This UC firearms researcher says America is on a collision course with disaster. We need to listen
By: George Skelton - Los Angeles Times
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
This UC firearms researcher says America is on a collision course with disaster. We need to listen
Guns, violence and political extremism are on the rise. And America risks disaster — sooner than later.
© (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) Firearms including rifles and handguns were available for purchase in March 2020 at AO Sword Firearms in El Cajon, Calif. David Chong, owner of AO Sword Firearms, said then that 90% of the increase in business came from new gun owners. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune)
That’s the view of a longtime University of California firearms researcher whose hard-hitting report was published last week in the journal Injury Epidemiology .
“Upward trends in firearm purchasing, violence and political extremism are converging to put the USA at risk for disaster in the months ahead,” Garen Wintemute warned in introducing the report. “We have no time to waste if we are to prevent the loss of thousands of lives and emerge with our democracy intact.”
Those are strong and alarming words, particularly from an academic researcher.
Wintemute, 69, is director of the California Firearms Violence Research Center at UC Davis. He has been studying gun violence for nearly 40 years, and his research has provided the impetus for several major gun control bills in the state Legislature.
He’s also an emergency room physician whose obsession with firearms violence grew from his constant treatment of gunshot wounds.
But does that also make him a sociologist?
“My whole career, I’ve been interested in the chain of events that culminates in someone coming through the door of an emergency room,” he responded to my question. “How could we have prevented this from happening? I’ve tried to understand some of the social determinants in a gun purchase.”
I called some veteran political operatives and asked what they thought.
“The risk of major political violence is higher now than at any other time in my lifetime,” said Bob Shrum, a former Democratic consultant who is director of the Center for the Political Future at USC.
“We see members of Congress talking about using violence or excusing the Jan. 6 insurrection. That attack on the nation’s Capitol was unprecedented in our modern history. And people are rationalizing the violence.”
Dan Schnur, a onetime Republican strategist who is a political science professor at USC and UC Berkeley, said: “As long as we convince each other that people who disagree with us are evil, the likelihood for violence will keep growing. The answer isn’t more gun control or more gun ownership…. The core issue is tolerance.”
Wintemute told me that political polarization, “to be honest, is the thing that concerns me the most."
“Part of our new normal is demonization of the other side. If we continue so divided like this, we won’t be able to move ahead as a nation. We certainly won’t succeed as a democracy. Democracy depends on trust. And we have very little of that now.”
The deadly mob invasion of the Capitol was the loud volcano erupting from growing political violence — or threats of it — throughout the country.
School board meetings everywhere have become uncivilized battlegrounds over curriculum involving race and COVID-19 mask and vaccination mandates. County health officers also are under threat.
“We’ve seen attempts to create a new type of politics in which the threat of violent force drives political action, and that’s something we’ve not seen in the country for a very long time,” Wintemute said.
“That has happened simultaneously with efforts to invalidate the election process, either by challenging the results or suppressing the vote.”
In his report, Wintemute wove together a long string of sobering analyses, facts and statistics.
He recalled the volatile events of 2020: the pandemic, George Floyd’s murder and the presidential election.
“People purchase firearms more for protection than for all other reasons combined,” he wrote. “Firearms purchases increased early in the year to well beyond expected levels [and] continued through the summer.”
Gun sales always rise during a presidential election because of fears that a new president will make it harder to buy a firearm, Wintemute noted.
“This time, the gun control candidate won. The purchasing surge continued.… President Trump and his followers denied his loss. Political instability followed…. Trump incited a violent assault on the Capitol.
“Through the first nine months of 2021 … the COVID-19 pandemic and political and social instability remained dominant features of the American landscape…. The unprecedented surge in firearms purchasing … shows no sign of abating and risks becoming part of a new normal for the USA….
“The population of gun owners is evolving rapidly…. At least 20% are first-time buyers.”
Meanwhile, “by spring, 2020, violence was also increasing beyond expected levels,” he continued. “Homicide rose by 27.5% in 2020 … far greater than anything seen in the past 100 years…. In the first half of 2021, homicide rates in major cities increased another 16%.”
California saw hate crimes rise 31% last year. And crimes involving racial bias jumped 67%.
Also, “polls paint a very grim portrait of alienation and readiness for political violence,” Wintemute wrote.
“Many Americans have entered a world of paranoid delusion…. Nearly two-thirds of Republicans believe that President Biden was not elected legitimately…. One person in six agrees that ‘because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country.’”
Wintemute concludes the report by pleading for citizens to heal the country.
