Fecteau: Guns are the Problem
Thursday, July 09, 2015
Matt Fecteau, GoLocalProv Guest MINDSETTER™
This past 4th of July weekend in Chicago was particularly bloody.
In approximately eight hours, gun violence took the lives of eight people, including a 7-year-old named Amari Brown, and wounded 55 others. This is just another in a long list of examples, including Newtown, and Charleston, that shows why we need drastic change in our gun policies.
Gun rights advocates seem astute at blaming everything from lack of mental healthcare to pervasive poverty for gun violence. Some even justify gun ownership for self-defense. Strangely, it appears like it is everything, but the gun.
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Mental health is an easy scapegoat for gun violence. However, the United States has similar rates of psychologically disturbed people to other developed countries, and mental health is something that is reasonable funded. We could always improve, but merely pointing to mental health as the prime cause of many of these mass shootings is misleading.
Poverty plays a role. American poverty rate is one of the highest in the industrialized world, and has one of the weakest social safety nets. Yet, because guns are so prevalent and gun laws so negligent, the cost for illicit firearms is radically reduced, making them more inexpensive to people living in poverty.
Self-defense holds little water. According to the Washington Post, for every criminal killed with a gun in self-defense, around 34 innocent people die. After Newtown, Mother Jones examined 62 mass shootings, and not one was stopped by a civilian with a firearm.
While we shouldn’t demonize all gun owners, the common denominator in mass shootings is right in front of our eyes: a firearm. Americans have the right to bear arms, and that right shouldn’t be infringed. However, to fail to see the adverse impact of gun violence on our community is simply inexcusable.
The statistics are grim. According to USA Today, in the United States, gun violence takes the lives of 88 people each day and mass shootings occur nearly at the rate of one every two weeks. According to the United Nations, American gun violence far outpaces other similar countries. On average, an American citizen is 20 times more likely to die by gun violence than any other industrialized country.
Firearms are indeed prevalent. While estimates vary, the United States has almost 310 million civilian firearms, the highest in the world, virtually one per person.
After President Barack Obama’s election in 2008, and reelection 2012, gun sales climbed through the roof. On average, from 2007 to 2015, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System increased 7% adjusted annually. In other words, more people were seeking to purchase firearms with each passing year.
In 2013, after Newtown, gun manufacturers had a particularly good year. The largest US gun manufacturer, Sturm Ruger, reported earnings of 52% and a sales increase of 32%, one of its best years ever.
Firearm ownership has been going down, but more guns are being sold. According to a 2014 General Social Survey, only 32% of Americans owns a gun or lives with someone that owns a gun. That is down from highs in the late 1970s and early 1980s of nearly half the population. While fewer people are purchasing weapons, a minority of Americans are stockpiling them, making guns more accessible.
The gun lobby peddles paranoia as a sales tactic. They let their supporters know the government could seize their weapons at any minute, and only the right to bear arms can keep the federal government at bay. This sends gun rights advocates into a frenzy, gun sales go through the roof, and the stock price skyrockets.
For the supporters of sensible gun control policies, reality is bitter. President Barack Obama has done nothing to rein in gun violence. In fact, some could argue this has been his greatest failure. Yet, tell that to those buying guns in such great numbers.
With the prevalence of firearms, our laws remain willfully inadequate. In the aftermath of Newtown, the federal government failed to pass any substantive legislation. In addition, sadly, a majority of states failed to rein in gun violence. The New York Times reports that states enacted 39 laws that tightened gun restrictions while 70 laws were enacted to loosen gun restrictions.
With more guns in fewer hands, guns become harder to track with our antiquated system. According to federal law, the government cannot create a central repository of firearms sales, making tracing, and locating the source of firearms used in violent crimes especially cumbersome for law enforcement.
If a licensed gun dealer loses his license because of an impropriety, he can merely sell guns as a private citizen circumventing any background checks or record mandate as required by law for licensed dealers.
As Americans, we need to look at the cold, hard truth. Guns are the common denominator with all mass shootings. Because guns are so accessible, a mentally deranged or violent person can easily obtain one until we enact reasonable and sensible gun control polices.
With such insufficient federal laws, places like Chicago become collateral damage. A dangerous combination of poverty, gangs, and guns creates the perfect storm for violence as we’ve seen this past weekend. While there are a number of factors, without a gun or with limited access to guns, killing would be much more difficult especially in such mass.
The guns used in violent crimes in Chicago don't appear out of thin air. Between 2001 and 2012, the Chicago Police Department traced approximately 50,000 recovered guns, and found half came from sister counties in Illinois with loose gun laws. The other half came from southern states such as Mississippi, the same states that just recently loosened gun restrictions.
