http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20160105/AIK02/160109783/1019/numbers-don-x2019-t-support-many-gun-control-argumentsColumn: Numbers don’t support the gun-control argument
By MICHAEL MILLER Guest columnist
Jan 5 2016 4:55 am
With the expectations of new executive gun control actions and continued pushes for legislation federally and on state levels, the debate over guns is eclipsing many far more serious issues facing the country. But the debate exists and cannot be ignored. The proponents of more laws simply ignore most of the data. Two statistics, however, they continually embrace are the number of annual gun deaths, around 33,000, and the increase in the number of guns in the country. Unfortunately, they ignore the fact that while the number of guns has increased over eight years by 22 percent, violent crime during that period has decreased by a similar amount. They also disregard the detail that 61 percent of gun deaths are by suicide, the irony being that the left generally supports suicide-enabling laws.
Nor are they interested in the fact that drug and automobile deaths outnumber homicides by more than 300 percent each, yet automobiles and drugs are highly regulated or outlawed altogether. But in spite of their high number of deaths, neither have any political attraction for the left, thus we return to guns.
The National Rifle Association is continually attacked by the left for its support of the Second Amendment, with charges that the NRA is supporting if not enabling terrorism through its policies. How could anyone, liberals ask, be against keeping guns out of the hands of those on the no-fly list? They equate it to a terrorist watch list, which it isn’t. In fact, there are eight ways to get on the no-fly list, only one being a suspected terrorist. Of course the opponents of the NRA also ignore the fact that it supports safety around the country for civilians, law enforcement personnel and students, including the Eddie Eagle program teaching gun safety to millions of children.
Gun control proponents claim that guns in the hands of the lawful simply won’t prevent crime, yet the Centers for Disease Control conducted a study reflecting that the use of firearms for self-defense is an important crime deterrent, concluding that it may prevent 500,000 to more than 3 million crimes annually.
The opponents of gun ownership call for banning assault weapons, a seemingly reasonable approach to “gun safety.” Yet most cannot even describe an assault weapon other than looks. They won’t discuss the fact that fully automatic weapons are already controlled and have been for 80 years. The goal of the left isn’t to restrict or ban “assault -style” weapons but to ban all semi-automatic rifles and handguns as a start. Their campaign involves showing pictures of AK-47 and AR-15 style rifles to convince Americans of their danger.
But as the opponents move forward with their war on these weapons, they conveniently overlook yet another statistic. Of the 12,253 murders recorded in 2013, only 285 were committed by using rifles. In fact, while most were committed using handguns, more were killed using shotguns, blunt objects or hands and feet than using rifles. Knives accounted for more than five times the number of deaths than did rifles. What then should we do to reduce the illegal use of weapons in this country?
First, stop encouraging gun-free zones that will only point out safe areas to commit crimes. Support more gun safety programs in our schools. Consider armed security in all centers of community activity including schools, training those willing to participate. Require stronger sentencing laws for those using a gun to commit a crime. Enhance border security through technology and personnel to reduce smuggling of all cargo including human, drug and weapons. Encourage states to expand concealed carry permit programs which require safety and proficiency classes before extending licenses. Encourage reciprocity among states for concealed carry. After all, no law prohibiting concealed carry will prevent criminals from carrying…in any state. Background checks should be used to effectively prevent criminals from purchasing a gun, not to hinder law-abiding citizens. As statistics have shown, these and other such initiatives will do far more to reduce violence using guns than any attempts at slowing down sales of guns to those who would help legally defend themselves, their families, their homes and their communities.
Michael Miller is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve with service in Viet Nam. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Interior and has taught accounting and finance at Regis University in Denver.
