Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why

satellite66 · 03-27-2005, 05:18 AM

Don't hold your breath to see this story on the evening news or your local paper.

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Maine rates low in violent gun crimes

By DAVID HENCH, Portland Press Herald Writer

Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

Maine has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the country, but when it comes to violent crime, those guns are seldom put to use.

Figures published this week by the Muskie Institute show that guns were involved in 92 of the 1,067 murders, robberies and aggravated assaults recorded by the state in 2003. That means just 8.6 percent of violent crimes involved firearms in Maine, the lowest rate for any state in the country.

Gun control opponents say Maine is a clear example that the availability of guns does not lead to more crime.

"The problem isn't the firearm. The problem lies in the criminal element," said John Hohenwater, a state liaison with the National Rifle Association. "How do you stop criminals from being criminals?"

Gun control supporters say the statistics don't capture the type of gun violence more prevalent in Maine.

"We have a very different version of gun violence than most of the larger states. We don't have drive-bys and drug wars among gangs," said William Harwood, a founder of Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence. If suicide and criminal threatening by abusive partners are included, the numbers are less encouraging, he said.

"We lose 100 citizens every year in Maine to gun violence. That is very close to the national average of how many people die of gun violence across the country," he said.

In 2003, only North Dakota and Vermont recorded fewer than 92 violent crimes involving guns. Maine's 8.6 percent rate was one-third the national average and far below states like Mississippi and Georgia, where guns were used in 41 percent and 39 percent of violent crimes, according to numbers compiled by the Muskie Institute's Maine Statistical Analysis Center.

U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby offered two possible factors contributing to the state's low rate of gun violence.

"We don't have the density of population. As a result of that you don't have anonymity," she said. She also said that Maine is at the end point in the drug distribution chain and so doesn't tend to have rival drug distribution groups competing violently for market share.

Of the state's gun crimes in 2003, 64 percent were committed with a handgun and 42 percent involved drugs or alcohol.

The comparative statistics do not include suicide as a gun-related violent crime; suicide accounted for 91 gun-related deaths in Maine between 2000 and 2002.

Gun control supporters cited the relationship between guns and suicide when lobbying this year for new restrictions on young people buying guns. They failed to win support for a 10-day waiting period for gun buyers under 21 but did get committee support for requiring people under 18 to get their parents' permission before buying a gun.

Maine's low rate of gun crime might be related to relatively low levels of crimes that are linked in other states to a high number of shootings.

"Overall, violent crime is on the way down, yet in those cities that have experienced real firearm-related violence, what has gone up has been drastic changes in the use of drugs - methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine," said Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion.

Federal budget reductions that could cut the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency need to be re-examined, he said.

"That might in fact be opening the door to future gun violence," Dion said. "Addicts may make incredibly poor choices about acquiring money and the quickest way of acquiring that money may be at the barrel of a gun or the point of a knife and that's when you may get some of that sporadic, mindless violence."

rjjrwi · 03-27-2005, 08:55 AM

very interesting , could your post a link to the story ?
I would like to post this on a local forum in my area but they don't allow C&P you have to post a link to the story

Neil · 03-27-2005, 09:31 AM

not that I dout your post at all I would just also like to read the article. This is Great "an armed society is a polite society" really is true.

Marlin · 03-27-2005, 12:57 PM

Here is the link directly to the article:

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/ne...0326guns.shtml

rjjrwi · 03-27-2005, 01:51 PM

thanks

satellite66 · 03-27-2005, 04:00 PM

Sorry thought I posted the link. It was early this morning before work when I posted it.

rosierita · 03-28-2005, 08:51 AM

thanks for the post satellite!

pickenup · 03-28-2005, 03:51 PM

Good ammo for our side.
Thanks.

BlkHawk73 · 03-28-2005, 04:59 PM

This may or may not make the TV news up here. Not much goes on so on a slow day, a cat stuck in a tree is news. However, with a fairly large Democrap population (all the yuppies M@$$holes coming up) it'll get covered up if they can. They have Portland police Chitwood (media mike) spout off about how dangerous guns are and about gangs and crime but only suggest to ban the guns and not doing anything about the perps. Still too many gun owners that are voting and have thier voices heard to have any negative rules put into place. thankfully, we're still one of the "good" states.