“We all come equipped with tools for the job,” he wrote. “Each of us can publicly reject violence and say something if we see something…. Work to reduce disparity, increase opportunity and build inclusive communities.”
We could also beef up law enforcement to counter violent idiots. And lock up lawbreakers to punish them and deter their pals.
Wintemute is boldly saying stuff that most people don’t like to contemplate because it’s so ugly and depressing. But we should listen up and open our eyes to what’s happening to America.
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Good luck with that.
Wintemute? the paid anti-gun nut? he's been writing stilted studies for the anti-gun crowd/politicians for three decades.... it's how he makes a living...
Correlation? the rise in murders is directly related to the reduction in law enforcement, the political will to not only defund the police, but ignore them as well...
The other side of the coin? the reduction in Law Enforcement by the progressive political forces has also driven a rise in gun purchases to record numbers..
If the government cannot afford or is unwilling to protect it's citizens, then it is human nature to protect oneself... Self preservation is a biological function as powerful as the need for sex...
The rise in gun crime is directly related to progressive repudiation of law & order, repudiation of rights, their absolute adoption of race hate and bigotry and authoritarian principles of control...
Doesn't surprise me one bit, doesn't surprise anyone that I know of...
We are on a collision course with disaster cause the progressive wave has placed us on that course....
And everyone knows it.. so it is actually wise for people to prepare for what they plainly see as coming in the future... And they are doing it by buying guns, massive quantities of guns...
Well, my friend, it's not too difficult to figure out which side you're on, and I'll bet you have a nice collection of weapons yourself. The author's opinion may not be to your liking, but personally I think that what's been happening in the USA no matter WHO IS TO BLAME is heading in the direction he said. If the people don't grow up it's not going to be the Hatfields vs the McCoys, it's going to be neighbour vs nieghbour and I wish wish wish my son would move with his family back to Canada.
Brother, with the current take no prisoners environment in this country, we are heading for Civil War... No question about it...
In fact I've been saying it for nigh on three - four years now, right here on this board and several other places... so have many others as well...
Anyone with half a brain and a sense of American History sees it plain as day... Wintermute says it and finally some liberal souls get the message?
It's actually funny in a way... it proves that people on that side can't think until they are told what to think... {chuckle} just kidding brother...
Many people have no illusions my friend, despite the intellectuals denials, the Socialist/Pprogressives are in take over mode...
Some of us will be sacrificed to illustrate their power as a threat to the rest... then the real fight starts...
That's what a very good knowledge of history teaches us and if you remember I'm a historian... They are sensing the win so they are pushing now openly towards their goal, they have found their weapon...
CRT and teaching hate...
It's going to be another one of those type of fights the American people hate... WE didn't start it, but we WILL finish it...
And don't try to tell me that progressives and socialists are fun loving peaceful people,,, world history is replete with huge glaring examples of them not being so fun loving and peaceful....
Did I try to tell you that progressives and socialists are fun loving peaceful people? I think it's time to start preparing my next movie quiz so some people of every political ilk including me can have some peaceful fun.
Sadly we apparently have many with only half a brain as can be attested to by the millions who continue to refuse to accept dishonest Donald lost the election. We saw many of the half brained attack the capital January 6th. They're also the most likely to be hoping for and preparing for a civil war since they've got more testosterone than brains.
Nice selection of guns pictured. People buy guns for protection, hunting, investment, target shooting, some for their jobs and many because some don't want them to have guns. Some gun owners like the machinery and tinker with them.
Yes, there are many reasons for them, and when there are many reasons to have them there needs to be very strong laws governing their purchase and use. Is it only because of the Second Amendment that guns have become so important a possession in the USA as compared with other nations (like Canada) that may have the same uses you list, but don't have anywhere near the proliferation of guns or amount of violence in which they play a part?
Interesting point of the article is that the problem is with people , not the guns .
Of course the problem is with people. The guns don't buy people. The guns don't pull their own triggers. Maybe the Second Amendment is part of the problem.
Yes brother, the problem is with people, people who think they have the right to control others...
This exact issue is what created this nation in the first place.... The second amendment was created to preserve for the people the ability to stop those who wish to abuse others through absolutes...
And the American citizen will only be pushed so far....
On that we have and will continue to have to disagree.
the right to bear arms , is one that an individual can choose to or choose not to do , it is mainly a restrictive amendment against the government from saying an individual can not do so .
