Knimrod
07-19-2006, 11:46 PM
Gun ownership up, crime down.
July 19, 2006
Michael Cook
The Sierra Times
Many times in the past I have told you that when gun ownership goes up and right to carry laws gets passed, then crime goes down. Well, this last year was proof in the pudding, so to speak. Last year Americans purchased 4.7 million new firearms. 40 states have now adopted right to carry laws for their citizens. This year looks like it will even be a better year for purchase of new firearms.
The greatest increase in firearms purchase last year was handguns which went up 3%. Long guns sales were up 1.8%. Ammunition sales were up 3.5%. I am told by the different wholesale people I now deal with from the firearms store that these numbers will be higher this year. Many of the manufacturers like Taurus are way behind on orders, with some several months behind.
Those who push gun control tell us that crime goes up and suicide goes up with more firearms ownership. This was not the case last year. Gun crime, suicides and firearms related accidents declined last year. According to the FBI, there were 339,280 firearms crimes reported in 2005, which is down 2.4% from 2004 and 7% from 1998. The Center for Disease Control reported that firearm suicides were down 1.1%, to a reported 16,907, and they have declined 1.8% since 1998. The National Safety Council said, accidental firearms fatalities, which tied the 2004 figure at an all-time low of 700. That is down 19.2% since 1998.
I inform you of this because I just read a report from the Chief of Police in Washington DC has declared a “crime emergency” in that city. This was in response to a sharp increase in crimes citywide in recent weeks. They had fourteen homicides in the first 12 days of July. A 16% increase in robberies and a 14% rise in serious assaults over the past 30 days.
This is all taking place in our nation's capitol, which has the strongest anti-gun control laws in the nation. No one can own a handgun in that city. This should tell us all something about what the results of strong gun control laws do to the honest citizen. It makes you a victim of the criminal, leaving us with no way to protect ourselves.
It also points out that the training and efforts put out by organizations like the National Rifle Association are having a dramatic effect on accidents with firearms, and responsible use of our legally-owned firearms -- something our schools and government have put on the back burner.
My experience in the firearms store, is more people are asking for training with the purchase of a new, first-time firearm. They want the training and wish to be responsible in the use of the new purchase. This is where government and organizations can come together and do something very important for all of the citizens by providing a facility where this training can take place -- again pointing out the importance of the new gun range planned for the citizens of Coos County.
I said it before and I say it again, “an armed society is a polite society.” It is also incumbent upon all of us to make sure young and old alike have a safe place to learn and practice with their firearms. Please stop by Bay Area Firearms and sign the informal petition in support of the new range. It may save someone’s life and help stop crime.
God bless America and God bless our troops still in harm's way.
Michael E. Cook, Coos County Sheriff, Retired
Manager Bay Area Firearms
Link to article (http://www.sierratimes.com/06/07/19/69_1_101_194_27406.htm)
July 19, 2006
Michael Cook
The Sierra Times
Many times in the past I have told you that when gun ownership goes up and right to carry laws gets passed, then crime goes down. Well, this last year was proof in the pudding, so to speak. Last year Americans purchased 4.7 million new firearms. 40 states have now adopted right to carry laws for their citizens. This year looks like it will even be a better year for purchase of new firearms.
The greatest increase in firearms purchase last year was handguns which went up 3%. Long guns sales were up 1.8%. Ammunition sales were up 3.5%. I am told by the different wholesale people I now deal with from the firearms store that these numbers will be higher this year. Many of the manufacturers like Taurus are way behind on orders, with some several months behind.
Those who push gun control tell us that crime goes up and suicide goes up with more firearms ownership. This was not the case last year. Gun crime, suicides and firearms related accidents declined last year. According to the FBI, there were 339,280 firearms crimes reported in 2005, which is down 2.4% from 2004 and 7% from 1998. The Center for Disease Control reported that firearm suicides were down 1.1%, to a reported 16,907, and they have declined 1.8% since 1998. The National Safety Council said, accidental firearms fatalities, which tied the 2004 figure at an all-time low of 700. That is down 19.2% since 1998.
I inform you of this because I just read a report from the Chief of Police in Washington DC has declared a “crime emergency” in that city. This was in response to a sharp increase in crimes citywide in recent weeks. They had fourteen homicides in the first 12 days of July. A 16% increase in robberies and a 14% rise in serious assaults over the past 30 days.
This is all taking place in our nation's capitol, which has the strongest anti-gun control laws in the nation. No one can own a handgun in that city. This should tell us all something about what the results of strong gun control laws do to the honest citizen. It makes you a victim of the criminal, leaving us with no way to protect ourselves.
It also points out that the training and efforts put out by organizations like the National Rifle Association are having a dramatic effect on accidents with firearms, and responsible use of our legally-owned firearms -- something our schools and government have put on the back burner.
My experience in the firearms store, is more people are asking for training with the purchase of a new, first-time firearm. They want the training and wish to be responsible in the use of the new purchase. This is where government and organizations can come together and do something very important for all of the citizens by providing a facility where this training can take place -- again pointing out the importance of the new gun range planned for the citizens of Coos County.
I said it before and I say it again, “an armed society is a polite society.” It is also incumbent upon all of us to make sure young and old alike have a safe place to learn and practice with their firearms. Please stop by Bay Area Firearms and sign the informal petition in support of the new range. It may save someone’s life and help stop crime.
God bless America and God bless our troops still in harm's way.
Michael E. Cook, Coos County Sheriff, Retired
Manager Bay Area Firearms
Link to article (http://www.sierratimes.com/06/07/19/69_1_101_194_27406.htm)