70 Million More Guns, 38 Percent Less Violent Crimes: FBI crime data show that in 2005, the nation’s total violent crime rate was 38 % Lower than in 1991, when violent crime hit all-time high. Rates of the individual categories of violent crimes were also much Lower. The murder rate went down by 43%, rape 25%, robbery 48%, and aggravated assault went down 33%.
Defying the anti-gunner’s claim that MORE guns means more crime, from 1991 to 2005, number of privately owned guns increased by more than 70 million. The report showed that only one in four violent crimes was committed with a firearm. In 2005, most violent crimes were robberies and aggravated assaults, and most were committed with knives and bare hands.
Washington, D.C., leads the nation in anti-gun laws, led the nation in murder, with a rate six times higher than the rest of the country. It’s neighbor, Maryland, where gun banners have been particularly active, once again had the highest robbery rate. It also tied for the unenviable distinction of “first place” in murder among the states.
There is good news from Florida, the state that has been attacked by anti-gunners for setting the Right-to-Carry and Castle Doctrine movements in motion. In 2005, Florida recorded a murder rate 13% Lower than the rate for the rest of the country [4.96 per 100,000 vs. 5.67 for the rest of the country]. For the record, Florida’s 2005 murder rate was 58% Lower than it was in 1986, the last year before the state’s landmark Castle Doctrine law took affect.
