January 3, 2013 David Pratt, CEO
Gander Mountain
180 East Fifth St Suite 1300
St. Paul, MN 55101
Dear Mr Pratt,
As a small town mayor, it is with mixed emotions that I greet 2013. I have hope that the coming year will bring health, prosperity and opportunity to my Morrisville community, my state of North Carolina and to our country at large. It is with sadness that I acknowledge that unless we begin to make meaningful changes, the gun violence of years past will continue in 2013 and beyond.
When the Morrisville, NC Gander Mountain was announced in March 2012, I allowed my name to be attached to a press release that read in part:
"This is great news for the citizens of Morrisville and our entire Triangle area," said Morrisville mayor Jackie Holcombe. "Gander Mountain has a highly-regarded reputation and will be a perfect fit for our community’s diverse retail mix. I’m pleased to welcome this quality company to Morrisville and to the Triangle and our community looks look forward to continuing to serve their business needs in the future."
I now question that decision. The availability of semi-automatic Military-style rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines at the Morrisville Gander Mountain has not been great news for our citizens. As a recent email to me noted: “I wept when I opened today’s News and Observer and saw the Gander Mountain ad for semi-automatic rifles.” Further, the phrase “highly-regarded reputation” is not one I have heard associated with Gander Mountain’s sale of Military-style rifles.
At the memorial service for victims of the Newtown, CT tragedy, our President said:
“If there is even one step we can take to save another child or another parent or another town from the grief that has visited Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek and Newtown and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that – then surely we have an obligation to try.”
I believe it is indeed our obligation to try and the reason for my letter to you today.
The issue of gun violence is a complex one and will require a multi-faceted solution. I ask that Gander Mountain do their part toward that solution by discontinuing sales of semi-automatic rifles and high capacity ammunition magazines.
I appreciate your consideration and am available to meet with your local representatives to further discuss opportunities to address the alarming loss of life from semi-automatic rifles.
Respectfully Yours,
Jackie Holcombe, Mayor, Town of Morrisville
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteYou knew Gander Mountain was a hunting and sporting goods store when you signed the letter. They have sold rifles from the beginning. They sell handguns too, which are used in more murders than any other weapon. Why would you ask them to only stop selling semi-automatic rifles? Why not handguns?
I welcome Gander Mountain. In fact I recently purchased a safe there to protect my family from the guns I already own. Their service was good as was the price of the safe. I would buy an AR-15 style weapon there if they had any left in stock. However, due to media coverage and Obama's recent statements about the issue of gun violence, they are sold out of any formerly reasonably priced "military style" rifles.
-Anonymous Coward
Dear A Coward,
DeleteGood to hear you have purchased a safe to protect your family from the guns you already own. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but glad that your family will be protected.
I understand why you do not want your identity known and rest assured that I'm not going to spill the beans.
A few comments in response to your letter to Gander Mtn. CEO ---
ReplyDelete1.) Just for the record, the majority of all guns are defined as “semi-automatic” – which means that they can fire more than one bullet without reloading. So almost all guns – pistols, shotguns, rifles have a “clip” that holds more than one bullet. The media has everyone duped into thinking that “semi-automatic” has some special ominous meaning…
2.) So assuming that item 1.) is correct, an “assault rifle” could be defined as any rifle that can fire more than one bullet. This includes most shotguns, hunting rifles, etc. since they can shoot more than one bullet.
3.) With that information provided, let me address the real issue that needs to be addressed in an effort to eliminate shootings – correcting the moral and social decay of the American people. Today’s society consists of divorced & broken families, numerous abortions due to a lack of moral control causing unwanted pregnancies, rampant internet pornography, child safety issues that affect all young children who can no longer be involved with activities without constant supervision due to pedophiles that prey on them. Need me to continue ?
