Why is there so much “gun violence” in states and cities with America’s “toughest” gun laws (e.g. Chicago)? Because nearby states don’t have tough enough guns laws! That’s the excuse proffered by gun control advocates. It’s nonsense. You know it. I know it. The anti-gunners probably know it too. But there it is. And the gun-averse media swallows it hook, line and sinker (e.g. bostonglobe.com‘s story Gun-related crimes on the rise in Massachusetts, Firearms flowing across borders). As we’ve said countless times, the facts don’t support gun control. The “argument” over the source of illegal firearms is no different. And now we have [more] proof . . .
A new report shows Vermont was not a major source of guns used in crimes in other states last year.
Political leaders in northeast states have raised concerns that Vermont’s lax gun laws have fueled a guns-for-drugs trade that is putting more guns in the hands of criminals in cities like Boston and New York.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traces guns seized from criminals and in 2013 there were 1,571 guns recovered in Massachusetts. Of those guns, 29 came from Vermont– far fewer than other states. Massachusetts was the largest single source of guns recovered there with 431. Another 121 guns came from New Hampshire and 91 came from Maine.
The report also shows that of the 8,500 guns recovered in New York, only 61 came from Vermont.
Click here for the ATF stats from which this wcax.com story was drawn. Meanwhile, let’s review the key fact: the Massachusetts “crime guns” traced by the ATF came from Massachusetts, self-proclaimed home of “America’s toughest gun laws.” Executive summary: gun control doesn’t work.
But you knew that. And now you can prove it to receptive nay-sayers (should you encounter any). Again. Still. Oh, and what of