Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Time For National Gun Laws

As long as the nation doesn't go all open carry, that is. Every gun argument I've ever gotten into with a gun fetishist has come around to "what about all the murders in Chicago?" Fortunately here in NY we don't have deaths at that level. Not for lack of trying by the dealers in illegal guns.

Of the 30,606 guns found with complete transaction histories, law enforcement officials recovered 5,873 within three years of the last known recorded purchase, including 2,437 within one year.

And a hefty one-in-five guns recovered after use in crimes were recently trafficked into New York.

The low “time-to-crime” number, the report says, is a strong indication that the weapons were purchased “with the intent to be diverted to criminal use.”

In New York City, 91% of the low "time-to-crime" guns originated out-of-state, the analysis found. That's the largest percentage in the state. Long Island came in second at 58%.

I really don't mind if other states want to sell weapons and ammo in 7/11s. But, keep 'em in your state.

“The data makes one thing abundantly clear: New York’s strong gun laws are being undermined at every turn by lax laws in other states,” Schneiderman said. “Even as we work to make our streets safer, the illegal guns most often used in violent crimes continue to pour into our state.”


A nation of 50 states knit together through commerce is ultimately only as safe as its weakest firearm regulations allow.

Which is why Congress must, hopefully under the leadership of a President Hillary Clinton, finally require what 90% of the public supports: background checks for all gun purchases, including those at gun shows and over the internet.

And why the Senate and recalcitrant House must go further and pass Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Mark Kirk’s bill to make gun trafficking — moving firearms for the purpose of selling them to criminals — a federal felony.

Otherwise, firearms will continue to flow freely through the pipeline. And, contrary to the gun lobby mythologists, more guns will bring more death.

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