START A PETITION 27,000,000 members: the world's largest community for good
Group Discussions
Mystery: Virginia gun violence falls as gun sales soar
2 years ago

By Mary Katharine Ham

Freedom preserved and less crime for everyone. Nifty, huh?











So, let’s try it a different way. Just handguns!








This post was modified from its original form on 28 Nov, 8:00
2 years ago





Virginia guns

So, who are the people buying all these guns? 
That’s right, ladies.






2 years ago

Gee, surprising that sales of firearms to those LEGALLY eligible to purchase (since these stats are likely form the activity of checks against the Federal data base of those with records) hasn't caused crime to increase. Of course the same can't be said for areas like Chicago where the guns on the street are not purchased legally if purchased at all and not stolen. The rise in gun sales has also been due to the election and now stealing (oops, reelection) of the most recent election of Dear Leader Obama.

2 years ago

John, correct on all counts.   Interesting that they didn't make the last of your points in this, but  that is the case.  People are gearing up for the fact that things are going to be much worse and they are not sure what to expect.  

I am from Washington State and the gun laws are strictly enforced there, too and I don't think that there is really any increase in gun violence due to gun sales at all; we all know that those committing acts of violence (for the most part) are not those that go out and purchase guns legally as they don't want any chance that the gun will be traced back to them.  Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know this.  Then we come to Fast and Furious; ooops, not supposed to mention that one, am I.

2 years ago

Americans need to protect themselves.    Our country is changing and we'll have to protect ourselves from "Obama's Police Force" LOL.     Honestly, this is going to be a long four years.   I was happy to see that my neck of the woods Northern Virginia feels a need to protect themselves under Obama's rule.    Interesting statistics above.

2 years ago

Let's see...

Chicago and Washington, D.C. existed in parallel for decades having both the most restrictive gun laws and hightest crime rates in the nation.

Guns do not convert upstanding citizens into depraved criminals upon delivery.

Criminals, like most other people, make decisions based on a number of factors including real and perceived risks.  Being shot upon attempting a crime is generally considered a risk.

On a more personal note, none of the guns I have ever owned have made any attempt to engage in crime of their own volition nor have they attempted to persuade or coerce me into the commission of a crime.

Guns in the hands of honest, lawful citizens are a threat to no one other than criminals.  Unfortunately, criminals who carry government ID are often the most fearful and most intent on eliminating our guns.

2 years ago

Because honest cittizens are getting them this is a big factor in why violence is down.  I hear what you are saying David.

2 years ago

Responsible people respect ownership of a firearm.    Most don't carry it on them.   They have guns in their homes for protection from an intruder someone who would kill them during a robbery or because they are mentally insane.    Americans should be able to protect themselves in the privacy of their own homes.    Perhaps that would stop home invasions.

2 years ago

Butcher knives kill.    Should we be made to remove all knives from our homes?   They are also considered weapons.

2 years ago

Diane, in Oregon if a person comes onto you property and threatens you or your family, property, etc., you are allowed to shoot them without fear of prosecution.  I believe if it were like that in more states we would see a much different response regarding the level of crime. Who is going to rob someone if there is reason to believe they are armed?  No with this I do believe that if you own firearms and have them in your home, every member of the family should be taught proper gun safety and it is the responsibility of the gun owner to see that this is accomplished.  There are other safety plans that can be put in affect, too. 

People will argue that if there are firearms in a home the childen can get them and either accidental shootings can occur or there would be more "Columbine" instances.  I do not believe that is true.  I grew up in an area where firearm ownership was extremely high as there were a lot of hunters.  In the 55 years I lived there there were only 2 accidental shootings (did not result in death) attributed to hunting accidents, and one 1 accidental shooting involving 2 high school boys (who went to school with my sons) and one boy did die.  It was not a "Columbine" situation, they were out target shooting and when they got home one boy was messing around accidentally shot himself and died.  The father of the one boy that owned the gun realized  that he made a mistake in letting his son go shooting with anyone that was not also trained in gun safety; it was the one that shot that was messing around with the gun and accidentally shot himself and had no training.

So I agree Diane, it is all about responsibility.  And as for knives; great point.  We could say the same about cars.  Should cars be taken away because they kill people?  Look at those that drink and drive for an example.  