Removing guns and multi-round clips from a Gander Mountain store is just a knee jerk reaction by everyone. This is a weak attempt to obscure the real reason for these incidents; society’s lack of accountability for their actions since it’s the people that use the guns. The real issue is that America is becoming an atheist, secular, coexist, let’s not say something is wrong because we might offend somebody society. A society that does not hold any credibility in the belief of a loving God, providing the moral and social blueprint for all society to follow as outlined in the Holy Bible. The more we remove God from our society, the more there will be an increase in social deviance -- no matter how many laws we create to remove guns from our citizens if they are not taught accountability nothing will improve.
Not at all a knee jerk reaction. The reaction is born of concern and empathy for our Morrisville residents and an honest desire to lessen gun violence.
DeleteI am no Bible scholar and readily admit there are conflicting passages from book to book. But I am certain of this: we are assured that the peacemakers are blessed. Additionally:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ but I say to you, do not resist him who is evil but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also, and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘ You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ but I say to you , love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven, for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.”
Below are Bible versus on my right to self defense and defense of my family. Oh by the way, I am not a Bible Scholar, but I am a teacher and studier of God's word:
DeleteRomans 13:4 - For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Luke 22:36 - Then said he unto them, but now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one
Luke 11:21 - When a strong man is armed he keeps his palace, his goods are in peace (God's Castle Law)
1 Timothy 5:8 - But if any provide not for his own [family], and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. [Men are called to love their wives like Christ loved the Church - being willing to die for them; defending them. God did not put limits on the means to do so].
Matthew 26:52-54 - Then said Jesus unto him, take up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. [Note; Jesus tells us to take up our sword (the modern day weapon of the time) - for there are those evil who live by it, and we are to use the one we've taken up if needed].
As a side note regarding your Matthew 5:38 scripture: Is it your interpretation of "turning the other cheek" to allow someone to rob, rape, and kill you and children WITHOUT taking any form of self defense measures? You certainly are not THAT foolish are you?
From SF: "As a side note regarding your Matthew 5:38 scripture: Is it your interpretation of "turning the other cheek" to allow someone to rob, rape, and kill you and children WITHOUT taking any form of self defense measures? You certainly are not THAT foolish are you?"
DeleteInteresting question. Jesus provides us with the ultimate example of turning the other cheek, don't you think?
Hey Heathen, If semi-automatic weapons were good enough for Jesus then they're good enough for Americans!!
ReplyDeletePlanned Parenthood killed one baby every 94 seconds according to their latest annual report - 2011-2012. That's 333,964 babies who were mercilessly killed. When can we expect to see your open letter to Planned Parenthood?
ReplyDeleteNot babies, fetuses.
DeleteNorth Carolina Law calls it "unborn child"; but anyhow - so they murder baby fetus'. Ok. Its still murder of an unborn homo sapien in the stage of development, carried in a womb, despite whatever "name" you wish to assign to it.
DeleteSide note: If its called "freedom of choice" and completely legal for a woman to go get an abortion by killing the "fetus", then why is it called MURDER if a man kills the "fetus"? See NCGS 14-23.2
Murder is murder despite how you twist it.
Mayor Holcombe:
ReplyDeleteAs I read your letter to Gander Mountain, I conclude it was motivated as either a knee jerk reaction to the horrible event in Conn., or a poorly timed attempt to capitalize on that tragic event.
Just to be certain you actually do understand, the Second Amendment of the US Constitution does provide for the private ownership of firearms, as borne out by the review of the Supreme Court.
Your emotional attempt to villify law abiding citizens who are gun owners is outrageous. Equally as important, your grasp of semi-automatic weapons, in describing them as similar to military weapons, is very inaccurate and characteristic of those who are trying to advance a foolish agenda of trying disarm the law abiding citizens of this City, County, State and Republic.
I'm struck that you also seem to want to criticize the person who desired to remain anonymous and who purchased a safe from Gander Mountain. Will your next effort to villify this citizen be to publish their name and address for a criminal to rob or ambush?
Perhaps you should seek to support those citizens and businesses in your jurisdiction that abide by the law and who generate taxes for this Town and County.
