Baltimore’s guns are well-traveled
by Lori Barrett | June 2, 2008 at 5:52 am
Posted in baltimore crime, politics
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 44 percent of the guns used in Maryland crimes last year came from other states. Only seven states import more guns.
Many are attributing this trend to Maryland’s tough gun control laws. Said one representative of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence: “Maryland is doing a pretty good job. It is making it much harder for criminals to get guns.” The Brady Center, among others, are using Maryland’s data as evidence that strict gun-control laws work and hope the federal government will revise their laws accordingly.
On the other side are those who feel that tough laws are nothing without proper enforcement. An adviser to the Baltimore Police Department said: “The most cost-effective way of reducing gun violence is to focus on illegal possession of guns and making that a very risky thing to do.”
To that end, officers in several units have been specifically targeting known criminals with guns, in an effort to get both off the streets. Whether this tactic is related to the 30 percent decrease in murders we’ve seen this year has yet to be determined.
If Maryland is indeed doing a “good job” on gun control, I would hate to see what kind of war zone we’d be living in under less-strict laws. What do you think — should Maryland be a model state for the nation’s gun control laws? Or do we need an entirely different approach altogether?
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June 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Gun control laws make it extremely difficult for people with a criminal record to legally purchase handguns. Maryland is very strict on the sale of handguns, in turn, lowering the number of crimes committed with registered weapons.
The problem remains: Weapons being used in violent crimes are unlawfully obtained or "imported".
Many weapons end up on the street and in the hands of criminals do to neglect of many lawfully permitted citizens. Home burglaries result in a large influx of weapons entering the streets. Legal gun owners need to take extra precautions in storing their weapons. Lock them in a safe when not at home. Most home burglaries occur when the property is empty. If your weapon is unsecured, a burglar will always steal the weapon primarily due to the street value alone.
There is not a problem with the laws on the books. Maryland does indeed do a good job in the gun control policy. As for the illegal acquisition of weapons; perhaps the state should place stronger penalties on those found using an unlawfully acquired/unregistered weapon in violent crimes.
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
DaveH you are entirely correct. How dare legal owners of guns leave their weapons in their homes. My god that is just begging people to steal them.
In fact women should be fully clothed to the ankles when out in public as well because they are just begging to be raped.
Instead of making excuses for criminals and blaming legal owners of guns for robberies maybe we should place the blame 110% on the criminals who are breaking into homes, buying guns out of trunks in alleys etc.
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
You missed my point Woodchuck. I am not blaming them for being gun owners at all. I am stating a simple fact. I own two handguns myself. I am saying that many weapons on the street are stolen from the homes of licensed/lawful owners because they are easily accessible. I keep my weapons secured and locked away in a place that is not easy to access in a "smash and grab" robbery. If someone wanted to get my weapons while not at home, they are going to need some industrial tools.
I appreciate your passion on the subject, but your sarcastic response is misplaced.