Well, that's certainly an odd rewriting of history but not unexpected for a liberal rant: guns and democracy. The guns at the Jan. 6 protest were carried by law enforcement. The government had the guns and threatened the protesters with lethal violence. The protesters at the Capitol did not threaten gun violence. The politicians' soiled underwear can be washed or replaced; no permanent damage was done.
I hope everyone realizes that spikes in gun sales are a response to the government. Gun sales are democracy in practice. Democracy fears government only having the guns.
Two best gun salesmen in US history?
Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
And the gun manufacturers thank you two fellas
These rants always seem to overlook the gun culture in liberal designated minorities. Didn't rappers make handguns bling?
Also pay attention to the fact that liberals want the white population to be the role models for democracy. Liberals are only upset when white people do not conform to their notion of what democracy is supposed to mean. Liberals are subtly promoting white privilege and white supremacy, too.
Even more subtly, white elitism.
Most of the herd that licks their boots are too stupid to see that.
Some i suppose just like licking boots.
Good point!
It's interesting that liberal free-thinkers always demand conformity to their point of view. Only those sufficiently elite are allowed to form opinions for the rest of us. Do as I say, not as I do.
Yep
What's also very interesting is they seem to forget the historical context... Once they achieve absolute power, the very few at the top are the only ones that have any privilege's everyone else becomes a servant... Especially the educated elite....
Once they get there it is only then they understand what they've given up..... (and at that point it is too late)
That's just agnorance personified!
People who are not gun owners and/or never have been, can not hope to really understand legal gun ownership.
They are simply too biased and brainwashed by the left and mass media. Well, shame on them.
If i had a nickel for every time an anti gunner, who accepted my invite to go shooting and they had fun and/or bought their own gun soon after, i'd have a pocket full of nickels.
The anti gun rhetoric you read here is just more ignorance of that reality some on the left are pushing..
Easy now.
I don't own one.
Only guns I ever owned in my life were a water pistol and a cap gun. never had the need nor the desire to own a gun. When I had my golf condo in Florida my next door neighbour was so proud of his pistol he brought it in to show it to me, asked if I wanted to hold it and I wouldn't touch it. Yet I was my high school rifle target shooting marksman champion - never failed to hit a bulls eye. If I had been the right age for a war that Canada was involved in I would probably have been a sniper. STILL I never wanted to own a gun or hunt. Of course Canada is not and has never been a gun-love culture, that's only The American Way.
Happiness Is A Warm Gun (link -> ->)
.
Nothing is warm in Canada. Not even the guns.
Canada has four seasons: Winter, Finishing Winter, Construction, and Starting Winter. Seriously, I'm sure it's different now because of global warming, but when I left over 15 years ago it would start to snow in November and end snowing in April, i.e. at least 5 months of winter.
So what?
The people who respect gun owners rights are not the problem.
The people who don't, are.
Nah, happiness is telling other people what they can and can't do based only on what you decide to do.
No one gives with good sense like myself gives a shit what you think.
Your feedback is much appreciated.
I always know i'm on the right track when you disagree with me.
You're the best Tessylo, the best.
We on the left aren't ignorant of reality. Truth/reality = LIBERAL BIAS.
Said absolutely NO ONE TRUTHFULLY, ever
Yeah, the arrogance/ignorance of that statement speaks for itself.
As does the abject stupidity of it.
If you're not liberal/progressive/Democrat - you couldn't possibly comprehend.
Truth/reality = liberal
Said no one truthfully---ever.
Seems to me that most of the NT liberals are afraid to comment on this article. The right-wingers are having a field day.
That’s awful - a whole bucket of chum and nothing shows up.
Speaking of chum . . .
Since I'm going to bed now, and will not be available tomorrow to moderate this seed, i'm now locking it but may unlock it when I am available again.
Okay, I'm now available and have unlocked this article, although I don't see much purpose in doing so. The conservatives have taken advantage of their opportunity to dis the author and promote their own beliefs, and almost no liberals came the defence of the author and/or his opinion. I posted the seed because I believe that what he said is fair, and that his predictions for the future are valid. The statistics back him up. If nobody else agrees with that I'll just lock this seed permanently.
Actually, no they don't Brother...You want to know why?
Back when the last great Gun study was ordered by the great president Obama, he had the CDC bring all sides to the table to do a gun study, they all had their input, they all had their stats... six months later the CDC published their study but NOT before sending it to all the participants... They had to sign off on it's reasoning and conclusions...
Wintemute, one of the most prolific anti gun study publisher was one that had to sign off on it as well... (meaning he agreed with it's reasoning and conclusions) So dId Kleck on the pro gun side as well, probably the first time in the discussion that those two agreed on anything....