You may also want to bone up on the statistics that clearly support the reasons for firearms ownership and reduced violent criminal activity where the populace have not been illegally disarmed!
Should you persist in this ill-advised agenda, rest assured, people like me don't want or need the aggravation and lack of regard for our personal safety. We will vote with our feet, and spend our money in those jurisdictions that support their law abiding citizens and the Constitution of the United States!
A very concerned Morrisville resident and firearm owner!
Not to worry AVCMRAFO. I desire to have a productive discussion on decreasing gun violence. If a forum for annonymous comments works, great! I won't divulge the ID of commenters. A few folks have included their name and contact info. I publish comments as written so have left that identifying information intact.
DeleteMayor Holcombe,
ReplyDeleteI am contacting you concerning your recent attempt to call on the large retail chain Gander Mountain to remove all semi-automatic firearms and magazines with over a ten round capacity.
In the wake of a terrible tragedy like Sandy Hook, I find it reprehensible that a politician would use this tragedy for political gain.
I feel I speak for the majority of law abiding citizens of North Carolina who own firearms when I say we will not tolerate such attempts at subverting our second amendment rights.
If you recall, after the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 most of the representatives who voted for the ban were immediately swept out of office in the next election.
North Carolinians have a strong tradition of gun ownership, and any measure to oppose our second amendment rights will be met by fierce opposition at the voting booth.
As I am writing this e-mail, your position on this issue is being spread to organizations such as http://www.grnc.org/ and many other social media venues.
I urge you to reconsider your position on this issue before the citizens of your city reconsider voting for you in the next election.
Sincerely,
Arthur Craig Sexton
252 Wiley Royal Road
Thurmond, NC 28683
Hi Jackie, thanks for speaking with me yesterday. Couple of points:
ReplyDelete1) Abortion violence far exceeds any weapon violence in North Carolina. Do you have the same outrage over abortion?
2) In addition, automobiles kill about 170 people every day in the USA. What about all the innocents that die at the hand of distracted or intoxicated drivers? How come politicians (correctly) direct their ire at the distracted and intoxicated drivers and not the cars? How come guns are different?
The way I view this is that, on cue, liberals have been signaled that this is the issue to be prosecuted now. The media has taken up the banner and like any good upwardly mobile liberal politician, I understand you are just doing your duty. However, you need to consider that this is a coordinated effort designed to disarm the American public for what comes next.
As the tax and spend policies of the liberal political elite completely destroy the dollar, there are going to be a lot of people who will see years of labor completely vaporized by the resulting runaway inflation. When this happens (as it appears there is nothing that can stop this now), there are going to be a lot of broke, jobless, homeless, hungry, and very likely, angry, people.
Disarmed and angry people will be just really, really, mad slaves that can be easily subdued by a political class and their dictator. Our founding fathers prepared for this very tragic and unfortunate potentiality by providing the Second Amendment to the Constitution as an avenue of last recourse for United States citizens who desire to preserve the Republic.
This is not about the terrible tragedy in Sandy Hook. The timing of this all-out effort to disarm the citizens of the United States is amazingly convenient and is closely related to the ultimate bankruptcy of our nation. The ultimate result/goal of some in our leadership is totalitarian government control. History shows that totalitarian government control (Russia, China, etc.) lead to the deaths of 56 million people in the 20th Century.
You may not understand all this as most people I know who believe the Bible is flawed also believe the Constitution is outdated.
No need to respond. Some of us get it.
Thank you,
Nelson Paul
Mrs. Holcombe, I think it is safe to say, based on the comments here, that you are in the minority on this issue. People are not going to let uninformed liberals like yourself take our rights as American citizens. The Illinois state senate was recently unable to pass any additional gun laws in their state and they are one of the most liberal state senates in the coutnry. NY state is the next to fail. And the only way you are going to get tougher national laws is for Obama to pull one of his famous (and unconstitutional) executive orders. You are NOT getting our guns. Period.
