Where debating everything under the sun is only the beginning

They tell you that people are dead, and that ain't zip.

For an example of homicide rates before and after a ban, take the case of the handgun ban in England and Wales in January 1997 (source here see Table 1.01 and the column marked “Offences currently recorded as homicide per million population”).  After the ban, clearly homicide rates bounce around over time, but there is only one year (2010) where the homicide rate is lower than it was in 1996.  The immediate effect was about a 50 percent increase in homicide rates.   The homicide rate only began falling when there was a large increase in the number of police officers during 2003 and 2004.

The first year results are now in: Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent, Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent; Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent!). In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. (Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not and criminals still possess their guns)[...]

[...] Origins:   Although the old adage says that "Figures don't lie, but liars figure," those who seek to influence public opinion often employ a variety of means to slant statistical figures into seemingly supporting their point of view: [...]

The “success” of the 1996 Australian gun reform is a myth.

Did any of you read the whole article?

So--- if you get rid of guns, you get rid of gun-homicide.

If you get rid of guns, you absolutely get rid of the mindset over guns (eventually).  (Gotta start somewhere...

Sort-of, if you get rid of intelligence or freedom, you get — something else… 

JFK (for one), had balls the size of Jupiter).       

AUGUSTA, Maine (Reuters) - Maine will allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons without a permit, a practice called "constitutional carry" by Second Amendment advocates, under a bill signed into law on Wednesday by Republican Governor Paul LePage. The measure will make Maine the fifth state to pass a law legalizing the carrying of a handgun, either openly or concealed, without the requirement of a government permit. Maine joins Alaska, Arizona, Wyoming and Kansas in voting to allow the practice, according to National Rifle Association spokesman Lars Dalseide. Vermont has never required a permit. Arkansas and Montana also allow more limited forms of constitutional carry. More than a dozen other states have considered similar legislation.

The Maine law will take effect 90 days after the state’s legislature adjourns, which is expected in mid-July. The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right of individuals to own and bear firearms, has limited efforts to pass gun control legislation around the country and has served as the basis for expanding gun rights in many states. Maine law currently allows gun owners to openly carry a handgun without a permit, but concealed carry requires a background check, a licensing fee, a judgment of “good moral character” and evidence the applicant can handle a gun safely. Sportsmen’s groups and gun advocates argued the process was too onerous, deterring law-abiding citizens from applying. Opponents, including Maine Chiefs of Police Association, said rigorous background checks kept weapons out of the hands of felons. The new law, which passed with broad bipartisan support, would eliminate the permit requirement for any resident over 21 years old who is not already prohibited from owning a firearm. Active members of the military, and veterans over 18 years of age, would be granted the same privilege.............continued

Thanks for that.
I didn't know such lunatics even existed, let alone where to find them.

I'd be hesitant to try it in a place where every house has weapons

Detroit — Crime fell in Detroit last year, but not enough to prevent it from being the most dangerous big city in the nation, according to FBI crime statistics released Monday.

Detroit was tops in both murder rates and violent crime rates among cities with populations of more than 100,000. Two more Michigan cities, Flint and Saginaw, joined Detroit among the top five most dangerous cities with populations greater than 50,000.

[glow=blue,2,300]I'd rather live in Baghdad. [/glow]

Smiley, when I saw this I thought of you--- I know you would approve.

I also know RJH would be apoplectic-- but that's the breaks.