USA Today 2/20/07
Has anyone read the front page article in today's USA Today? The article blames the rise in crime to the repeal of the assault weapons ban and how police departments are having to aquire heavier weapons to keep up with the bad guy's.
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Here's the article
By Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON - Law enforcement agencies across the country have been upgrading their firepower to deal with what they say is the increasing presence of high-powered weapons on the streets.
Scott Knight, chairman of the Firearms Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, says an informal survey of about 20 departments revealed that since 2004 all of the agencies have either added weapons to officers' patrol units or have replaced existing weaponry with military-style arms.
Knight, police chief in Chaska, Minn., says the upgrades have occurred since a national ban on certain assault weapons expired in September 2004. The ban, passed in 1994, in part prohibited domestic gunmakers from producing semi-automatic weapons and ammunition dispensers holding more than 10 rounds.
"This (weapons upgrade) is being done with an eye to the absolute knowledge that more higher-caliber weapons are on the street since the expiration of the ban," Knight said. He said his own department of about 20 officers is in the midst of determining whether to upgrade its weapons.
Ron Stucker, criminal investigations chief of the Orange County Sheriff's Department in Florida, says the department has been rearming many of its deputies with assault weapons in the past two years.
Stucker says deputies are now "frequently" encountering assault weapons in local robberies and during simple traffic stops. Weapons seizures in Orlando have increased overall by 26% since 2004.
It was not immediately clear if assault weapons were driving the increase in weapons seizures or were directly linked to the county's record number of homicides in 2006, Stucker says.
In Houston, where homicides were up as much as 25% in 2006 over the previous year, Police Chief Harold Hurtt says the AK-47 assault rifle has become "kind of a weapon of choice" for warring gangs, major drug distributors and immigrant smugglers in a city that has become a major transit point for criminals.
"The reality on the street is that many of these weapons are readily available," says Hurtt, whose department began upgrading its weaponry with assault-style arms about three years ago before he arrived from Phoenix.
Last year, because of the escalation of violence and firepower on the street, Hurtt says he ordered patrol officers to wear body armor. Wearing armor had long been a matter of personal choice for officers.
The chief also is considering a proposal from officers to put 12-gauge shotguns back inside their patrol cars so they can be more accessible.
He said shotguns were moved to the car trunks when the cabs became crowded with laptop computers and other equipment.
Paul Erhardt, a spokesman for major gun manufacturer Sigarms, says the 2001 terrorist attacks, the violence following Hurricane Katrina and other high-profile incidents involving weapons contributed more to law enforcement's interest in rearming officers than any concerns raised by the expiring assault weapons ban. Erhardt's company outfits about 40% of the statewide law enforcement agencies in the USA.0 -
Always blame the gun,not the gang banger,illegal immigrant,or drug smuggler/dealer.[:(!] 0 -
those "higher caliber" weapons sound dangerous!
Who is protecting our children?!?!?!?!?0 -
quote:Originally posted by ljwrench
It was not immediately clear if assault weapons were driving the increase in weapons seizures or were directly linked to the county's record number of homicides in 2006, Stucker says.
Yeah, wouldn't want to have some facts in hand before immediately blaming the "assault weapons." [:(!]0 -
what a bunch of crap. the article mentions "weapon seizures" but how could police be seizing the weapons if they are now legal ? also, the article only mentions the federal law but fails to mention that most states still have sticter bans on "assualt weapons".
the USA Today is well known for being VERY LEFT WING now.0 -
quote:Originally posted by warriorsfan
quote:Originally posted by ljwrench
It was not immediately clear if assault weapons were driving the increase in weapons seizures or were directly linked to the county's record number of homicides in 2006, Stucker says.
Yeah, wouldn't want to have some facts in hand before immediately blaming the "assault weapons." [:(!]
Naaaaaaa warriorsfan, facts just confuse them.
Reading that statement, it IS immediately clear, that they are fishing for ANY excuse to arm civilian LEO's with military firepower, and to blame the expiration of the ban for it.