03-27-2005, 05:18 AM	#1
satellite66 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Central NJ Posts: 2,068	Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why Don't hold your breath to see this story on the evening news or your local paper. Saturday, March 26, 2005 Maine rates low in violent gun crimes By DAVID HENCH, Portland Press Herald Writer Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. Maine has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the country, but when it comes to violent crime, those guns are seldom put to use. Figures published this week by the Muskie Institute show that guns were involved in 92 of the 1,067 murders, robberies and aggravated assaults recorded by the state in 2003. That means just 8.6 percent of violent crimes involved firearms in Maine, the lowest rate for any state in the country. Gun control opponents say Maine is a clear example that the availability of guns does not lead to more crime. "The problem isn't the firearm. The problem lies in the criminal element," said John Hohenwater, a state liaison with the National Rifle Association. "How do you stop criminals from being criminals?" Gun control supporters say the statistics don't capture the type of gun violence more prevalent in Maine. "We have a very different version of gun violence than most of the larger states. We don't have drive-bys and drug wars among gangs," said William Harwood, a founder of Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence. If suicide and criminal threatening by abusive partners are included, the numbers are less encouraging, he said. "We lose 100 citizens every year in Maine to gun violence. That is very close to the national average of how many people die of gun violence across the country," he said. In 2003, only North Dakota and Vermont recorded fewer than 92 violent crimes involving guns. Maine's 8.6 percent rate was one-third the national average and far below states like Mississippi and Georgia, where guns were used in 41 percent and 39 percent of violent crimes, according to numbers compiled by the Muskie Institute's Maine Statistical Analysis Center. U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby offered two possible factors contributing to the state's low rate of gun violence. "We don't have the density of population. As a result of that you don't have anonymity," she said. She also said that Maine is at the end point in the drug distribution chain and so doesn't tend to have rival drug distribution groups competing violently for market share. Of the state's gun crimes in 2003, 64 percent were committed with a handgun and 42 percent involved drugs or alcohol. The comparative statistics do not include suicide as a gun-related violent crime; suicide accounted for 91 gun-related deaths in Maine between 2000 and 2002. Gun control supporters cited the relationship between guns and suicide when lobbying this year for new restrictions on young people buying guns. They failed to win support for a 10-day waiting period for gun buyers under 21 but did get committee support for requiring people under 18 to get their parents' permission before buying a gun. Maine's low rate of gun crime might be related to relatively low levels of crimes that are linked in other states to a high number of shootings. "Overall, violent crime is on the way down, yet in those cities that have experienced real firearm-related violence, what has gone up has been drastic changes in the use of drugs - methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine," said Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion. Federal budget reductions that could cut the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency need to be re-examined, he said. "That might in fact be opening the door to future gun violence," Dion said. "Addicts may make incredibly poor choices about acquiring money and the quickest way of acquiring that money may be at the barrel of a gun or the point of a knife and that's when you may get some of that sporadic, mindless violence." __________________ “Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not” — Thomas Jefferson. "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948 -->

03-27-2005, 08:55 AM	#2
rjjrwi V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: western Wi Posts: 217	Re: Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why very interesting , could your post a link to the story ? I would like to post this on a local forum in my area but they don't allow C&P you have to post a link to the story

03-27-2005, 09:31 AM	#3
Neil Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stanwood washington Posts: 678	Re: Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why not that I dout your post at all I would just also like to read the article. This is Great "an armed society is a polite society" really is true. __________________ God Bless America, This Great Land we call HOME.

03-27-2005, 12:57 PM	#4
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why Here is the link directly to the article: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/ne...0326guns.shtml __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

03-27-2005, 01:51 PM	#5
rjjrwi V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: western Wi Posts: 217	Re: Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why thanks

03-27-2005, 04:00 PM	#6
satellite66 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Central NJ Posts: 2,068	Re: Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why Sorry thought I posted the link. It was early this morning before work when I posted it. __________________ “Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not” — Thomas Jefferson. "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

03-28-2005, 08:51 AM	#7
rosierita Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 5,218	Re: Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why thanks for the post satellite! __________________

03-28-2005, 03:51 PM	#8
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,837	Re: Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why Good ammo for our side. Thanks. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

03-28-2005, 04:59 PM	#9
BlkHawk73 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 292	Re: Maine Rates Low in Gun Crime See Why This may or may not make the TV news up here. Not much goes on so on a slow day, a cat stuck in a tree is news. However, with a fairly large Democrap population (all the yuppies M@$$holes coming up) it'll get covered up if they can. They have Portland police Chitwood (media mike) spout off about how dangerous guns are and about gangs and crime but only suggest to ban the guns and not doing anything about the perps. Still too many gun owners that are voting and have thier voices heard to have any negative rules put into place. thankfully, we're still one of the "good" states.