ReplyDeleteBesides, this country doesn't have a significant gun violence problem. Did you know that there are twice as many murders committed with "bare hands" than there are committed with rifles? If people are going to kill each other, they will do it with whatever they have. Are you going to ban people's hands next? Guns do not invoke violence. Some people are just violent and that violence is going to come out regardless of the weapon that they have at their disposal, and if they have no weapon, they will simply use their hands. You libs really have to stop trying to find SOMETHING to balme for everything. Why don't we try "personal responsibility" for a change. Violent people are to blame for their violence. They alone need to be held responsible for their violent actions.
You could actually learn a lot from the folks who are commenting on this blog. Most of them are giving you a free lessons on firearms and our right to not only own them, but to carry them on our person. I expect more education is set to come your way until you disable the comments section of this blog - which, given your liberalism - I expect is not to far in the future. Have a nice day!
Dear Anon,
DeleteThank you for your note suggestions. I appreciate the time you and others have taken to comment. A discussion on gun violence, gun ownership, firearm safety training, mental health..... all good. I do not see any need to disable comments.
Do you have any comment on the fact that more people are killed every year by hand than by rifle?
ReplyDeleteFrom where does your statistic originate? The Bureau of Justice Statistics on homicide trends does not support your numbers. http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/homicide/tables/weaponstab.cfm
DeleteHe obviously meant handguns. Interesting that knifes are really close to rifles on that list. Perhaps we can urge businesses not to sell those as well.
DeleteMayor Holcombe,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Grant Linderman, and I was born and raised in Cary and have enjoyed spending my entire life in this area. It is with great dismay that I read your open letter to the CEO of Gander Mountain. I would strongly encourage you to read some empirical data on the effect of gun control laws on crime levels. The Cato Institute did a very comprehensive study in 2006. It is long, but worth reading, given the current emotion-based discourse on gun laws that is so prevalent in our country today. It can be found here: (http://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/serials/files/cato-journal/2001/1/cj26n1-6.pdf)
There are many reactionary statements being rolled out on both sides of this issue. However, the facts and evidence fall on the side against gun control. In the closing statements of the above study, it concludes, "The fact remains that no careful empirical study, regardless of the type of data used, has found a negative relationship between gun control measures and crime rates." The propagandists in the national media, who so far seem to have fooled many into thinking otherwise (including you, good Mayor), are apt to point to gun-related death rates in the UK and in Australia, which are in fact lower per capita than in the United States. Due to their extreme bias, they intentionally fail to explain further. Over 55% of gun-related deaths in the US are suicides. Accounting for this one fact alone brings our rate of gun-related deaths far below the UK. As an aside, it is somewhat relevant to point out that while the UK has sweeping gun bans, they have a violent crime per capita rate almost FIVE TIMES higher than the US. The United States' violent crime per capita rate is roughly half that of even Canada. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196941/The-violent-country-Europe-Britain-worse-South-Africa-U-S.html)
The common sense behind the gun control argument completely eludes me. The basic premise seems to be that because some horribly insane people have used guns that bear a resemblance to military weapons to murder innocent men, women and children, we should ban these weapons so that no more insane people can purchase weapons like that in the future. And this is where those in favor of gun-control depart from common sense. The Sandy Hook murdered was denied the chance to purchase firearms on his own, and yet he still got his hands on some. The Columbine murderers perpetrated their horrific acts during the previous gun ban, and yet that atrocity is now a part of our national history. Similarly, many recreational drugs are illegal in our country, and yet we have entire magazines (High Times) and thousands of independent retail stores (so-called head shops) devoted to their use showing a significant percentage of our country is getting its hands on illegal drugs.
