It gets quite entertaining hearing some of the things people say about guns. What’s even funnier is they actually think these myths are true. We decided it was time to bust some of those myths with the actual facts.
1. More Guns = More Crime
Studies have shown that increased gun ownership does not equal to an increased rate in crime. A report from the NRA-ILA states “The nation’s total violent crime rate hit an all-time high in 1991. Thereafter, it declined 18 of the next 20 years, 49 percent overall, to a 41-year low in 2011. That included a 52 percent decrease in the nation’s murder rate, to a 48-year low, nearly the lowest point in U.S. history. The FBI has preliminarily reported that in the first half of 2012, the murder rate dropped another 2.7 percent.”
2. There Have Been 18 Mass Shootings Already in 2018
This false information was circulating like wild fire after the unfortunate event in Parkland, Florida, and it is NOT TRUE. This lie originated from pro-gun control nonprofit known as Everytown for Gun Safety. A number of these shootings they were claiming were actually stray bullets where no one was injured, and some suicide cases as well.
3. Buying a Gun is Easier than Buying Veggies
So false. If you really believe this statement from Barack Obama, seriously do some research. Better yet, try and walk into a gun store and pick out a weapon like you would some produce and see what happens. Let’s briefly review the process of obtaining a gun in Massachusetts for example.
First, you must sign up for the Massachusetts Gun Safety Course. This is approximately a 4 hour course that usually costs about $100; you are required to take this course before even applying to get your License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms ID (FID). If you pass the course, you then have to schedule an interview with the licensing officer at the police station where you live. Many police stations require various documents when you apply – like formal letters to the Chief of Police, letters of recommendation, etc. During your interview, the licensing officer will review your application and asks a number of questions for your reasoning to obtain your LTC, and either accepts or denies your request. There are a number of regulations here for who does and does not get accepted, mostly depending on your criminal record and background. If you are accepted for the LTC or FID, you have to wait up to 8 weeks at times until your license comes in. Then, you can finally purchase your first weapon. In short, we certainly wouldn’t compare this to your usual grocery shopping trip.
4. The Second Amendment is Not Relevant Today
Many arguments say that the Second Amendment is outdated and is not reflective of modern-day society. The Founding Fathers did not write this document in order for it to be disregarded and lose credibility over time. These were smart men who knew that the world would be ever-evolving. This amendment was written to preserve the true rights of the American Citizens, just like the First Amendment was. A British legal theorist known as William Blackstone was a frequent source for the Founding Fathers – Blackstone stated the following, “Self-defense … as it is justly called the primary law of nature, so it is not, neither can it be in fact, taken away by the law of society.”
Blackstone’s statement was the primary reason as to why the Second Amendment was even written to begin with. The rise of technology, the internet, and different forms of communication have no effect on the credibility of the First Amendment, so why is the evolution of firearms and our form of self-defense now invalid? An interesting point to add here is that studies have shown the increase of media and news coverage around mass shootings have a positive correlation with their frequency. Researchers at Texas State University have reported that “some shooters are motivated by a desire for fame, notoriety, and/or recognition”. These researchers have even made a website known as DontNameThem.org to inform readers of the reasons why we need to shift media focus from the shooter to the victims and heroes of the incidents.
These myths are just a few of many that circulate around the firearms industry every day. Be sure to always keep yourself informed on the facts and as always, be a safe, confident, and responsible gun owner.
Sources:
dailysignal.com/2018/02/15/6-common-media-myths-gun-control/
dontnamethem.org/
nraila.org/articles/20130215/more-guns-less-crime-2013
nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/10/media-mass-shootings-copycats.html