our crime rate is.
Report Post »garyM
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:30pmOh I’m sure high guns sales has helped in crime but I would say the main reason we see crime drop in the stats is non enforcement and piss poor data keeping. The same people who are entering crimes stats are the same type people who gave Sylinda 575 million dollars and declared them as solid company, the same people who declared Fannie and Freddie sound as a rock! Most of younger generation has no knowledge other than video games and rock singers, I’ve knew for years we were in trouble when the younger generation took over the White House, congress and the work force. we see it everyday on screwed up insurance claims, mistakes in all kinds of utility billing, you name it. It’s a full time job just straitening out their screw ups! They can’t even read a water meter right, they radio the reading (make a guess) and drive on. They can’t help it, it is the way they were raised with no Biblical teaching! Actually it’s the previous generations fault, the parents of those who are running things now!
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:43pmEver watch a clerk trying to make change when the cash register doesn’t do it for them???? It’s embarassing, FOR THEM. HAHAHAHA……… pathetic
Report Post »eillem123
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:26pmIt started when God was taken out of the public schools.
Report Post »MetalPatriot
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:47pmThe kids can‘t count change because employers don’t teach them how to do it. Period. I‘ve worked in low level service jobs for many years and know it to be true because I’ve had to train them. Only one of my many jobs made it a point to teach change counting along with counterfeit detection….all tied in for the cause of good service and safety.
The problem is how businesses operate.
Report Post »BAKLAR
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:29pmAny chance that the ‘cities where the crime rates continue to climb’ would also happen to have the most restrictive laws on firearms? Handguns in particular?
Report Post »An armed society is a polite society from what I’ve heard.
AxelPhantom
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:29pmChicago, with the SCOTUS ruling last year dropped 14% in the murder rate after people there could no longer be prevented from owning handguns.
“And murders in D.C. have continued to fall. If you compare the first six months of this year to the first six months of 2008, the same time immediately preceding the Supreme Court’s late June Heller decision, murders have now fallen by 34%.”
http://biggovernment.com/jlott/2011/10/04/chicagos-violent-crime-rates-plummet-after-scotus-removes-handgun-ban/
Report Post »mikemo187
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 5:17pmI wrote a speech about this in one of my college classes a few years back. Compared NY, CA, IL and a couple other states with strict gun control to states like TX, WY, and a few others with less gun control. Found that states with less gun control had consistently lower crime rates, and consistently lower fire arm murder rates.
Report Post »Kankokage
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:26pm“As gun sales rise, does violent crime decline?”
Is the Pope Catholic? That this is even being debated in this country is deplorable.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:30pmHow about all those new conceal carry permits also? They really don’t know who is armed .. ;-)
TEA!
Report Post »jzs
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:35pmLet’s see. IPod sales are also up. Smartphones, organic foods, sales are increasing too. Amazon book sales are up. Average temperature on Earth is up. The sun is nearing the middle of a sunspot cycle. Maybe one of those explains it.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:42pm“Nationwide, the crime rate has declined 13.9 percent from 469 incidents per 100,000 individuals in 2005 to 403.6 in 2010. In fact, 2010 was the fourth year in a row crime has declined in the U.S.”
So, according to the articles, handgun ownership has soured in the last nine years–so, since roughly 2002.
What the article failed to mention is that crime did not suddenly start to decline in 2005, nor in 2002. Violent crime has steadily declined since its peak of 758.1 incident per capita in 1991. In 2002, when the supposed rise in handgun ownership began, crime had already declined from 758.1 to 494.4. That’s a drop of over 250 incidents per capita, approximately 1/3rd.
So, let’s review the facts:
Violent crime declines from 746.8 incident to 494.4 incidents from 1993-2002 (9 years)
A difference of approx. 250
Handgun ownership starts rising in 2002.
VIolent crime continues to decline from 494.4 incidents to 403.6 from 2002-2010 (8 years)
A different of approx. 91.
Even taking into account the 1 year difference in the time periods here, the crime rate plummeted far faster (more than twice as fast) before the so called surge in handgun use.