I apologize for the length of my response, but this is an important issue to your constituents and the people in the triangle, in the great state of North Carolina, and our country. Please seek out and carefully consider the facts for yourself. You clearly have not done this yet, otherwise you would already know that the now-infamous .223 Bushmaster, which prompted you to write your open letter in the first place, has next to nothing in common with its military counterparts aside from its appearance. Military “assault rifles” are generally automatic. IE: you pull the trigger, and it fires rapidly until you release the trigger. “Semi-automatic” weapons fire one time only per trigger pull. The OVERWHELMING majority of weapons legally in use today are “semi-automatic”.
Several other commenters have accused you of making a knee-jerk reaction in writing your open letter. I agree with your response that having this discussion is important – especially if such a discussion actually involves the root source of the problem… mental health treatment as well as the culture of violence in our society – but it is even more important for that discussion to be informed with facts.
Mayor Holcombe,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, let me thank you for providing anonymous as an option for a public forum. Not many politicians would have the guts to allow feedback in that fashion, let alone public feedback.
Second, I am a Cary resident, not a Morrisville Resident. However, I do live within walking distance of Park West and Gander Mountain and feel that the goings on in Morrisville have as much of an impact on my quality of life as Cary's.
With those preliminaries out of the way I would like to address your letter. You are under the mistaken impression that these tragedies are the result of loose, unenforced or ineffective gun laws. They are not. They are the result of a failed mental health system and a refusal of society to help those unable to help themselves. How many times do we hear about these individuals were troubled and no one does anything about them. Almost none of them are in legal possession of the firearms they use. If you want to reduce this type of violence, call for changes and reforms to how this country deals with the most troubled of our citizens.
I also can't help but not that every major mass shooting that has occurred in recent history has happened in a gun free zone. That is areas in which even those licensed with concealed carry permits would be denied their rights to self defense. I am reminded of the Oregon shooting at a mall in December that was stopped because a citizen brandished their concealed carry and the gunman retreated and committed suicide. I'm reminded of a shooting last year at a church in which the shooter was stopped after killing one person because of a parishioner with a concealed carry shot him.
Additional restrictive gun laws that limit the rights of law abiding citizens serve to make us less safe not more so. When I see the parking lot at Gander Mtn full and hear reports that they are selling out of firearms, I feel more safe, not less.
Thank you for allowing this forum to exist and your time in reading this.
As the original poster of the "more murders with fists than rifles", I would like to point you to HTTP://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-11
ReplyDeleteAccording to the FBI, 323 murders were committed via rifle and 726 were done with personal weapons such as hands and feet. Body parts accounted for more than rifles and shotguns combined...
So I am left wondering if your objection to semi-automatic rifles and shotguns is due to a misunderstanding on your part, orders from the mother party, a reflex in your leg joint, or an emotional reaction without careful contemplation. I also wonder what events in your jurisdiction would prompt such an action in your jurisdiction... Or are you acting disproportionately in response to a rare and random event?
So..... how do you classify the 1700 "other guns or type not stated?"
DeleteWhat's more significant: of 12,664 lives lost to murder in 2011, 8583 or 68% of those people - women, men, girls and boys - were murdered via firearm. 68%. 2 of every 3 murders were by firearm. 35 people every single day of 2011. Every two hours, around the clock, 3 people lost their lives and according to the FBI, the cause was murder by firearm.
Would I be satisfied if there were 323 fewer murders in 2013? No. But it would be a welcome improvement. A step in the right direction.
I believe, I honestly believe, we can change the outcome.
How many of those murders were as a result of a legally owned firearm? My guess is that very few have been. The only thing gun control does is disarm law abiding citizens and give more power to criminals. The government has never been very good at prohibition and control of anything. Alcohol? Drugs? Guns? Show me any example where the government has actually been effective at reducing gun violence with increased gun laws. It sure as heck isn't working in Chicago.
DeleteBeing dramatic about murder statistics is not equal to reasoning for gun control. If you poke around the FBI's statistics, you'll find the total number of murders in 2011 was 14,612. In 1992 it was 23,760. On average, we're having 457.4 less murders per year over that time period. Statistically speaking, it's likely we'll have at least 323 less murders next year regardless of whether or not there are any new gun laws.
