Violent Crime Falls as Gun Ownership Numbers Grow

While the two trends are not necessarily linked, it is interesting that serious crime continues to decline while firearms ownership expands with each passing year. Last week, the FBI released its Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report for 2010, showing a decrease of 5.5 percent in the number of violent crimes brought to its attention in 2010 compared to the previous year. Violent crime, which includes murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, decreased in all four regions of the country and in both cities and non-metropolitan areas. For decades, violent crime in the United States has been dropping. Final figures for 2009 showed violent crime at its lowest level since 1984. At the same time, firearms ownership and use has been increasing, as right-to-carry legislation has been passed in 80% of U.S. States. There are now 40 Right-to-Carry States: 37 have “shall issue” laws, requiring that carry permits be issued to applicants who meet uniform standards established by the state legislature. Two have discretionary-issue carry permit systems. Vermont respects the right to carry without a permit. Alaska and Arizona have “shall issue” permit systems and have allowed concealed carrying without a permit since 2003 and July 2010, respectively. The largest surge in firearms sales occurred from late 2008 into 2010, and, according to an NSSF report, an estimated 34.4 million people went target shooting in 2009, the largest number ever.

Similar Posts:

• Big Growth in Concealed Carry — 5% of Americans Have Permits
• One in 15 American Adults Has a Handgun Permit
• FBI Reports Crime Drops as Gun Sales Rise
• Carry Nation — 17.25 Million Americans Have Carry Permits
• Does Increase in Lawful Concealed Carry Explain Drop in Crime?

Tags: Crime Rates, FBI, Right-To-Carry, Shall Issue, Violent Crime