So by ignoring this data, The Blaze tries to convince us that somehow it’s handguns that are reducing violent crime.
Source: http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:06pmHey JZS,
This must be another one of your “Much too complicated of an issue for simplistic ideas” ?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/us/24crime.html?_r=1
http://blog.thejustnation.org/2011/05/gun-sales-continue-to-increase-crime-rates-continue-to-decrease/
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:07pm@PubliusPencilman
The findings of criminologist, Professor John Lott’s seminal study was published in 1998. The study included every county in the nation over a twelve year period. He subsequently published a book based on his findings: More Guns, Less Crime. His study took into account the reduced crime rates of states that had passed CCW (concealed carry) laws. You are the antithesis of the Publius of the Federalist Papers.
@JZS
Thanks for the non sequitur.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:45pmBilly I’ve read your articles. Neither clame a relationship between crime rate and gun ownership. Ownership of gun by private citizens in Mexico is going up, and so is the murder rate.
It’s only simply to simple minds, not including your of course!
Report Post »On The Silent Wings Of Freedom
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:20am@PUBLIUSPENCILNECK
“So, according to the articles, handgun ownership has soured in the last nine years–so, since roughly 2002.”
No, it hasn’t soured at all. In fact, it soared during that period.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:21amOK Baghdad Bob, whatever you say.
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:26pmAs they say, I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6!
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:25pmAccording to VP Biden (the gaffe that walks and breathes) if we do not do what he and Obama wants, there will be an outbreak of rape and murder.
Let us look at the actual FACTS shall we?
To date in this economic Depression (it is an actual Depression-4 quarters of declining GDP~if you take away the Federal government deficit spending, we have a negative 7-9% GDP) the violence rate has actually declined. Hmmmm, could that have a systemic correlation with the increased gun and ammunition sales? Being that I hate correlation being a causation proof, let us go into more formative proof shall we?
States in the last 3 years have been taken over not by Republicans, but by conservatives. Open carry and concealed carry has been one of the factors in that turnover. Still, another correlation and not causal.
How bout this, the leftists have been so busy with their OWS effort, all the rapes and murders are centered there?
Still to correlative and not causal? How bout this, ever since Obama and Holder quit giving guns to drug dealers in Mexico and the US, crime rates have gone down, still too correlative and not causal?
How bout this one? Criminals do not like to attack those that will put them 6 foot under, that is pretty straight forward huh LEFTIES!
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:23pmThe number of police shot in the line of duty is at an all time high.
Report Post »drago
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:31pm@marybethelizabeth aka encinom
Report Post »So proof, or stfu!
David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:35pmNo proof, just made up bull, typical.
I bet you are all emotional huh?
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:38pmOh now Mary there you go with the crazy talk,even if it were true they’re not getting shot by citizens with a permit to carry.The people who shoot at the police are criminals and not permit holders,hate to break it to you but it’s true Mary.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:40pmThere have been hundreds of articles this year about the huge increase in killings of police officers…for this year. Seemed to be a story a week for the first 6 months of 2011…nation wide.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:44pmYou have to remember that Mr. Beck considers himself an opinion maker. He is only going to present the amount of information necessary to persuade one to accept or validate an already held opinion.
Report Post »His mind is made up. The truth is irrelevant.
GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:44pmThere are too many police enforcing far too many laws that they have no business enforcing, additionally, there are a lot of former shell shocked vets and roid rage types in the forces now. It’s not easy to stay un-shot when you’re walking around looking to start a fight.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:51pmStory: USA TODAY Fatal Shootings of Police Officers on the Rise 7/20/2011. I’ve posted the link twice but those posts and another post have been censored
Report Post »Tracker2021
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:01pmIt is true that attacks on police have increased. That has nothing to do with legal gun ownership. It does however have something to do with an increase in gangs, drugs moving into the US from Mexico, and the drug cartels.
Report Post »inferno
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 5:06pmMarybethelizabeth,
Report Post »Please tell us how many police officers have been shot by “legally” owned weapons carried by non felons who have concealed weapons permits, and how many have been killed by “Illegal weapons” carried by street felons. I believe I know what you will discover.
trench99
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 6:32pmYou are correct, however they are being shot by black young juvenile males primarily. Using illegal guns stolen.