The SAME GUNS were around before the ban expired, as afterwards. "Hi cap" mags were plentiful, cheap, and easily obtainable. Of course I admit that a pistol grip, bayonet lug, or flash suppressor on these firearms make them SO MUCH MORE dangerous, since the ban expired. [/sarcasm]
What a CROCK. [:(!]0 -
Is it coinsidence or my paraniod imagination that this article comes out at about the same time that the Dems are talking about another "Assault Weapons Ban"? Just wait and see. The American people will be flooded with anti-gun articles and news reports (more than normal) in the next few months so the Left can justify more restrictions on firearms.
http://www.myspace.com/ljwrench0 -
This is a bunch of crap. The LEGAL gun owners purchasing a weapon has nothing to do with the criminals getting their hands on illegal weapons and weapon parts (fully automatic parts). Making laws that stop the general population from getting or owning guns makes no difference to the already illegal criminal. He will get his hands on an illegal gun or gun parts no matter what the law says. They don't respect the law to begin with, hence the label CRIMINAL. Idiots who write crap like this have no common sense. 0 -
I guess if i whack a guy with a claw hammer they will ban them too,police confiscate claw hammers on front page tomarrow![:o)][}:)][;)] 0 -
Well I guess if guns kill people, then my computer miksspelles the workds![;)][;)] 0 -
+1
They got a memo to run it
quote:Originally posted by ljwrench
Is it coinsidence or my paraniod imagination that this article comes out at about the same time that the Dems are talking about another "Assault Weapons Ban"? Just wait and see. The American people will be flooded with anti-gun articles and news reports (more than normal) in the next few months so the Left can justify more restrictions on firearms.
http://www.myspace.com/ljwrench0 -
Guess I am going to need me some sidewinders to keep up. 0 -
"the violence following Hurricane Katrina"
I was just as offended with this statement from Sig. The only violence I saw after Hurricane Katrina was police brutality. [:(!]0 -
ABC news tonight got the memo too....they were even able to get cop killer bullets into the gangs hands. 0 -
quote: In Houston, where homicides were up as much as 25% in 2006 over the previous year, Police Chief Harold Hurtt says the AK-47 assault rifle has become "kind of a weapon of choice" for warring gangs, major drug distributors and immigrant smugglers in a city that has become a major transit point for criminals.
Complete and utter crap. The only reason why murders and all crime raised so high last year in Houston was because New Orleans offloaded all their crap on us.
The gangs from Houston are fighting the gangs from New Orleans. Hell katrina evacuees are even fighting in our schools causing riots. I watched a interview and the Houston student said the fight initially started due to some New Orleans kid saying "we own this school now". Evidently the Texan kids felt otherwise.
Can't stand the trash thats here now.0 -
If we are to go by mere correlation, the more logical item to blame in the rise of crime would be the New Orleans diaspora engaging in their usual habits over a wider swathe of the USA and the increase in the illegal immigrant population.
Or to put it another way, my guns have killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's or Laura Bush's cars and most definitely have inflicted less harm than illegals and Katrina refugees have.0 -
quote:Originally posted by vess1
"the violence following Hurricane Katrina"
I was just as offended with this statement from Sig. The only violence I saw after Hurricane Katrina was police brutality. [:(!]
Other than rescue helicopters being shot at by "hurricane victims"?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
quote:Originally posted by vess1
"the violence following Hurricane Katrina"
I was just as offended with this statement from Sig. The only violence I saw after Hurricane Katrina was police brutality. [:(!]
Other than rescue helicopters being shot at by "hurricane victims"?
That never actually happened.0 -
Damn it ... I wanted to be the one to blame those well behaved boys and girls from New Orleans on the rise in Houstons crime. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dbain99
Damn it ... I wanted to be the one to blame those well behaved boys and girls from New Orleans on the rise in Houstons crime.
I haven't met one that isn't a waste of oxygen. I've only met pure trash. Ignorant cannot begin to describe the typical bleening piece of poops that we got here from that poophole New bleen you Orleans.0 -
Here is chief knights page:
http://www.chaskamn.com/policeold/Chiefs.htm
Chaska, MN:
http://www.chaskamn.com/siteindex/index.htm
I wonder if we can "zumbo" him?[}:)][:D]
Don0 -
quote:Originally posted by Msut77
quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
quote:Originally posted by vess1
"the violence following Hurricane Katrina"
I was just as offended with this statement from Sig. The only violence I saw after Hurricane Katrina was police brutality. [:(!]
Other than rescue helicopters being shot at by "hurricane victims"?
That never actually happened.
According to what liberal rag?