The result of the study came to one overriding conclusion that led the president to make his famous speech that gun control in this country was dead...
Why was it dead?
The conclusion of the study was there was insufficient data to base any governmental policy on gun control on... All sides had valid points from gun proliferation to lack of accurate reporting of gun incidents, the current data was incomplete and insufficient to base any reasonable scientific study on and all previous studies had the same problem, insufficient data to make any conclusions... Much less establish a coherent governmental policy...
It was President Obama that said Gun Control in America is dead... Directly based upon the study HE ordered.... It was the last major gun study done in the US and no further studies have even been attempted since...
Wintemute is stating his opinion based upon incomplete facts, that is all that can be said of his "report" a singular opinion is all that it is, based upon his long held political beliefs... Just the fact that this long after his grudging agreement with the CDC study, (he lost a lot of income when that was published) he is back making wild claims of nasty bad things going to happen cause the American citizen own guns and has a constitutionally guaranteed right to own guns, only says they think the rest of us have forgotten....
WELL, we haven't forgotten, we remember that CDC study, we remember one of the greatest gun salesmen in history telling us his laments that he couldn't do anything to control guns in this country because OF HIS OWN STUDY!!!
Watching that on TV was priceless....
There has been NO attempt to improve the reporting of gun incidents or collect the types of data the CDC suggested be taken to get sufficient accurate data.... Wintemute is using the same old flawed data collection and reporting the CDC says is un-useable to draw any conclusions with...
Sorry Buzz, Wintemute has no data or statistics that mean anything coherent to gun laws.... Obama's CDC said so and he agreed with it....
To any one seeking the truth his report falls flat on it's face as the plain lie it is....
That's the truth of the matter...
PS: it probably why your not seeing any liberals on the board come here to defend that point of view, they remember it as well....
Very well my movie-master brother, I will consider my OWN statistics.
I have spent considerable time in and throughout the USA and have become very familiar with its people. Over my lifetime I have watched the proliferation of gun ownership and the proliferation of gun violence grow to astronomical levels with no end in sight to the increase perhaps because the USA has a Second Amendment that guards and preserves the privilege and obviously Americans' great love for such weapons. I would say that the gun and weapons manufacturers' promotion techniques and their lobbyists and the NRA have something to do with it. I related my experience above about the pride of an American in his gun.
I spent most of my life in Canada and I knew of only one citizen, an actor who possessed a pistol, and a colleague in my father's business who had a rifle at his summer home, although I also once defended a person of my acquaintance on a charge of possession of a pistol without a permit. Obviously guns aren't a very important thing in the average Canadian's life. Canada has much stricter gun control laws that the USA and is debating making them even stronger because there has been a recent upswing in gun violence cases, which even now are puny compared to the USA, and is mostly connected with gangs.
I have now spent more than 15 years in China where citizens owning guns is not permitted and gun violence is virtually unheard of, especially now that the guns have been confiscated from the minority of Uyghurs who were separatists and terrorists. Even ordinary police and bank guards do not have guns. Unless someone has been successful in smuggling in a gun and that is indeed a rare event, the only people with guns in China are police SWAT teams, bank money delivery van guards and the military. The result is that gun violence is non-existent. A few deranged old men have succeeded in carrying out some violence with knives or cleavers, but that is a VERY rare event. How would I know about that in this so-called "secretive" society? The events were widely reported on TV and in the news media here.
My opinion that gun violence in the USA is bound to increase is based on my own statistics, and you cannot question I have personally learned to believe throughout my life.
Not questioning what you personally believe brother... and yes gun violence is on the rise, of that there is no question... 99% of the rise in violence is due to the governments active anti police stand, their decriminalizations of many crimes and their releases of many criminals from the prisons... the loss of police alone has caused crime to increase 200% in the seattle area and the prosecutor had a defacto hard drug legalization policy, they have an active policy of not pursuing or prosecuting property crimes and judges have been tossing violent offenders back onto the streets when they are caught and arrested....
What is causing the upswing in violent crimes is the defacto stance of the government that they could care less... they want the crime rate to go up... they want people living in fear...
Violent crimes/riots shown on the news every night for over a year were called "Peaceful Protests" Several people died during the Seattle "chop" situation cause the "protestors" refused to allow civil services to enter the area... guess what? they are suing the city for the deaths... and getting settlements..