Report Post »Slipstick
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 6:36pmSure as hell, not by law-abiding CPL holders…
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 6:51pmA couple of years ago a neighbor of mine two blocks away shot the newspaper delivery guy as he was delivering the newspaper to the people that lived next door to him.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:16pmLol
Report Post »762x51
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:20pmRising gun sales result in a lower recidivism rate. All of the major crime in the country is happening in Washington DC. If you really want to lower crime then use those guns on those a-holes. When the appropriate amounts of gunfire are applied LIBERALLY to Marxists our problems will diminish.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:32pmI’m hoping that one good side effect from all these guns being in the hands of citizens, will be the return to a more civil society, where good behavior and manners are valued, like they once were in this country. Maybe some of the a-holes that typically are rude and/or threatening to others, will refrain from shooting their mouth off…..if they know that the chances are good, the person they are mistreating might just be armed.
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:20pmMakes sense, more guns in the hands of law abiding citizens means less crime.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:29pmIn a state such as New Jersey where Governor Christy has lowered the tax rate and police have been laid off, violent crime has increased .
Report Post »Makes sense?
David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:38pmMarybeth is attempting to equate specific areas to prove the overall.
Is that not just typical of a lying leftist. How bout giving us some facts and attributable data their Mary?
Oh, you are like the Global warmists like Al Gore, right?
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:40pmHey Mary, it snowed in Wisconsin last night, does that prove Global Warming is a myth because it snowed here?
Frelling idiot!
By the way, New Jersey is one of the toughest anti gun states there is, does that not prove the EXACT OPPOSITE of what you are stating?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:49pmOh my. Lowering taxes is not a spur or detractor of crime. Laying off police, or hiring police, do not impact crime, all cops do is show up after the fact no matter how many there are. Jersey, where self defense is highly frowned upon and gun ownership is more or less illegal, is a poor example for you to try and make your point Enicom, it proves the opposite of what you intended. :)
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:58pmI’m pointing out a correlation. dI’m not suggesting this as proof of causation.
Report Post »Just like the article states: There is a correlation between increases in poverty and increases in crime. But no one has been able to prove that poverty causes crime, partly because of anomalous data like the statistics quotes.
Violent crime was decreasing before things turned bad and gun sales shot way up so that is an imperfect correlation as well.
countrysideflair
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:16pm@Mary NJ is hardly a gun-friendly state. Crime does increase when times are bad and when you have lots of potential “gun-less” victims and a lower police presence… Crime will rise.
I guess I am spoiled though, our city has a pro-gun policy. Everyone owns at least two guns and the last murder was… in 1893.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 6:11pmThe second amendment is more to protect us from the government not each other. Since BHO got in I made it a point to become well armed.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:35pm@countryfirst
That’s true. The 2nd Amendment was intended to guard against a standing army and an arbitrary government. The Founders believed that self-defense was a God-given right, as it had been for centuries.
Report Post »Plan B
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:18pmNo one could make this up …..from fox news.
Report Post »http://nation.foxnews.com/homelessness/2011/12/01/homeless-lady-15-kids-somebody-needs-pay-all-my-children
David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:43pmSaw that, what a TYPICAL leftist. No personal responsibility whatsoever. I think this is what Margaret Sanger was thinking of.
Report Post »arfarb55
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:18pmARE RISING GUN SALES RESPONSIBLE FOR DECLINING CRIME? Yep! Home invasions are in the increase in my area. I have a nasty surprise for any one entering my home without permission! There is a loaded weapon within reach almost anywhere I may be within my home upon their unlawful entry.
Report Post »They will not be entering another! We were taught in the old days in the police academy “if you have cause to fire one round into a perp, fire until you hear click, click, click!”
J.C. McGlynn
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:25pmI was taught “Shoot until the problem is solved.”