DeleteI honestly believe you are skewing the FBI data based upon your anti Second Amendment agenda.
DeleteLet's break down these same statistics from the fbi.gov website so you may gain a better comprehension of this data.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooa98FHuaU0
Also, let's look at this fact:
There is nothing as Mayor of your town that you can legally do to restrict the sales of so called "assault rifles." As Mayor, you can ban the discharge of guns and regulate firearms on town property, but you cannot ban the sale of weapons that are lawfully manufactured.
All you can do is write letters to Gander Mountain, as can we. We outnumber you greatly and are voicing our support for Gander Mountain in Morrisville.
Gander Mountain is a business and their bottom line is making money. They also bring tax revenue to your town.
Your letter will have little effect as Mayor, but our voices will have great effect as the consumer.
You of all people greatly understand how money motivates, but that is a different discussion on one of your other issues as Mayor of Morrisville.
Your reply, madam?
Anonymous here, just to continue:
ReplyDeleteBased on the mayor's own reference, there were 3,328 homicides with "other" guns and 8,651 homicides with a handgun in 1976. This with a U.S. population total of 218 million. 30 years later, the population had grown to around 300 million, but total homicides had actually fallen, both by handgun and by "other gun". By 2011, the FBI (see https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-11) reported fewer total homicides than 1976 had with just handguns... and our population had grown by another 11.5 million from 2005.
I would not call this a "growing problem", or a crisis, I would say that this is significant progress in the right direction. This all happened while more than 3 million guns were manufactured and sold in this country every year (see http://www.atf.gov/publications/firearms/121611-firearms-commerce-2011.pdf). In other words, there were more than 100 million more guns in the US in 2011 than there were in 1976, there were almost 100 million more people, and yet the total number of murders had fallen. Anyone arguing that guns are the problem is being downright dishonest.
MAYBE YOU SHOULD PUSH TO OUTLAW FAST FOOD SO YOU WOULDN'T BE FAT
ReplyDeleteI can believe the fanatical response to your common sense and needed recommendations. The Second Amendment provides the framework for "regulated militia." At its writing, we did not have a standing army or professional police forces. In case of war or invasion from a foreign power, armed citizens could volunteer to defend our nation. To combat local crime, citizens needed muskets and pistols for individual and family protection.
ReplyDeleteToday we have the National Guard and professional police forces for defense, protection and law enforcement. Guns should only be used for recreational activities. The current proliferation of military style assault weapons needs regulation and restriction. It is totally out of control, without need, proven lethal, and contrary to the intent of the Second Amendment. Let's get real.
@Rock N Roll: Fanatical Response to a Liberal like yourself, is whenever you happen to be in the minority opinion! The Supreme Court has already decided the issue and definition of the Second Amendment, and it reaffirmed the individual's right to possess and use firearms. Your "common sense and needed recommendations" are anything but the use of common sense and totally unneeded, as they fail to address reality. The shootings that have occurred are not the result of legal ownership, they are the result of criminal behavior by persons that have already been prohibited from possessing and owning firearms. Pushing more needless and ineffective laws will not prevent similar occurrences, they will only strip the rights and ability of those lawful possessors to deter crime and to protect the lives of their families and themselves. Simply consider that despite the emotional appeal of your argument, violent crime and the murder rate has declined since expiration of the "last Executive Order" banning "Assault" weapons.
ReplyDeleteTo "Anonymous:” Do you own military grade assault weapons? If so, for what purpose? Also, do you own mega rounds of ammunition in single cartridges? If so, for what purpose. Are you okay with everyone either owning or having easy access to an unlimited number of such high capacity automatic weapons. Are you okay with large numbers of kids and adults having easy access to a greater quantity of such extremely heavy duty weapons than our military and police forces have? Are you okay with lax or the lack of effective control of who can own or have easy access to such major weaponry? Are you fine with individuals who oppose such access not being allowed to express their opinion? Are you okay with insults, threats and harassment being made to anyone who dares to exercise concern and freedom of speech? If so, you should be very happy.
