Posted on 12/04/2005 6:26:58 AM PST by billorites
SHOOTINGS in Boston are up 28 percent over last year, The Boston Globe reported last week. One culprit the Globe singled out: New Hampshire gun laws.
The paper noted that police have traced some guns to "New Hampshire and Vermont, where firearms laws are less strict and easy for criminals to manipulate."
Or, to put it another way, they have traced guns to New Hampshire and Vermont, where firearms laws are less strict and citizens have an easier time obtaining guns for self-defense. If our firearms laws are the cause of high gun crime, then why is most of the crime in Boston?
Boston mayor Thomas Menino professes to be angered by the guns coming into his city and wants to meet with regional and national officials to "stop the flow of guns across state borders," according to the Globe. That, of course, is impossible, but no doubt the mayor will try anyway. It beats taking responsibility for controlling crime in his own city.
We can sympathize with frustrated Boston residents whose neighborhoods are terrorized by criminals bringing danger from out of state. Why, right here in New Hampshire we are witnessing an explosion in crimes fueled by heroin addiction. Dominican gangs based in Massachusetts are the predominant suppliers of heroin to New Hampshire, according to federal officials. Where are the Bay State officials outraged about drug dealers crossing state borders?
In New Hampshire, we realize that citizens having ready access to guns is beneficial, as national data show that guns are used more often for defensive than offensive purposes. If Mayor Menino were to succeed in preventing guns from crossing state lines, he would effectively disarm many Massachusetts residents, thus making them more vulnerable to criminals. Just because a gun crossed a state line does not mean a criminal carried it over for criminal purposes.
If Boston leaders really want to reduce gun-related crimes in their city, we have a suggestion. Forget the guns; catch and lock up the criminals. The guns aren't going to go out on the streets and shoot by themselves.
Perhaps New Hampshire can help out, though. We could make a deal. We'll keep all our guns if Massachusetts keeps all its drug dealers.
Why arrest criminals when you can bray against 2nd amendment rights? Isn't that what a donkey is supposed to do?
Bump.
Many unarmed cities with high violent crime rates blame it on the availability of guns from neighboring States. They never seem to address the question of why their neighbors – who are armed – don’t have the same violent crime rate.
Fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity . - Sigmund Freud
Quemadmoeum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est." (A sword is never a killer, it's a tool in the killer's hands.) - Lucius Annaeus Seneca "the Younger" (ca. 4 BC-65 AD)
Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed one. - Thomas Jefferson quoting Cesare Beccaria, Criminologist 1764.
A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks. - Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to his nephew
I grew up in Massachusetts and was arrested for an unregistared BB Gun as a minor. The police officer while looking down the barrel asked me if it was a 22 Cal.
I was put on unofficial double secrect probation for seven months. (I had to be in the house by 7pm and as proof I had to call in)My mom thought it was stupid and would let me go out and play after I called in. God love her. . .
Same old DemonRAT B.S.
It's the laws. Crimminals will obey them if they are made stronger. To h#ll with everyone elses freedom.
The great paradox of gun control. None of the laws have any effect on those most prone to break them.
The New York times had a official editorial for the need for this last week. A cop was killed in NYC (with a stolen gun, so none of the proposed laws would have made a difference) so now the co-ordinated gun grabbing fest is starting. The Boston Globe, as many Freepers know, is owned by the NY Times. I belive a few NY Pols including the RINO mayor are supporting calls for other states to do what NY says. You'd think the fact that they control the Fed, Big Media and Wall Street would be enough. But noooo. Egotistical NY State and its butt-boy Mass. now when to tell other states what laws to have.
P.S. That policeman didn't seem too knowledgeable, either.
He shoulda asked them to keep all those Massachusetts liberals that keeps spilling northwards for the (wink,wink) better atmosphere to raise the kids - that's a plague far more deadly than drugs.
Yep.
A state that would elect and reelect John Kerry and Ted "The Swimmer" Kennedy. That sort of state.
They do the same thing around here, blaming DC's gun violence on neighboring Virginia's respect for the second amendment.
Well, I hope you got away from that place. Not good for your longevity to live in a place where you cannot defend yourself, you know.
Disregard earlier post. I thought to look and saw you are currently a resident of Texas.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.