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:33pmI was taught gun control is always the answer, 2 in the chest, 1 in the head.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:33pmhome invasions are down home break ins aren’t especially in my area. gun ownership skyrocketed in my state especially by women since they started letting more and more level 3 sex offenders out of jail claiming they have been “rehabilitated”
Report Post »PPMStudios
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:45pmDamn Skippy!!
There might always be two sides to every story but, when it comes right down to it. I want mine to be the only version the authorities hear!!!
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 5:11pmI was taught that you have a choice. Someone lives. Someone dies. Be the one to live.
Report Post »AngelAuthor
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:17pmBut wait!! This runs completely counter to the liberal line that if we give the people guns they’ll be out in the street shooting each other. It’ll be the old west all over again! Everyone knows that more guns simply means more crime, right??
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:17pmPlease whatever you do – don’t let liberals know this. Can you imagine these fruits with guns eg. OWS types. I have neighbors that have big signs at their front doors saying ADT etc.
Report Post »Hello – no guns in here – I am a smart thinking liberal and when the alarm goes off the bad guy will be scared and run off – or the police will come in 5 minutes and arrest them.
No the police will come with their note pads to write down what they think happened to your dead body!!
sasquatch08
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:27pmMy parents live in a neighborhood just outside of town with an average police response time of (wait for it) 17 minutes (!) and they have ADT, it’s a perfectly good system especially the fire/carbon monoxide detection capabilities. Of course that alarm is backed up by numerous firearms…
So if you’re actually dumb enough to continue your B&E after you hear the alarm going off that alarm is one of the last things you’ll ever hear.
You’re probably right though there are lots of people in that area that are super liberal and cry if they even see a picture of a gun… so there actually are lots of people hiding behind that sign and hoping it scares people off. Considering the current president, you‘d think they’d realize just how futile their “hope” is….
Report Post »21 Years and Counting
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:44pmI have a sign in my yard for my alarm system…mainly for when I am NOT home so authorities and I know if something is going on in my house. If I am home the alarm is the early warning system for me to grab my 2-legged predator preventative… or .45 auto as it is also known.
Report Post »grayling646
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 5:02pmHow to install a Southern Redneck security system for your home
1. Go to a secondhand store and buy a pair of men’s used size 14-16 work boots.
2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo Magazine.
3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.
4. Splash a little watered down rusty red paint on the sidewalk.
5. Leave a note on your door that reads:
“Bubba,
Bertha, Duke, Slim, & me went for more ammo and beer. Be back in an hour. Don’t mess with the pit bulls; they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up bad. I don’t think Killer took part, but it was hard to tell from all the blood. Anyway, You’re safe outside, the dogs are in the house.
Be back shortly.
Thanks, ******”
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:48pmFor stats further back than 9 years get a copy of Prof John Lott‘s ’More Guns, Less Crime’. It came out in 1998 and is based on his seminal criminology study, which considered every county in the nation over a 12 year period.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:14pm““Guns sales have been up significantly over the past 9 years,“ said ”Field and Stream” Editorial Director Anthony Licata.”
However, the violent crime rate has been decreasing fairly consistently for the last couple of decades, not just in the last 9 years. If anything I’d say it could be a factor, but the article gives absolutely zero analysis, data, or statistics on it, in stead favoring quotes from a pro-gun publication.
It’s fine to speculate, but I’d much rather see some statistics; how many violent crimes were prevented through legal gun use? Police reports would still be filed if someone attempted a mugging and the victim pulled a gun on them. Instead of reporting an unsubstantiated theory, I‘m disappointed The Blaze wasn’t actually showing statistics or a report on them. This is one of those times that they wrote an opinion article instead of actual news. If I wanted that, I’d watch TV news shows or read editorials.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:41pmIt is correct to point out correlation is not causation. I suspect (and I have nothing at hand to back this suspicion up, sorry) that the increase in CHL’s across the nation is more responsible than simple sales of firearms. Buying a gun is useless for deterring crime if you cannot carry it around after all.
Report Post »PPMStudios
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:51pmI recommend reading American Rifleman. Each month for the past several decades, they publish several stories under the column titled “The Armed Citizen”.
