stolen guns

[marcinstl]

http://kplr11.com/2015/04/02/stolen-guns-on-the-rise-in-st-louis/

There are a total of 126 guns that have been reported stolen in the City of St. Louis so far this year. Another nine guns have been reported lost. That is a 55 percent increase from the numbers during the same time period last year. Another 410 guns have been seized by police. Most of these guns are bought by law abiding citizens, and then stolen from their homes or cars.
Chief Sam Dotson has been out spoken about keeping guns out of the hands of criminals. He has said state lawmakers need to do a better job of balancing the right to bear arms with public safety. The chief also says people who are found with stolen guns need to be behind bars for longer sentences."

there's a few points in here that maybe the NRA and pro-gun activists could help with, nation wide call for enforcement of laws already on the books, longer sentences and no plea deals with prosecutors and judges. pro-gun folks really need to get in the lead on this. gangsters, felons, crazy people, get no 2nd amendment rights, good guys only.

[muggsy]

I'd be a little worried about the crazy part. I might fall into that category. Who gets to decide who's too crazy to own a gun. There are unintended consequences in almost every well intentioned law. Be careful of what you wish for, you might just get it.

[Armybrat]

There are certainly some insane people who are easy to identify - their behavior records in school, with the police, etc. - and need to be barred from firearms access. Even with the help of psychiatrists, a number will slip through the cracks.

Violent felons too.

However, nonviolent felons who have successfully reentered society after paying their legal debts and have proven themselves to be stable, productive citizens should be able to regain their Constitutional rights.

[TheTman]

Who determines if you are "crazy"? If you had a tragedy in your life and got put on anti-depressants, will you get labeled as crazy? Chemotherapy drugs can really play a number on your mind, so if you've had to do chemo, will you be put on the crazy list? Some agencies in our administration think Christians are crazy or potential terrorists.

That could be a big can of worms if that was opened. I'd say if you've been confined by the courts to an psychiatric facility, or have a history of violent outbursts, then you should qualify. I believe they are already using the "crazy" card to deny some veterans of their 2nd amendment rights, due to PTSD. Maybe some shouldn't have guns, but I think it's being applied rather loosely. Like if you were in Iraq or Afghanistan, but was in a support position and never saw combat, they still might label you PTSD if you have trouble adjusting to civilian life.

I just hate to see another means of taking guns away from people, due to temporary circumstances, or labeling groups as "crazies".

[muggsy]

There are certainly some insane people who are easy to identify - their behavior records in school, with the police, etc. - and need to be barred from firearms access. Even with the help of psychiatrists, a number will slip through the cracks.

Don't worry, Armybrat. I'm keeping a very close eye on Bawanna. So far he poses no real threat. :)

[muggsy]

The gun industry is one of the most heavily regulated business in the world. Believe it or not, gun violence has been steadily falling and is at the lowest level that it has been at since the early 1960'. We don't need anymore gun regulations. What we need is the rigid enforcement of the current regulations. Anyone who believes otherwise doesn't deserve the right to own a gun and won't, if they keep pushing for more regulations. It's already happened in Great Britain and Australia.

[SlowBurn]

Laws against felons with firearms and crazies with firearms are ok, but largely unenforceable. Felons don't care. Moms can buy guns for their crazy sons, etc.

I think if somebody bothered to actually study the issue, the biggest legal contributor to "gun violence" would turn out to be public gun free zones. Malls, college campi, movie theaters.... If we really want a law that actually increases public safety and reduces crime and violence, make it illegal to prohibit concealed carry in any place open to the public, unless the establishment contols access and institutes real screening and certified security to everyone coming in and out as they do in airports and courthouses.

Pending laws in Florida and elsewhere that allow concealed carry on campuses are a good start.

[marcinstl]

Who determines if you are "crazy"? If you had a tragedy in your life and got put on anti-depressants, will you get labeled as crazy? Chemotherapy drugs can really play a number on your mind, so if you've had to do chemo, will you be put on the crazy list? Some agencies in our administration think Christians are crazy or potential terrorists.

That could be a big can of worms if that was opened. I'd say if you've been confined by the courts to an psychiatric facility, or have a history of violent outbursts, then you should qualify. I believe they are already using the "crazy" card to deny some veterans of their 2nd amendment rights, due to PTSD. Maybe some shouldn't have guns, but I think it's being applied rather loosely. Like if you were in Iraq or Afghanistan, but was in a support position and never saw combat, they still might label you PTSD if you have trouble adjusting to civilian life.

I just hate to see another means of taking guns away from people, due to temporary circumstances, or labeling groups as "crazies".

yes, don't overthink or worry about "crazy" people or how they are determined to be crazy. when they come thru your front door, your wife with revolver in hand will take care of the problem. love a woman that can ride and shoot.

(Muggsy, go to the doc, get help. the ice baths and electro shok ain't that bad. get well soon.)

[b4uqzme]

My takeaway from this: not to make it too easy to steal my guns ...to safeguard my guns thereby doing my part to ensure they do not make it into criminal hands.

[downtownv]

In the great State of New Jermany, 95% of the illegal gun charges get dismissed and the perp pleads guilty on more serious charges. Stupid to have "Strict" gun laws when all they do is to punish the law abider and not be used against the BG.

[Armybrat]

The gun industry is one of the most heavily regulated business in the world. Believe it or not, gun violence has been steadily falling and is at the lowest level that it has been at since the early 1960'. We don't need anymore gun regulations. What we need is the rigid enforcement of the current regulations. Anyone you believes otherwise doesn't deserve the right to own a gun and won't, if they keep pushing for more regulations. It's already happened in Great Britain and Australia.
You are correct.

[Longitude Zero]

What we need is the rigid enforcement of the current regulations. Anyone you believes otherwise doesn't deserve the right to own a gun and won't, if they keep pushing for more regulations. It's already happened in Great Britain and Australia.

Overall Part 1 and Part 2 crimes have been in a decades long decrease. Google the terms as I have no desire to explain that which can be easily researched. Even the gun industry has been LYING to us to increase gun and ammo sales. If you ask industry reps they will tell you crime is up THEY ARE LYING TO SELL PRODUCT!!! Certain crimes might be slightly up in certain areas but the trend is downward. The MEDIA LIES and makes the ignorant/uninformed folks get up in arms. Chill the hell out!!!

[marcinstl]

"What we need is the rigid enforcement of the current regulations."
that agrees with what the STL police chief said. the problem is when it gets to the courts.
how many people openly admit to voting no for every judge on the list? could be a good reason for that.

[muggsy]

Laws don't reduce crime. Laws don't reduce gun violence. Laws are broken every day by the criminal element in society. We are supposed to be living in a free society. With freedom comes responsibility and risks. That's just the way it is. The law abiding do not need any more restriction placed upon them. Criminals need swift sure justice and incarceration.

[Longitude Zero]

Criminals need swift sure justice and incarceration.

Totally agree and so do the majority of citizens. Sadly it is the vocal minority of citizens screaming about how downtrodden the poor pitiful criminals are. well too bad. Criminals need the jack booted, no nonsense law enforcement crushing down on them and their sympathizers.