Gun Control Reduces Crime?

This is perhaps, the greatest myth that is perpetrated today by national gun ban groups. No empirical study of the effectiveness of gun laws has shown any positive effect on crime. In areas having greatest restrictions on private firearms ownership, crime rates are typically higher, because criminals are aware that their intended victims are less likely to have the means with which to defend themselves. If gun laws worked, the proponents of such laws would gleefully cite examples of reduced crime. Instead, they uniformly blame the absence of tougher or wider spread measures for the failures of the laws they advocated. Or they cite denials of applications for permission to buy a firearm as evidence the law is doing something beyond preventing honest citizens from being able legally to acquire firearms.

Let’s use Washington D.C. for example, crime in Washington has risen dramatically since 1976, the year before its handgun ban took effect. According to research done by Duke, “Washington, D.C., now has outrageously higher crime rates than any of the states (D.C. 1992 violent crime rate: 2832.8 per 100,000 residents; U.S. rate: 757.5), with a homicide rate 8 times the national rate (1992 rate 75.4 per 100,000 for D.C., 9.3 nationally.)” Duke goes on to say, “No wonder former D.C. Police Chief Maurice Turner said, "What has the gun control law done to keep criminals from getting guns? Absolutely nothing... [City residents] ought to have the opportunity to have a handgun."” Criminals in Washington have no trouble getting either prohibited drugs or prohibited handguns, resulting in a skyrocketing of the city's murder rate. Duke mentions “D.C.'s 1991 homicide rate of 80.6 per 100,000 population was the highest ever recorded by an American big city, and marked a 200% rise in homicide since banning handguns, while the nation's homicide rate rose just 11%. Since 1991, the homicide rate has remained near 75 per 100,000, while the national rate hovers around 9-10.” Again, these statistics are taken from a state that does not allow their citizens to legally own a firearm. Do you still think we should ban guns altogether? Clearly, criminals do not bother with the niceties of obeying laws, for a criminal is, by definition, someone who disobeys laws. Those who enforce the law agree.

Below, is a great video that will put things into perspective:

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_YTM_eAWnQ

Source: http://www.duke.edu/

Concealed Weapon Permit

What is a California concealed weapon permit (CCW)? A license to carry a concealed firearm on your person in public subject to restrictions placed upon it by statute and the issuing department. Many Americans don’t even know they have the right to carry a weapon on them in public, but you can if you qualify. California residents who have clean records can apply for a permit which allows them to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense and personal protection. You cannot legally carry a concealed gun in California without a valid California issued CCW permit. A CCW does not give you authority to make arrests, stop crime, or misuse a firearm. Only police officers should attempt to make arrests or catch criminals. Carrying a firearm is a serious responsibility which requires training and good judgment. Misuse of a firearm is a crime. Statute requires applicants to complete a course in firearm safety and the law regarding the permissible use of a firearm. Departments may also require the applicant to demonstrate proficiency at their range and submit all weapons to be carried for a safety inspection. Applicants are required to submit to Live Scan for a DOJ records check. Departments may require a Psychological test of applicants. The CCW is issued by the county sheriff or (in some cases) by the city police chief. To get your permit, request an application from your county sheriff. Your county sheriff must give you an application. Your county sheriff must accept your filled-in application. Your county sheriff must inform you, in writing, of his decision within 90 days. If your county sheriff does not issue you a permit, he must give you, in writing, the reason for the denial. The sheriff must provide a process for appeals of denials. Many people do not believe we should have the right to a CCW permit, but I believe it gives the CCW holder a piece of mind knowing that he/she can defend themselves.

The permit only allows the person to carry his/her weapon in the state where the permit was issued. On July 23, 2009 the Senate narrowly rejected a concealed weapons measure that critics have blasted as “radical” Wednesday afternoon. According to Alex Jones of infowars.com, “In a rare win for gun control advocates, the Senate on Wednesday rejected a measure allowing a person with a concealed weapon permit in one state to also hide his firearm when visiting another state.” Mr. Jones goes on to say “the vote was 58-39 in favor of the provision establishing concealed carry permit reciprocity in the 48 states that have concealed weapons laws.” “That fell two votes short of the 60 needed to approve the measure, offered as an amendment to a defense spending bill.” I believe if we are issuing CCWs we should allow the permit holders to carry over different state boarders.

In this video you are able to view both sides of this measure.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKCySl-KCtk

Source: http://www.infowars.com/senate-narrowly-rejects-radical-concealed-weapon-measure/