news
2.15.01 WND
Maryland Citizens Defense League blames state's distinction as one of the most violent in the nation on restrictive gun laws. Blamed are lengthy waiting periods, 1996 Gun Violence Act, affordable handgun bans, one-per-month purchase restrictions and discretionary concealed carry permits.
Taking their data from the 1999 FBI Unified Crime Report, the MCDL said its study shows Maryland no. 4 in violent crime, no. 4 in murder and no 1 in robbery. The UCR lists Maryland's robbery rate at 263.7 per 100,000 citizens, surpassing New York's rate of 240.8 and outdistancing the national average of 150.2/100,000.
"By sponsoring and promoting victim disarmament in high-crime neighborhoods Maryland legislators and Gov. Parris Glendening (Dem), have created the violent criminal's dream-a 'victim rich' environment." says the group. MCDL asserts state gun controls have created, " for professional and amateur robbers alike the safest working conditions in these United States".
Anti-gun critics have said while violent crime has fallen on a national scale, there remain pockets of high crime and violence where gun laws are most restrictive. Univ. of Maryland's anti-gun researcher David McDowell concluded 'waiting periods have no influence on either gun homicides or suicides'.
Uploaded: 2/16/2001
Uploaded: 2/16/2001