This is published by the NRA.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:57pmNo one reports a crime that didn’t happen because they pulled a gun because nowadays if you report that you pulled a gun on someone (even if you are a 5′0″ woman and the attacker was a 300lb male) you will be taken into custody until a judge makes a decision on bail. So your analysis will never happen in any real or meaningful way with our current judicial and police systems.
What we do know for a fact is that every genocide in the past century happened to unarmed groups of people. Either their arms were confiscated “legally” or the group lacked the munitions from the start. I’ve never seen an African refugee camp full of armed people. The slaughter houses of Auschwitz were not full of rifle bearing men, women, and children.
Then we also have the evidence from places like Switzerland where at the age of majority every male of competance and ability is drafted or enscripted into the army and is charged with maintaining a fully automatic rifle in their home and they have a yearly rifle shoot that they celebrate like we do the 4th of July. In that nation violent home invasions have always been low and the only crime that has been on the rise in the recent past was suicide. And if your biggest problem is worrying about people hurting themselves you have it pretty good.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:01pm@PPM
“I recommend reading American Rifleman. Each month for the past several decades, they publish several stories under the column titled “The Armed Citizen”.”
Are these stories, as you say, or actual studies? Again, anecdotes and opinions are fine and dandy. I just prefer facts and numbers, with citations of where they came from and how they were analyzed.
@Ghost
I agree, concealed carry licenses are probably a factor as well. It would be another thing I’d love to see statistics on.
Report Post »PPMStudios
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:45pm@ LOCKED
They’re stories taken from various news publications and compiled in American Rifleman.
I don’t know how stats could be compiled on crimes that never happened. Like SGTB mentioned in this thread, kind of difficult to report a failed or an averted crime. However, the FBI does publish ‘violent crime statistics’ every year.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/violent-crime
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on December 3, 2011 at 1:16pmProf John Lott’s study found that law-abiding gunowners used their firearms over 2 million times a year to drive off a criminal attack. His study can be found in book form: More Guns, Less Crime (1998).
Report Post »T-2
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:12pm“Are Rising Gun Sales Responsible for Declining Crime?”
Does Obama lies?
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:11pmAbsolutetly YES… when seconds count.. The police are minutes away, police can not and do not prevent crime, they investigate and report on it…. Only a well armed citizen can prevent and discourage crime….. Our founders knew this !!!!
Report Post »sgtstubbs
Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:47pmThe Surprem Court ruled that the Police do not protect single person, they can only enforce the law…
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:03pmLets see how this works on the criminal evoltution scale:
Criminal comes into house with gun…
Points it at house owner who has gun…
No more criminal…
Simple.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:11pmIt’s possible that gun sales are driving down crime, but what is certain, is that gun sales are going up, because the citizens of this country know that radical, Muslim loving Communists are now in control, and all those guns will soon be needed in the defense of freedom, as well as protection, when the collapse and nightmarish world Obama is working so hard to create comes to fruition.
Report Post »eyeugize
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:17pmThat’s exactly how it should work.
Report Post »drago
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:36pm@Txpilot
Report Post »You are correct, but remember, its not how many guns you have, but how much ammo.Me, i have 2 primary defense weapons,and lots of ammo….
progressiveslayer
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:46pm@Txpilot That’s right,the second amendment’s main purpose is to protect the people from a tyrannical government, personal self defense is secondary.The founding fathers knew this day would come,when government becomes tyrannical the second amendment is their to put a check on government to keep it from becoming tyrannical.
Report Post »AxelPhantom
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:50pmLayer 1…remote location not visible from the road (but we can see you) with good observant neighbors(also armed) who can see the house
Layer 2…..locked entry gate
Layer 3 …a house that doesn’t look like it’s worth the effort
Layer 4…6 dogs with big teeth and another pack of 6 next door who like to visit regularly and don’t take well to strangers
Layer 5…..Alarm system
Layer 6…..extensive video surveillance system
Layer 7…..large family that knows how to use their guns from the oldest to the youngest and know most of the local police by first names
Layer 8…..Castle law/ stand your ground State
If you get to layer 7 and I have to shoot, sorry you deserve what you get.
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