Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns From: [w--g--s] at [lonestar.utsa.edu] (William W. Hughes) Subject: Gun Opponents, Where Are Your Numbers? Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 18:23:03 GMT From the San Antonio Express-News, a division of the Hearst Corporation Sunday, 9 January 1994, Editorial section, page 4-M San Antonio Express-News, P.O. Box 2171, San Antonio TX 78297-2171 [begin disclaimer] Reproduced without permission. Transcribed by hand, so all typos are likely mine (I gotta get a scanner...). "I do not work for, nor represent, the San Antonio Express-News" William Hughes [[w--g--s] at [lonestar.utsa.edu]] [end disclaimer] [begin article] ANOTHER VIEW [extended reader's letters -- wh] GUN OPPONENTS, WHERE ARE YOUR NUMBERS? Scott M. Dulaney Gun control is an issue very much in the news these days. And, more often than not, we are treated to the opinions of one person or another telling us how good tougher gun laws will be for America. But the only thing missing in their arguments is any factual data to support these claims. Over the past 10 years I have spent a great deal of time and effort researching the issue of gun control in America. And during that time I have yet to come across any documentation that such legislation is effective in reducing crime. However, the facts that I have accumulated do make for some interesting reading. According to professor Gary Kleck, a Florida criminologist, hand- guns are used to commit nearly 550,000 violent crimes each year in our nation. But during that same year, private citizens use rifles and handguns to stop or apprehend nearly 650,000 violent offenders. Add to that another 300,000 who use rifles and shotguns to thwart attacks on their homes and families. That makes nearly 1 million crimes that were prevented by private gun owners over a 12-month period. But, that doesn't make good copy for an antigun editorial. Another issue in the news these days is the proposed ban on so called "assault weapons." They are purported to be the weapon of choice for America's criminal element. Yet the FBI's published Uniform Crime Statistics report clearly shows that these "bad guns" are actually used in less than 1 percent of all crimes committed. As far as being a "weapon of choice," blunt instruments and kitchen knives rank higher, statistically speaking. Then kids with guns are a problem, right? Well, yes they are. But, the problem is not as simple as it has been portrayed. Last year, the FBI conducted a study of juvenile delinquency in America. As far as kids with guns are concerned, the agency's findings were quite illuminating. For example, the feds found that kids who own guns legally -- meaning they didn't get them on the street -- had a delinquency rate far below that of kids who acquired their guns illegally. And the rate of delinquency for kids owning legal guns was even slightly less than that of children who do not own guns. Then, to go a little further, the report actually stated that socialization for chil- dren who own guns legally seems to take place in the home, while social- ization for illegal gun owners seems to take place on the street. There it begins to sound more like an issue of parental responsibility than anything else. And, as far as all of the malicious comments that have been made regarding the National Rifle Association, I feel that some clarification may be in order. This organization has been with us now for nearly 123 years, and has a membership of almost 3.5 million. And that number was growing by nearly 2,000 per day at last count. The interesting thing is that the NRA's membership is about six times that of all the gun control groups in America combined, including Congress. So, you tell me who legislators should listen to when the issue of gun control is raised. Finally, for those of you who still feel that your pious comments about guns and gun owners are justified, let's see your numbers. It's time to put up or shut up. Although I doubt you are capable of either. [end article] -- [w--g--s] at [lonestar.utsa.edu] (William Hughes) | In memory of 85 un-charged, UTSA doesn't agree with me. They're wrong. | un-convicted victims of the U.S. Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants | government in Waco, Texas - Politically Incorrect and proud of it! | including over 20 children.