We need to demand action. Gun violence needs to stop. If you have a history of mental illness or violence, quite simply, I don’t want you near a firearm. That shouldn’t be a controversial statement, but strangely, it is.
Gun ownership plays an important part of our society, but failing to read the writing on the wall will only cost more American lives. Until that time comes, the violence like we’ve seen in Chicago this past weekend will continue to haunt us, and we will continue to ask why.
We already know the answer: guns.
Matt Fecteau ([email protected]), of Pawtucket, lost to U.S. Rep. David Cicilline in last year’s Democratic primary. He is a former White House national security intern and Iraq war veteran.
Related Slideshow: Most Violent Cities and Towns in RI According to the FBI
Below are 38 cities and towns of Rhode Island ranked by violent crime, according to data by the FBI. Exeter is not included in the list because it is part of the RI State Police jurisdiction.
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#38 Little Compton
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0
2013 Violent Crimes: 0
2013 Population: 3,474
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 0
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Interesting fact from the data: Little Compton only recorded 26 property crimes in the entire year.
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#37 Jamestown
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.184
2013 Violent Crimes: 1
2013 Population: 5,442
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Interesting fact from the data: In 2013, Jamestown had 5 recorded burglaries.
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#36 Barrington
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.184
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 16,286
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 1
Interesting fact from the data: Barrington had 1 recorded arson in the entire year.
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#35 Scituate
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.287
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 10,443
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 2
Interesting fact from the data: In 2013, Scituate had 37 recorded cases of larceny-theft.
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#34 Glocester
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.304
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 9,858
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 2
Interesting fact from the data: Glocester only recorded 49 property crimes in the entire year.
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#33 East Greenwich
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.458
2013 Violent Crimes: 6
2013 Population: 13,104
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 3
Aggravated Assaults: 2
Interesting fact from the data: East Greenwich had 2 recorded motor vehicle thefts.
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#32 Bristol
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.496
2013 Violent Crimes: 11
2013 Population: 22,160
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 6
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Interesting fact from the data: In 2013, Bristol had 34 recorded burglaries.
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#31 Portsmouth
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.520
2013 Violent Crimes: 9
2013 Population: 17,300
Murder: 1
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 7
Interesting fact from the data: Portsmouth had 210 recorded property crimes in 2013.
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#30 Hopkinton
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.616
2013 Violent Crimes: 5
2013 Population: 8,112
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 2
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Interesting fact from the data: 84 cases larceny-theft were recorded for the entire year.
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#29 Foster
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.644
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 4,660
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 0
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Interesting fact from the data: In 2013, Foster had 0 cases of arson.
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#28 Richmond
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.658
2013 Violent Crimes: 5
2013 Population: 7,598
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Interesting fact from the data: Richmond had 4 recorded motor vehicle thefts.
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#27 South Kingstown
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.693
2013 Violent Crimes: 21
2013 Population: 30,309
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 7
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 12
Interesting fact from the data: In 2013, South Kingstown had 297 recorded property crimes.
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#26 Narragansett
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.702
2013 Violent Crimes: 11
2013 Population: 15,668
Murder: 1
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 6
Interesting fact from the data: 164 larceny-thefts were recorded in Narragansett in 2013.
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#25 Smithfield
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.745
2013 Violent Crimes: 16
2013 Population: 21,490
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 0
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 14
Interesting fact from the data: Only 3 arsons were recorded in Smithfield for the entire year.
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#24 Middletown
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.873
2013 Violent Crimes: 14
2013 Population: 16,037
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 8
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 6
Interesting fact from the data: In Middletwon, 11 motor vehicle thefts were recorded.
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#23 Coventry
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.886
2013 Violent Crimes: 31
2013 Population: 34,971
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 8
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 21
Interesting fact from the data: 99 burglaries were recorded in Coventry.
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#22 Johnston
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.894
2013 Violent Crimes: 26
2013 Population: 29,068
Murder: 2
Forcible Rape: 8
Robbery: 4
Aggravated Assaults: 12
Interesting fact from the data: 564 property crimes were recorded in Johnston in 2013.
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#21 North Kingstown
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.956
2013 Violent Crimes: 25
2013 Population: 26,156
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 4
Aggravated Assaults: 18
Interesting fact from the data: In North Kingstown, only 5 arsons were recorded.
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#20 Charlestown
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.03
2013 Violent Crimes: 8
2013 Population: 7,770
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 2
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 4
Interesting fact from the data: 1 motor vehicle theft was recorded in Charlestown .
