🚀 go-pugleaf

>I'm not necessaily opposed to CCW; I'm just not convinced that it reduces
>crime. Violent crimes are often irrelevant decisions and I doubt that most
>criminals consider this fact when they go out to commit a crime, or think
>about it when they decide to commit one at the spur of the moment.

>I don't want people getting carry permits because they think its cool. It
>needs to be presented as a deadly serious responsibility.

>Most police officials that I have heard speak on this issue are opposed to
>CCW. Do you know something they don't?

The statistics have come out for the State of Florida.  They have been 
published in numerous places, including US News and World Report (about 2 
weeks ago).  Basically, Florida has been doing CCW for 4 years (that suprised 
me, because I thought that it was only one year).  After having issued over 
227,000 licenses, only 18 have been revoked.  This was done because the gun 
was present at the scene of the crime.  No one was shot.  Also, Floridas 
violent crime rate has been on a serious decline (23%), the national average 
has gone up 13%.  I have not seen stats on wether or not additional policemen 
have been added.  I will go out on a limb here and say that even if additional 
policemen (or policewomen) had been added, that would not be reasonible 
assumption for the reduced rate because they are adding them elsewhere in the 
country and it is not making much of a difference.  Floridas stats (which are 
too numerous to list, so I ask you to check out US N & WR at the library) 
basically state that CCW has been safe and effective.

As far as law enforcement goes, departments say one thing on television for 
PR, but the officer in the street usually says something different.  I would 
take the officer in the streets point of view.  Ones I have spoken with 
actually encourage rape victems to carry weapns on the grounds that if an 
officer can't be there, you have to do something.

Speaking of violent crimes, there was not one rape in Ft. Lauderdale for 46 
days after CCW went info effect.

Also, I do agree with you on one point.  Carrying a weapon is a serious 
responsibility.  I do not think that anyone should be allowed to carry one 
without knowing how to safely use it.  Also there needs to be a value placed 
on the license so that the bearer will think twice about loosing it.  As they 
say, hit 'em in the pocketbook.  I think someone will think a bit harder about 
the potential to loss of  a $150 license than a $5 one.




________________________________________________________________________
the micron
"there ain't no straight lines in 3 dimensional space"
my opinions are my own 2DEF4U2NV