Right now in this country everything is topsy turvey, you have your beliefs based upon long observations, but those observations are base upon a different society than the one we are living in today... and it's only been the last five years or so that it has come to pass and the violence level is accelerating...
When I can drive down a street in Spanaway WA and fall in behind a car that has four young men in it and a sign in the back window that says Black is a License to kill Whites, I renew my carry permit and have been carrying ever since... When I see the reports and videos of where a citizen tries to stop a mob assault and is then pulled out of his vehicle and is beaten half to death... it doesn't say stupid on my forehead...
I restrict my movements and keep my attention on a rapid swivel.... and prepare for the worst...
I hope I never have to act, but I have in the past when it was necessary to protect others lives, and I will do it again if I have no other choice...
I'm sincerely sorry brother, but I don't believe you understand what it is like living in this country anymore... Your data is as outdated as Wintemutes...
Nowhere Man, you are telling me that violence is increasing, that violent criminals are being released, that the policing is reducing, that you yourself know of violence and have seen the symbols of it, and then you tell me that my concern that Wintermute's predictions of increasing violence is wrong, that I don't understand? Seems somewhat contradictory to me. I've seen the arguments that the great increase in guns is not to use for violence but for protection from the increasing violence, that reason for surges in gun purchases is because when a change of administrations happens people are concerned that they might not be able to purchase a gun in many cases to protect them from the increasing violence. Have there not been cases where a son of a person who is careful about their weapons has stolen those weapons to commit violence - I've read such stories. So the more people who have guns the more there are guns available to use to commit violence, and on and on......
All of those are true my friend, problem is more guns in the hands of lawful citizen on the chance they need to protect themselves does not equate to more violence... that is a conclusion without basis in fact...
Your an attorney, you know this...
I've posted facts that do equate and result in the foreseeable rise in violence... Wintemute's predictions are based upon the same false reasoning...
a simple more guns equals more violence paradigm..... It isn't that simple and you are educated enough to know that...
I'm not insulting you my friend, quite the contrary, I'm trying to bring out a rational discussion on the rise in violence, not a political wish and dream cause and effect, an actual cause and effect...
It's a very complicated subject....
Yes, I am, and I also taught English so I am careful with my use of it. I did NOT say that more guns equates to more violence. I said more guns are AVAILABLE to use to commit violence, and I gave an example of that by referring to actual circumstances where the purchaser was not the one who committed violence with the purchaser's gun. Can you see the difference? You yourself have listed the reasons why violence is increasing, and maybe it is my opinion that having more guns available for it may well be a factor, and in that regard I agree with Wintermute's concern that the violence is going to increase (and as you yourself have established, not just because of the increase of guns alone)..
I'm going to quote Wintemute...
“Upward trends in firearm purchasing, violence and political extremism are converging to put the USA at risk for disaster in the months ahead,” Garen Wintemute warned in introducing the report. “We have no time to waste if we are to prevent the loss of thousands of lives and emerge with our democracy intact.”
He equates gun purchasing with increased violence... He has for decades.... And yes it is not just republicans buying guns independents and democrats are also buying guns...
99% of the political violence that has happened over the last year has been liberals demonstrating, burning looting and assaulting people.... 99.9% of the political violence over the last 5 years has been the ultra leftists... NOT the conservatives who are buying most of the guns.... what the whackos call a coup attempt at the capital there were no guns present in the mob, but the government forces were fully armed... Can you say that for all the "Peaceful Protests" around the nation that saw people killed in massive numbers, whole neighborhoods burned to the ground, threats of even greater violence and exhortations for police to kill themselves, some of it being said on live TV by elected representatives?
5 years of violence by one side of the political spectrum all over the nation is nothing but excused, compared to one day of taking over the capitol building without violence is called an insurrection...
We know where the violence is coming from, the large number of gun purchases are being made to prepare for it... The government is on the side of the source of the violence, they support it and advocate for it, they are now teaching racial hate as justification for it....
Yes more and more guns will result in potentially a large amount of bloodshed, but one side can stop it altogether... And it isn't the republicans or conservatives...
So on that basis I can agree that it's going to get worse before it gets better, and as long as it continues this way the potential for a lot of killing is rapidly approaching..
I suppose he is right on that point....
But the gun sales are NOT the problem, the people who foment and create violence ARE the problem.. And the guns being sold are mostly sold to non-violent people who are looking to even the odds.. the Bad people can't get guns legally anyway, but he is talking about all those LEGAL sales of firearms... The bad people are the ones that are more than willing to create violent confrontations....
