One thing is certain is that nothing arms a population more than the threat of control or banning. Evil black rifles weren't that popular before the ban, AK and SKS were considered curio junk before the ban. There seemed to be little demand for large capacity mags before the threat of the AWB. Manufacturers dumped huge numbers of the mags just before the ban. Today just a conceived potential threat has driven sales through the roof.seamusTX wrote:It is not possible to extrapolate trends in crime rates over such short timeframes.
The rate of violent and property crimes has been decreasing steadily since 1992. There are occasional upticks in one category or another, but the overall trend is downward.
During that time, the "assault weapons ban" came and went, and tens of millions of firearms were sold into the U.S. private market. These factors had no effect on crime rates.
Legal sales of firearms and ammunition have almost nothing to do with criminal activity. Most criminals cannot legally own or even touch a firearm or ammunition because of previous felony convictions or because they are underage. (I say "almost" there because straw sales and thefts of legally owned firearms are factors in criminal access to firearms.)
I have never understood how someone can think that an adult who is legally able to buy a firearm -- which in many states requires more rigorous background checks than in Texas -- is going to go to a gun store, buy one, come out, and commit mayhem and robbery.
- Jim
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Return to “Can the US live in peace with its guns?”
- Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:53 am
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: Can the US live in peace with its guns?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2178