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#19 Lincoln
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.031
2013 Violent Crimes: 22
2013 Population: 21,334
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 2
Robbery: 7
Aggravated Assaults: 13
Interesting fact from the data: 461 property crimes were recorded in Lincoln.
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#18 Cumberland
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.058
2013 Violent Crimes: 36
2013 Population: 34,028
Murder: 1
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 10
Aggravated Assaults: 22
Interesting fact from the data: In Cumberland, 322 larceny-thefts were recorded for 2013.
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#17 Westerly
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.061
2013 Violent Crimes: 24
2013 Population: 22,629
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 9
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 13
Interesting fact from the data: A total of 74 recorded burglaries were recorded in Westerly .
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#16 Warren
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.137
2013 Violent Crimes: 12
2013 Population: 10,557
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 4
Aggravated Assaults: 5
Interesting fact from the data: 14 motor vehicle thefts were recorded in Warren.
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#15 Warwick
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.137
2013 Violent Crimes: 93
2013 Population: 81,789
Murder: 4
Forcible Rape: 35
Robbery: 15
Aggravated Assaults: 39
Interesting fact from the data: In 2013, 2,015 property crimes were recorded in Warwick.
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#14 West Greenwich
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.150
2013 Violent Crimes: 7
2013 Population: 6,085
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Interesting fact from the data: In West Greenwich, recorded motor vehicle thefts were double the number of arsons recorded in 2013.
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#13 North Smithfield
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.153
2013 Violent Crimes: 14
2013 Population: 12,138
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 3
Aggravated Assaults: 8
Interesting fact from the data: There were 0 recorded arsons in North Smithfield in 2013.
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#12 Burrillville
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.239
2013 Violent Crimes: 20
2013 Population: 16,141
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 7
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 13
Interesting fact from the data: Only 7 motor vehicle thefts were recorded in Burriville in 2013.
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#11 East Providence
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.271
2013 Violent Crimes: 60
2013 Population: 47,200
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 12
Robbery: 16
Aggravated Assaults: 32
Interesting fact from the data: 531 larceny-thefts were recorded in East Providence.
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#10 Tiverton
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.330
2013 Violent Crimes: 21
2013 Population: 15,792
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 5
Robbery: 5
Aggravated Assaults: 11
Interesting fact from the data: Tiverton had 0 arsons recorded.
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#9 North Providence
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.458
2013 Violent Crimes: 47
2013 Population: 32,234
Murder: 2
Forcible Rape: 10
Robbery: 7
Aggravated Assaults: 28
Interesting fact from the data: 338 larceny-thefts were recorded in North Providence in 2013.
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#8 Cranston
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.871
2013 Violent Crimes: 151
2013 Population: 80,718
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 29
Robbery: 42
Aggravated Assaultss: 80
Interesting fact from the data: In 2013, 1,755 property crimes were recorded in Cranston.
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#7 West Warwick
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.874
2013 Violent Crimes: 54
2013 Population: 28,817
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 23
Robbery: 12
Aggravated Assaults: 19
Interesting fact from the data: In West Warwick, 24 motor vehicle thefts were recorded.
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#6 New Shoreham
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 2.885
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 1,040
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 0
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Interesting fact from the data: Only 14 larceny-thefts were recorded in New Shoreham in 2013.
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#5 Pawtucket
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 3.913
2013 Violent Crimes: 279
2013 Population: 71,305
Murder: 5
Forcible Rape: 44
Robbery: 71
Aggravated Assaults: 159
Interesting fact from the data: 2,322 property crimes were recorded in Pawtucket.
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#4 Newport
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 4.649
2013 Violent Crimes: 111
2013 Population: 23,874
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 19
Robbery: 12
Aggravated Assaults: 80
Interesting fact from the data: Newport had 17 arsons in 2013 recorded.
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#3 Woonsocket
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 5.870
2013 Violent Crimes: 241
2013 Population: 41,057
Murder: 1
Forcible Rape: 41
Robbery: 48
Aggravated Assaults: 151
Interesting fact from the data: 87 motor vehicle thefts were recorded in Woonsocket in 2013.
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#2 Providence
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 6.233
2013 Violent Crimes: 1,115
2013 Population: 178,887
Murder: 12
Forcible Rape: 97
Robbery: 365
Aggravated Assaults: 641
Interesting fact from the data: Providence had more property crimes than any other city and town in RI in 2013.
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#1 Central Falls
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 6.751
2013 Violent Crimes: 131
2013 Population: 19,404
Murder: 2
Forcible Rape: 9
Robbery: 34
Aggravated Assaults: 86
Interesting fact from the data: 12 arsons were recorded in Central Falls in 2013.
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