Right now the gun owners are not organized, but if it gets any worse you can bet that they will get organized very quickly...
Middle America is coming to the conclusion that it needs to protect itself, cause the government isn't going to do it and is actually aiding and supporting those who will hurt them...
Yes, a very dangerous situation for a nation to be in as history teaches us... foment violence, push it nationwide against a broad section of the population, create havoc and a breakdown of the rule of law, and move in and establish the law you want...
And Mr Wintemute is a big believer in the people that are creating this condition judging by all the support he has given them over the decades...
Yes, he is equating more guns = more violence.
I don't view his writing as a warning, I view it an an exhortation that they are winning...
There is one fact in all those gun studies that I haven't mentioned... Criminals, the bad people.. The #1 fear they have is attacking someone who is armed.... they readily admit that they will pass on an armed potential victim for one that is unarmed...
The government (the party in control of government) by their policies are forcing the issue into a confrontation...
Love ya brother... I don't see the gun purchases as an issue, I see more guns in the hands of the honest citizen as a good thing... Give the criminals and their politician supporters pause to think... If they want war there is a war to be had for sure...
Maybe Wintemute is coming around to understanding what is going to happen when it is pushed over the edge and is trying to warn his compatriots of the danger they face... My problem with Mr Wintemute is after 40 years of reading his contrived tripe about guns, I just can't believe him... He has been one of the most rabid and vapid anti gunners the nation has ever seen...
Such people do not change their stripes overnight... I don't believe him and don't trust him....
I don't believe any truth seeking individual should...
And when I said that I agree with Wintermute THAT is what I agree with. And yes, I also agree that the more guns the more there is bound to be more gun violence. NOWHERE can you see or point out that I blamed the Republicans or the conservatives or the right-wingers specifically and I don't give a shit if the persons buying guns are Democrats or Republicans or conservatives or liberals or lefties or right-wingers or independents or anarchists or Communists or black or white or yellow or red or green or even Martians - they are ALL people living in the USA. But you keep haranguing about this so I did not bother to read past your third paragraph because I'm tired of the discussion. If you want for us to remain friends then let's just close this discussion right now, because if you reply to keep it going it will be answered with an "IMPASSE".
Ohhh kay...
Sorry to have upset you...
It won't happen again, I assure you...
Which is easily dealt with.
Deal with inner city gang violence, most of which used gun illegally, and you take a major bite out of the gun violence problem.
Enforce the laws already on the books, mitigate the problem.
See how that works?
Are you saying the problem is not one that has been growing steadily, no different than gun sales have been growing steadily? Since America has the highest incarceration rate in the world, are you saying there has not been enforcement?
Gun violence has been rising after decades of decreasing in most places. It's still historically low in most places that aren't larger urban areas.
Gun homicide rates in the US last peaked around 1993. It has been dropping steadily or staying more or less flat up until 2013 when it started ticking up again.
Most of the uptick is located once again, in densely populated urban areas. Most off which are Democrat controlled cities.
That said, it's cool to see NYC city get a new Mayor who appears to have the balls to stand up to crime. You watch what crime does in NYC if he stays the course he's on
It will go down, likely way down .....
Guns and fire extinguishers are good to have around when you need them right away
And the problem is that the need exists, unfortunately much too much .
They're taking note in China about the increasing gun violence in the USA. Can the final paragraph of this story possibly be correct. If true it's awful hard to believe.
Shootings across US continue to rise, broadcaster says
WASHINGTON - People in the United States are living with gun violence, as shootings across the country continue to rise, according to American Broadcasting Company (ABC).
In Philadelphia, there were 1,500 people shot through October this year, with nearly 400 people killed, a recent ABC story reported, citing data from the city's Office of the Controller.
"The environment is a hostile environment," Joshua Corneilius, a 17-year-old senior at a north Philadelphia school, told ABC News. "It's a real war zone."
Gun violence is not unique to Philadelphia, the ABC report said, adding that homicides have been on the rise this year in cities all over the country.
During just one week in July, there were 430 deaths and over a 1,000 people shot, according to data collected from the Gun Violence Archive.
So far this year, there have been 17,723 deaths due to gun violence, not including suicides. There were more than 19,400 shooting deaths in 2020, and 15,400 in 2019.
See 12.1.9
Thanks Sparty On. As I do so often I'll quote a lite from the movies - as said by a kidnapper to Liam Neeson in the movie "Taken", in reply to Neeson saying that he will look for him, he will find him, and he will kill him: "Good luck." He did find him, and he electrocuted him to death.