Here is an article that refutes the VPC's fact study(?).
'Violence Policy Center, Teens and Guns Second Amendment Sisters 12.01.01
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While the "Violence Policy Center" (VPC) name makes one think that they are concerned with all types of violence, a quick look at their website and the end of their mission statement reveals their true agenda, "The Center examines the role of firearms in America, conducts research on firearms violence, and explores new ways to decrease firearm-related death and injury."
On Thursday November 29th it was reported on WBAL radio that Maryland, with it's strict gun control laws, had the highest "child handgun homicide rate" in the nation. It was reported that the VPC Spokeswoman was baffled by this statistic and stated, "This shows that there are too many guns in homes." Checking on this so-called study on their website, the VPC concludes that, "Until we limit the availability of handguns in the hands of both children and adults, this carnage will continue."
While we agree, the death of even one child, no matter the circumstances, is tragic, we must point out that the VPC constantly refers to "kids" in their "study". They do state that they include "kids" up to 17 yrs old. By using the word "kids" they are trying to form a picture in one's mind of an innocent 7 yr old playing in the yard. What they are really talking about is a vast majority of gang members killing other gang members, and teens committing suicide. Obviously, everyone is someone's child, but 15, 16, and 17 year old criminals are not "kids", they are criminals, involved it crimes, and taking the risks that go along with those crimes.
If the VPC were truly concerned with violence (as opposed to guns) they would have on their website, and make known, the following facts-
1. In 1996 there were only 21 accidental gun deaths for children under age15. Centers for Disease Control
2. EIGHT times as many children die from NON-GUN violent acts than from gun crimes. "Kids and Guns, 2000, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention."
3. 82% of homicides to children age 13 and under were committed WITHOUT a gun-1997. FBI Uniform Crime Statistics.
4. Four children die each day in the U.S. from parental neglect and abuse. National Center on Child Abuse Prevention, 1998 Annual Survey.
Second Amendment Sisters is dedicated to promoting and preserving the basic human right to self-defense, as recognized by the Second Amendment of the U. S. Constitution. Placing blame for society's ills on firearms ignores the larger, more complicated problems we face.
Guns in private hands are used about 2.5 million times each year to prevent crime, including rapes, aggravated assaults, and kidnapping-Gary Kleck, Criminologist, Florida State University. When the VPC proposes that, "...we limit the availability of handguns in the hands of both children and adults.", are they talking about guns (which protect people far more often than they are used to commit crime) or are they really talking about controlling the people who legally own guns? Also, why does the VPC continue to ignore the facts? What is it that the VPC really wants to accomplish? All good questions, which Second Amendment Sisters would like to get answered
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But we won't get the answers because the VPC wants to take away our guns ... period!