Michael Lorrey wrote:
>Then why is there such a striking difference in the crime rates between
>Rockinham County, NH and Middlesex County, MA (right next to each
>other), which have nearly identical population desities different
>economic statuses, and vastly different ethnic makeups and gun laws?
>This sort of disparity is seen in many locations.
Not being entirely familiar with NH and MA, would have to look more closely at it. BTW, Sounds like the only thing they have in common is location and population density...I wonder what other differences there might be?
>Which is why giving citizens the ability to carry their own guns is so
>important. There is no surer or swifter, certain or consistent
>punishment than to be shot by your victim at the scene of the crime. Its
>the only death penalty that works.
Personally, I think a well armed general population probably does decrease some types of violent crime. Indeed, I have heard that analyses done on states which have had changes in their concealed carry laws seem to show that increases in the ability of people to legally carry concealed firearms tend to decrease violent crime rates (note, some of the statistics on this have been questioned as per accuracy). Also, I remember hearing many years back that Kennesaw<sp> Co, Georgia, made it a requirement that adults have a gun in the house, and they also seemed to have a decrease in violent crime.
Glen