A bulletin from the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace in San Antonio, Texas, may function a reminder—or perhaps a warning—to gun house owners to not depart their defensive sidearm within the automotive, truck or SUV, whether or not it’s at dwelling, at a shopping center and even grocery store; wherever thieves may break in.
Unintentionally, it’s a condemnation of so-called “gun-free zones” which accurately pressure legally-armed residents to depart their {hardware} of their parked car reasonably than carry it securely whether or not they’re buying, going to a film, attending a sports activities occasion, going to church and even doing enterprise at a authorities workplace.
By no small coincidence, the town council in Newport Information, VA voted this week to ban weapons in city-owned buildings and in parts of buildings not owned, however utilized by, metropolis workers, based on the Virginian-Pilot. Solely Councilman John Eley forged a “No” vote. He defined, “I need to have the ability to defend myself.”
WVEC Information is reporting that not less than a dozen residents spoke in opposition to the measure, however the council adopted the ban anyway.
Listed here are some chilly, arduous information posted in an August 19 report within the Authorized Reader:
1,074,022 firearms have been reported stolen within the U.S. between 2017 and 2021, which equates to a mean of 200,000 per 12 months.
There have been extra weapons stolen in 2017 than in 2021, regardless of a rise in gun gross sales nationwide in 2021.
Solely 10% of stolen weapons are utilized in crimes yearly, however 43.2% of criminals who used a firearm within the fee of against the law bought it from an “underground vendor.”
However right here’s some data one doesn’t often get from the gun prohibition crowd because it doesn’t match their narrative:
Regardless of rhetoric about gun reveals, firearms bought from gun reveals are the least doubtless for use in crimes (0.8%), and people bought from an FFL vendor by the offender are utilized in just one.3% of crimes.
The overwhelming majority (85.9%) of criminals possessing a firearm after they dedicated their crimes, bought or obtained the firearm from someplace apart from a licensed vendor.
Opposite to some assumptions, the speed of authorized firearm house owners, state and federal laws, and the variety of authorized weapons don’t improve murder charges. Nevertheless, there’s a clear correlation between the prevalence of stolen weapons and elevated murder charges.
Alarmingly, based on the USA in San Antonio, “Practically 2,300 firearms have been stolen from autos in San Antonio this 12 months.” That’s simply in a single Texas metropolis. It interprets to tens of 1000’s of weapons nationwide, and that’s a number of contraband {hardware} which might wind up being utilized in crimes for which law-abiding gun house owners are penalized by “gun security laws.”
Underscoring this case is a report out of Seattle, Washington involving the arrest of a four-time felon from whom police took a stolen pistol linked to 9 completely different shootings within the metropolis since early October, based on a report at KOMO, the native ABC Information affiliate. The 26-year-old suspect was not named as a result of he has not but been formally charged.
However right here’s an fascinating tidbit, because of an internet KOMO reader/viewer survey. Washington voters simply elected anti-gun Democrat Lawyer Basic Bob Ferguson to be the state’s subsequent governor. Democrats maintain the bulk within the state capital of Olympia. However they could need to shift priorities when coping with crime within the upcoming session, beginning in January.
In response to the KOMO ballot, respondents consider crucial problem going through the Legislature is coping with repeat offenders (77%), the drug commerce (12%), stolen automobiles utilized in crimes/auto theft (4%) and gun management (4%). The place Democrat lawmakers habitually push gun management to make it seem they’re doing one thing about crime, they’ve been weak on addressing crime and punishment. January may present some surprises within the Evergreen State.
The place are the gun theft hotspots? In response to the San Antonio bulletin, “Retail parking heaps regularly function sizzling spots for burglaries, and thieves are able to breaking right into a car, stealing a gun, and fleeing, all inside 15 seconds or much less. Moreover, statistics present that automotive burglars goal vans and autos that show stickers, insignia, and license plates indicating army or regulation enforcement affiliation, in addition to firearm possession.”
Who’s received a bumper sticker declaring “Insured by Smith & Wesson?” Who’s received an NRA decal of their truck/SUV window?
Twenty-nine states now enable “constitutional” carry and not using a allow or license. The remaining states, all run by Democrats, nonetheless require licenses, and a few don’t acknowledge out-of-state licenses.
Savvy gun house owners have concluded they won’t patronize companies which submit their premises off-limits to firearms. Criminals don’t obey such prohibitions, so why ought to trustworthy residents? These “good guys with weapons” have concluded the best type of gun management is to maintain it with you.
About Dave Workman
Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, creator of a number of books on the Proper to Preserve & Bear Arms, and previously an NRA-certified firearms teacher.