Several Dead In Southern California Shooting Spree

[spin]

82. Both the gun rights groups and the gun control supporters push the misconception ....

that we are right in the middle of a violent crime epidemic.

It's hard to promote the sale of firearms by saying that violent crime is now at a 40 year low. It's also difficult to push for draconian gun laws when you first admit that we have witnessed a steady decrease in gun violence.

The interesting fact is that in recent years the sale of firearms has skyrocketed. Since Florida passed "shall issue" concealed carry in 1987, similar laws have swept across our nation. Today tens of millions of honest citizens have licenses to carry and many do on a regular basis.

It is impossible to prove that more guns = less crime, but it should be fair to say that more guns have not led to an increase in violent crime.

A significant percentage of gun violence in our nation is due to turf warfare between completing drugs gangs who profit from our failed War on Drugs. Chicago is a prime example. The legalization of some drugs such as marijuana might reduce gun violence far more than another Assault Weapons Ban. Improvements to our mental health care system could help reduce tragic massacres.

I feel we can improve our current gun laws and reduce gun violence further without banning any types of firearms or implementing gun control laws such as exist in Australia. It's my opinion that pushing for bans and excessively strong regulations only hamper any progress we could make.