DeleteFrom Harvard Injury Control Research Center
ReplyDelete1. Where there are more guns there is more homicide?
The review of the academic literature found that a broad array of evidence indicates that gun availability is a risk factor for homicide, both in the United States and across high-income countries. Case-control studies, ecological time-series and cross-sectional studies indicate that in homes, cities, states and regions in the US, where there are more guns, both men and women are at higher risk for homicide, particularly firearm homicide.
2. Across high-income nations, more guns = more homicide?
The study analyzed the relationship between homicide and gun availability using data from 26 developed countries from the early 1990s. It found that across developed countries, where guns are more available, there are more homicides. These results often hold even when the United States is excluded.
3. Across states, more guns = more homicide?
Using a validated proxy for firearm ownership, the study analyzed the relationship between firearm availability and homicide across 50 states over a ten year period (1988-1997). After controlling for poverty and urbanization, for every age group, people in states with many guns have elevated rates of homicide, particularly firearm homicide.
Using survey data on rates of household gun ownership, the study examined the association between gun availability and homicide across states, 2001-2003. It found that states with higher levels of household gun ownership had higher rates of firearm homicide and overall homicide. This relationship held for both genders and all age groups, after accounting for rates of aggravated assault, robbery, unemployment, urbanization, alcohol consumption, and resource deprivation (e.g., poverty).
Perhaps Harvard would use the most recent FBI statistics to explain the murder rates by firearms in Washington DC, Chicago and New York?
ReplyDeleteYou ask if I own a "military grade assault weapon?" No, unless one has a literal treasury and some phenomenal political contacts, there are at least three existing laws that would prevent them from purchasing and owning a military grade select fire / automatic fire weapons. As for "mega round" magazines, each of mine has a capacity of 8 rounds, except the "Assault" .22LR pistol which has 10 rounds capacity. If I chose to reload less often, would there be any difference in using a 30 round capacity in a semi-automatic .22LR rather than 3 10 round magazines? More to the point, I've never been charged or convicted of more than a minor traffic offense in my 63 years. I've never displayed psychotic behavior nor do I consume alcohol or drugs. My weapons are secured in a biometric safe, that only I can open. Why do you feel compelled or entitled to encroach on my Constitutional Rights to own and use my weapons in any legal manner I see fit?
There are twenty children under the age of 18 that lose their life EACH AND EVERY day to vehicular accidents. That is a Sandy Hook every day of the year.
ReplyDeleteI think we need better car control laws to stop these tragedies from happening.
Jackie, I respect your right to request Gander Mountain to remove firearms. That's fine. However, I was just wondering if you were going to write your local car dealers and ask them to remove vehicles from their lots that can go over 70 mph (most do you know) since 4 times the number of people are killed on our nations highways by automobiles than firearms. How about being an activist to reduce highway deaths or are you just targeting our RIGHTS and not PRIVILEGES like driving?.
ReplyDeleteHi Jackie,
ReplyDeleteI have one more question. Let's just hypothetically say...a person showed up at your home while you were sleeping and managed to gain entry into your home with the intent of raping or murdering you. Do you own a gun to stop them or are you presently unarmed and you're going to "turn the other cheek" (that you quoted from scripture)?
"the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed". Mayor Jackie Holcomb, as an elected official, you are advocating infringing on the rights of American citizens, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. You used your office to apply pressure on a business you invited to open in your town. You should be impeached or recalled. If I lived in Morrisville, I would start a petition. Oh, and just so anyone thinks I left out the first part of the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State...", the right to keep and bear arms is antecedent to the possible formation of militia. Thus the individual right to keep and bear arms exists with or without the formation of militia, which by the way is definitely not the military, National Guard, or police force, as some here have mentioned.
ReplyDelete