I happen to be aquainted with a US Army helicopter pilot whose team might open your eyes (if that is possible).0 -
WTH is Chaska, MN? Somehow I doubt they've got a serious gang problem or high crime rate with assault weapons. I bet someone at USA Today knew his stance on private citizens owning firearms. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
quote:Originally posted by Msut77
quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
quote:Originally posted by vess1
"the violence following Hurricane Katrina"
I was just as offended with this statement from Sig. The only violence I saw after Hurricane Katrina was police brutality. [:(!]
Other than rescue helicopters being shot at by "hurricane victims"?
That never actually happened.
According to what liberal rag?
I happen to be aquainted with a US Army helicopter pilot whose team might open your eyes (if that is possible).
He was there and was shot at while piloting a helicopter?
If so the DHS, FEMA the Air Force/Louisiana Air National Guard would probably like a word with him since they never confirmed one being shot at.0 -
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
If we are to go by mere correlation, the more logical item to blame in the rise of crime would be the New Orleans diaspora engaging in their usual habits over a wider swathe of the USA and the increase in the illegal immigrant population.
Or to put it another way, my guns have killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's or Laura Bush's cars and most definitely have inflicted less harm than illegals and Katrina refugees have.
You know that is typical of the logic anti-gunner's use, to put a accident in the same catagory as a murder.
Makes me wonder if you own any guns at all.
Don0 -
dongizmo,
It's called rhetoric and sarcasm. Look them up some time and don't be so quick to get your panties in a wad, okay?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
quote:Originally posted by vess1
"the violence following Hurricane Katrina"
I was just as offended with this statement from Sig. The only violence I saw after Hurricane Katrina was police brutality. [:(!]
Other than rescue helicopters being shot at by "hurricane victims"?
You saw one with bullet holes in it? Or is that hear say? I'm not going to argue with you on whether or not there were low life scum down there. I know there was some real trash.
I DID SEE cops going door to door confiscating any firearm from law abiding citizens just staying in their homes hoping to survive the fiasco. While armed gangs roamed the streets. LOL!! I saw cops bust in and beat up an old woman for handing over an upside down, junky looking snub-nose revolver, hanging on one finger. TOTAL BS!!!!! They were all probably picked on in school. But man, they put that behind them and took care of business in that instance. LOL!
And then when it was all over, the DAs didn't even bother to label where everything came from so when the law abiding citizens came back to get their expensive firearms, NO GO!!! If you didn't have the serial numbers you weren't getting them and some that did couldn't even get them back. Most never got anything back. What a disgrace. Just a cheap confiscation in the face of a natural disaster.0 -
quote:Originally posted by He Dog
Guess I am going to need me some sidewinders to keep up.
ci,0 -
That's funny because in my area all the gangbangers and druggies seem to use hand guns. This is one of the worst areas in PA.[:(!][:(!][:(!] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Msut77
quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
quote:Originally posted by Msut77
quote:Originally posted by Rocklobster
quote:Originally posted by vess1
"the violence following Hurricane Katrina"
I was just as offended with this statement from Sig. The only violence I saw after Hurricane Katrina was police brutality. [:(!]
Other than rescue helicopters being shot at by "hurricane victims"?
That never actually happened.
According to what liberal rag?
I happen to be aquainted with a US Army helicopter pilot whose team might open your eyes (if that is possible).
He was there and was shot at while piloting a helicopter?
If so the DHS, FEMA the Air Force/Louisiana Air National Guard would probably like a word with him since they never confirmed one being shot at.
There were quite a number of things that were "not confirmed." The guy I talked to said that he and his team were fired at. I took his word for it because he was an individual who was there, not some bureaucrat in a DC office of an agency trying to push a political agenda.
Another guy I talked to said that he saw hundreds of blacks waiting in line to get into the Superdome before the storm hit. They had been advised to leave the area; they were told exactly where to go to get transportation out. They chose not to. They were then told that if they wanted to go into the Superdome, they would need to bring enough food and water to last three days. They chose not to. Few brought anything at all, except some who managed to bring their boomboxes along - the loud thumping drumbeat and garbage-mouthed chanting permeated the atmosphere.
Some guys at the front of the line had been there over night; they wanted to get in first so that they could get one of the luxury suites. The idiots thought they were going to a party, I suppose.
We know how things turned out, and what happened at the Superdome. Of course, it was all Bush's fault.0
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