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Contributors
Michael Nevin Jr. - Contributor
Michael Nevin
Jr. is a 3rd generation California law enforcement officer
and
freelance writer. Mike's writing explores many topics
ranging from the War on Terror to issues facing America's police
officers. Mike is a contributing writer for several Internet
websites including ChronWatch, American Daily, Renew America.us,
and Men's News Daily. He can be contacted at nevin166@comcast.net.
[go to Nevin index]
 The
San Francisco or Sam Colt Solution
Crime and Guns...
[Michael Nevin Jr.] 1/13/05
If you had
a flat tire, would you fix the problem by replacing your car’s
muffler? I know, it sounds funny. But that’s
exactly the logic permeating throughout San Francisco’s
City Hall. When San Francisco’s murder rate spiked in 2004,
it could only be expected that local politicians would seek a
solution.
Understanding the problem and using a bit of common sense could
go a long way in dealing with such a serious issue, but the idea
being floated around City Hall leaves a lot to be desired. Several
San Francisco supervisors have proposed a ballot measure urging
voters to approve a sweeping handgun ban. If you think that Mr.
and Mrs. Law-Abiding Citizen are to blame for a surge in murder,
then I’ve got oceanfront property for sale in North Dakota.
In fact, they are exactly the ones who would suffer because of
this myopia.
Is firearm violence out of control? Not according to the National
Crime Victimization Survey. It found that from 1993 through 2001
violent crime declined 54%, weapon violence went down 59%, and
firearm violence decreased by 63%. Thirty-four states now have “shall
issue” Right-to-Carry laws, up from ten in 1987. In fact,
unintended consequences can follow tough gun laws. John Lott
explained this paradox in his book with a title that says it
all, More Guns, Less Crime.
But, alas, San Francisco wants to join Washington D.C. at the
forefront of gun prohibition. However, D.C. has nothing to brag
about after its handgun ban went into effect nearly 30 years
ago. Not only is it our nation’s Capitol, but in 14 of
the past 15 years, Washington D.C. has the dubious distinction
of also being known as the murder capital of the nation.
It is simply incredible that the gun control lobby still perpetrates
the myth that guns are to blame for societal ills. What they
don’t want you to know is that empirical research continues
to challenge their feckless arguments. ”Current research
and data on firearms and violent crime are too weak to support
strong conclusions about the effects of various measures to prevent
and control gun violence,” says a new report from the National
Academies' National Research Council. The panel for this report,
appointed during the Clinton Administration with all but one
researcher known to be supporters of gun control, proposed that
more research is needed. That may be nice, but some politicians
want our guns now. Besides, the burden of proof should be on
those trying to usurp our rights and freedoms - not the other
way around.
If you want to fix that flat tire, grab the spare out of the
trunk. If you want to deal with gun violence, go after the hardcore
criminals responsible for the carnage. Proactive law enforcement
targeting crime-infested neighborhoods has been proven to be
the most effective way of curbing violence. With the help of
federal authorities, local cops can target felons in possession
of firearms sending them away for a decade or more under “Triggerlock” or “Project
Exile” laws. Couple this approach with tough state legislation
such as “Three Strikes,” and you have a recipe for
success. What an interesting concept: actually utilizing current
laws to prosecute offenders!
Cities across the nation that employ a “zero tolerance” approach
to violent crime are reaping the benefits. New York City, which
leads the way in policing tactics such as CompStat, saw its peak
of 2,245 murders in 1990 drop to 571 in 2004. Chicago, the nation’s
murder capital in 2003 with 598 homicides, watched as numbers
fell to 447 in 2004. Police in the Windy City credited the Targeted
Response Unit that saturates areas known for gang violence. Now
if only these cities would loosen their strict gun control laws,
a further drop in crime may be realized.
The tide has turned against gun prohibitionists. A memorandum
opinion for the U.S. Attorney General states, “The Second
Amendment secures a right of individuals generally, not a right
of States or a right restricted to persons serving in militias.” The
self-evident right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves,
their families, and their property is alive and well throughout
most of America. But in places like San Francisco, this right
is under constant attack.
Lawmakers should heed Machiavelli’s warning, “When
you disarm them, you begin to offend them; you show that you
distrust them either for cowardice or for lack of faith, both
of which opinions generate hatred against you.” We live
in a world where violent, brutal people threaten our livelihood.
I wouldn’t recommend bringing a knife to a gunfight. As
the old saying goes-God made men, but Sam Colt made men equal.
CRO
copyright
2005 Michael Nevin Jr.
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