Philadelphia homicides increase, NRA opposes gun control ordinances (surprised?)

LM: There were 263 homicides in Philadelphia in the first half of this year, compared to 250 during the same time last year. Roughly 85% of the homicides involved guns. There were over 2000 shootings in Philadelphia during 2006.

This is from the Philadelphia Inquirer, April 8, 2007:



LM: There's a good argument. When I have been shot, I will be happy to know that he will have been be reelected.

This is from the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action:



LM: Dear Rep. Surra: You are approximately 290 miles away, according to Yahoo Maps. I don’t particularly want your sympathy and I don’t give a rat’s naughty bits whether you are reelected or not. These shootings are in my neighborhood, and if supporting a gun control bill means you get tossed out of your office, support the bill and then drive a milk truck.

Dear NRA-ILA: Please shut up. If you do not wish to shut up, then come over and we'll take a walk around the block at night.

Here are the statistics, for anyone interested:
Number of homicides in Philadelphia in the first half of 2007: 203
Number of homicides in Philadelphia during this time involving guns: 177

Number of homicides in Philadelphia in 2006 : 406
Number of homicides in Philadelphia in 2006 involving guns: 344

Total number of shootings in Philadelphia in 2006: 2004
Total number of shootings from January 1, 2007 to May 18 2007: 648

What kind of "city gun-control ordinances" are being considered? Who thinks they would help with the problem, and why?

:shrug:

NRA-bashing has been a long tradition on DU. I've never been a member nor do I live in the area, but meaningful discussion is impossible in a vacuum of information.

owners are "We The Peoples" last defense against the government. :silly:

would only affect the law abiding. Criminals would go about business as usual. Restrictions worked well in DC.

My local news is out of Philly and I don't watch anymore because everyday it's at least one murder.

:shrug:

personnel as so many have been sent to Iraq?

It is hard to comment without the facts.

Nor is it worth my time to try to look it up.

"changing state preemption laws to allow local municipalities to pass their own laws."

I had to pull this off the NRA site so I decided not to post the url as to not offend anyone.

really this big city gun violence is scary

http://www.city-data.com/city/Philadelphia-Pennsylvania.html

It has about double the average city crime rate for all crimes. I suspect there is something deeper than a "gun problem".

Unfortunately, because they are criminals, they won't obey your gun-control laws. Just like they won't obey other laws about not committing crimes.

If you live in a dangerous neighborhood, you have a few options for your own personal health and safety:

1) Simplist and fastest is MOVE SOMEPLACE ELSE

2) Economic rebuilding of the area to reduce poverty and thus crime

3) Better schools to increase education, the job potential for graduates, and thus crime

4) Throw massive amounts of people in jail, and thus crime (no criminals, no crime)

5) Get your own gun and reduce your own personal crime rate (crime still happens, but not to you)


If you take other precautions to protect yourself in a high-crime area, such as walking with friends, not staying out late, multiple locks on doors, car alarms, locked windows, a martial-arts self-defense course, etc., why won't you take the extra step and arm yourself with a handgun?

And by that, I mean doing something meaningful about taking those responsible for the firearms violence off the streets.

Philly law makers are suffering from 'Brady Bloat' if they think eliminating preemption laws will even begin to solve the problem (works wonders in Chicago and Washington DC :sarcasm: ).