Detroit Police Chief "gun ownership deters crime"

[hillbillyreefer]

Detroit police chief: ‘No question in my mind’ legal gun ownership deters crime

00:00 / 01:14

By Jessica Chasmar-The Washington Times Wednesday, July 16, 2014

http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/20...ind-legal-gun/

Detroit has experienced 37 percent fewer robberies than it did last year, and Police Chief James Craig is crediting armed citizens for the drop.

“Criminals are getting the message that good Detroiters are armed and will use that weapon,” said Chief Craig, who has been an open advocate for private gun ownership, the Detroit News reported. “I don’t want to take away from the good work our investigators are doing, but I think part of the drop in crime, and robberies in particular, is because criminals are thinking twice that citizens could be armed.

“I can’t say what specific percentage is caused by this, but there’s no question in my mind it has had an effect,” he added.

In addition to the drop in robberies, Detroit has seen 22 percent fewer break-ins of businesses and homes and 30 percent fewer carjackings in 2014 than during the same period last year, the Detroit News reported.

Chief Craig said, however, that he doesn’t believe gun ownership deters criminals from attacking other criminals.

“They automatically assume another criminal is carrying,” he said. “I’m talking about criminals who are thinking of robbing a citizen; they’re less likely to do so if they think they might be armed.”

Detroit News reports that resident Al Woods, a self-described former criminal who is now an anti-violence activist, said he agrees that criminals are thinking twice about targeting innocents.

“If I was out there now robbing people these days, knowing there are a lot more people with guns, I know I’d have to rethink my game plan,” the 60-year-old told the paper.

Josh Horwitz, director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence in Washington, D.C., disagreed, arguing that “more guns equals more crime.”

“These are complicated issues, but the empirical evidence shows the states with the lowest gun ownership and the tightest restrictions have the fewest instances of gun violence,” he told the Detroit News.



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[Au revoir, Gopher]

Josh Horwitz, director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence in Washington, D.C., disagreed, arguing that “more guns equals more crime.”

“These are complicated issues, but the empirical evidence shows the states with the lowest gun ownership and the tightest restrictions have the fewest instances of gun violence,” he told the Detroit News.

So the Police Chief is talking about fewer robberies and this guy yammers on about "gun violence". Talk fast, smoke and mirrors, and maybe no one will notice you didn't answer the question.

ARG

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by hillbillyreefer

Chief Craig said, however, that he doesn’t believe gun ownership deters criminals from attacking other criminals.

“They automatically assume another criminal is carrying,” he said. “I’m talking about criminals who are thinking of robbing a citizen; they’re less likely to do so if they think they might be armed.”

That makes no sense. Criminals should be the safest people in the world because everyone knows they are armed.

And a drop of 37% over one year in robberies? So what occured in the past single year that everyone finally got the mesae? Did gun ownership go up 37% in one year.

I think the chief has a little wishful thinking going on. Perhaps he should study a little more and learn the true reason for such a huge drop.

Crime goes up and down in Alberta too, usually in time with the economy. Perhaps anyone with something worth stealing has finally flown the coop and left that bankrupt hole.

[Rockman]

The chief probably made that comment on anecdotal evidence, but actually yes, there has been a big spike in gun ownership, and it has been made known publicly, since Obama's ban scare.

I do think that violence and crime mostly begin and come from reasons other than gun ownership. But all other things being the same, knowing that law-abiding citizens are both carrying and empowered by law to use it would make a thief think twice and slow down his spree.

[qwert]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

That makes no sense. Criminals should be the safest people in the world because everyone knows they are armed.

And a drop of 37% over one year in robberies? So what occured in the past single year that everyone finally got the mesae? Did gun ownership go up 37% in one year.

I think the chief has a little wishful thinking going on. Perhaps he should study a little more and learn the true reason for such a huge drop.

Crime goes up and down in Alberta too, usually in time with the economy. Perhaps anyone with something worth stealing has finally flown the coop and left that bankrupt hole.

During the past several years many (most) states and cities have changed one word in their gun regulation from 'MAY issue' to 'SHALL issue'.

The regulators are no longer able to deny permits based on personal bias and MUST issue to any and all that qualify.

The cities that still have by far the highest rates of gun crime and violence are those like Chicago and DC that also have the most restrictive (MAY issue) gun regulation. The biggest proponents of gun control and gun regulation are the criminals that are its biggest beneficiaries. The rich and powerful have always been able to obtain carry permits and armed bodyguards, the change from MAY to SHALL allows common people the same choice.

[greylynx]

Hey Oki:

Obama made those bad dudes "come to Jesus".

That is your answer.

[Ryry4]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

That makes no sense. Criminals should be the safest people in the world because everyone knows they are armed.

And a drop of 37% over one year in robberies? So what occured in the past single year that everyone finally got the mesae? Did gun ownership go up 37% in one year.

I think the chief has a little wishful thinking going on. Perhaps he should study a little more and learn the true reason for such a huge drop.

Crime goes up and down in Alberta too, usually in time with the economy. Perhaps anyone with something worth stealing has finally flown the coop and left that bankrupt hole.

Or perhaps it has to do with a pro gun police chief encouraging private gun ownership and putting criminals on watch saying we won't be victims anymore.

Or maybe more thugs have just moved to Chicago where their behavior is appreciated more.

[fish gunner]

Why isnt canada rife with crime ?? When next to no one is packin

[dantonsen]

crimes and robberies down yadda yadda blah blah blah......

Crimes and robberies still higher than canada and most other deveoloped nations with gun control laws.


Yaaawn, thought this might be alittle more in depth than a police chief drawing conclusions. Not even going to manipulate statistics today? lol