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But are we truly a more violent and crime ridden Country than we were years ago? Has it all gone to hell? Is this Country a big, bad scary place?
In a word? No.
When many of us were young, before electronic media was so prevalent, our news came in three
ways - journalism, television and radio - and it wasn't a constant in our lives. Most of us listened to the radio in the morning, hearing the news along with sports, weather and music. At work, we worked! No laptops or cell phones. Newspapers had a morning edition and a Five Star Final evening edition. Then we went home for dinner before watching the 10:00 news and then Johnny Carson.Our news came from what we perceived to be trusted sources while images and video were self censored by the broadcast outlets.
Now? The perception of runaway crime explodes like projectile vomiting from a myriad of broadcast outlets, not the three or four we had long ago, and these outlets are forced to fill countless hours of empty air - and does so with an aggressive onslaught of crime riddled pictures, videos and voiced opinions - never mind the facts, just get the story out, speculate ad-nauseum, grab the ratings and fix any wrongs by backpedaling tomorrow.
But how do we quantify if crime is worse... or better?
In the statistics below - compiled by the Disaster Center using the FBI Crime Statistics page - you might be surprised to learn our current Murder Rate is not only at its lowest since 1960 - the beginning of the FBI Stat Page - but in fact is lower than any time dating back to 1957 and to be precise, would be lower than the rate in 1950!
All violent crime reached a relative high between 1980 and 1992 before tailing off. In the last 20+ years, violent crime has fallen better than 50%, leaving our Country a much safer, saner place than the main stream (and not so main stream) media would have you believe.
The murder rate reached a high of 10.2 per 100,000 in 1980 vs the current rate of 4.5 per 100,000 - again, lower that at anytime since 1957.
Rape climbed to a high of 42.8 per 100,000 in 1992 before falling to 25.2 per 100,000 in 2013, its lowest rate since 1973.
Aggravated Assault's high was also in 1992 - 441.8 - while it now sits at 229.1 per 100,000, lowest since 1974.
The total violent crime rate hit a high of 758.1 per 100,000 in 1992 and has now dropped to 367.9 per 100,000 - its lowest since 1970!
| Forcible | Aggravated | |||||
| Year | Population | Violent | Murder | Rape | assault | |
| 1960 | 179,323,175 | 160.9 | 5.1 | 9.6 | 86.1 | |
| 1961 | 182,992,000 | 158.1 | 4.8 | 9.4 | 85.7 | |
| 1962 | 185,771,000 | 162.3 | 4.6 | 9.4 | 88.6 | |
| 1963 | 188,483,000 | 168.2 | 4.6 | 9.4 | 92.4 | |
| 1964 | 191,141,000 | 190.6 | 4.9 | 11.2 | 106.2 | |
| 1965 | 193,526,000 | 200.2 | 5.1 | 12.1 | 111.3 | |
| 1966 | 195,576,000 | 220.0 | 5.6 | 13.2 | 120.3 | |
| 1967 | 197,457,000 | 253.2 | 6.2 | 14.0 | 130.2 | |
| 1968 | 199,399,000 | 298.4 | 6.9 | 15.9 | 143.8 | |
| 1969 | 201,385,000 | 328.7 | 7.3 | 18.5 | 154.5 | |
| Forcible | Aggravated | |||||
| Year | Population | Violent | Murder | Rape | assault | |
| 1970 | 203,235,298 | 363.5 | 7.9 | 18.7 | 164.8 | |
| 1971 | 206,212,000 | 396.0 | 8.6 | 20.5 | 178.8 | |
| 1972 | 208,230,000 | 401.0 | 9.0 | 22.5 | 188.8 | |
| 1973 | 209,851,000 | 417.4 | 9.4 | 24.5 | 200.5 | |
| 1974 | 211,392,000 | 461.1 | 9.8 | 26.2 | 215.8 | |
| 1975 | 213,124,000 | 487.8 | 9.6 | 26.3 | 231.1 | |
| 1976 | 214,659,000 | 467.8 | 8.7 | 26.6 | 233.2 | |
| 1977 | 216,332,000 | 475.9 | 8.8 | 29.4 | 247.0 | |
| 1978 | 218,059,000 | 497.8 | 9.0 | 31.0 | 262.1 | |
| 1979 | 220,099,000 | 548.9 | 9.8 | 34.7 | 286.0 | |
| Forcible | Aggravated | |||||
| Year | Population | Violent | Murder | Rape | assault | |
| 1980 | 225,349,264 | 596.6 | 10.2 | 36.8 | 298.5 | |
| 1981 | 229,146,000 | 594.3 | 9.8 | 36.0 | 289.7 | |
| 1982 | 231,534,000 | 571.1 | 9.1 | 34.0 | 289.1 | |
| 1983 | 233,981,000 | 537.7 | 8.3 | 33.7 | 279.2 | |
| 1984 | 236,158,000 | 539.2 | 7.9 | 35.7 | 290.2 | |
| 1985 | 238,740,000 | 556.6 | 8.0 | 37.1 | 302.9 | |
| 1986 | 240,132,887 | 620.1 | 8.6 | 38.1 | 347.4 | |
| 1987 | 243,400,000 | 609.7 | 8.3 | 37.4 | 351.3 | |
| 1988 | 245,807,000 | 637.2 | 8.4 | 37.6 | 370.2 | |
| 1989 | 248,239,000 | 663.1 | 8.7 | 38.1 | 383.4 | |
| Forcible | Aggravated | |||||
| Year | Population | Violent | Murder | Rape | assault | |
| 1990 | 248,709,873 | 731.8 | 9.4 | 41.2 | 424.1 | |
| 1991 | 252,177,000 | 758.1 | 9.8 | 42.3 | 433.3 | |
| 1992 | 255,082,000 | 757.5 | 9.3 | 42.8 | 441.8 | |
| 1993 | 257,908,000 | 746.8 | 9.5 | 41.1 | 440.3 | |
| 1994 | 260,341,000 | 713.6 | 9.0 | 39.3 | 427.6 | |
| 1995 | 262,755,000 | 684.5 | 8.2 | 37.1 | 418.3 | |
| 1996 | 265,284,000 | 636.6 | 7.4 | 36.3 | 390.9 | |
| 1997 | 267,637,000 | 611.0 | 6.8 | 35.9 | 382.1 | |
| 1998 | 270,296,000 | 566.4 | 6.3 | 34.4 | 360.5 | |
| 1999 | 272,690,813 | 523 | 5.7 | 32.8 | 334.3 | |
| Forcible | Aggravated | |||||
| Year | Population | Violent | Murder | Rape | assault | |
| 2000 | 281,421,906 | 506.5 | 5.5 | 32 | 324.0 | |
| 2001 | 285,317,559 | 504.5 | 5.6 | 31.8 | 318.6 | |
| 2002 | 287,973,924 | 494.4 | 5.6 | 33.1 | 309.5 | |
| 2003 | 290,690,788 | 475.8 | 5.7 | 32.3 | 295.4 | |
| 2004 | 293,656,842 | 463.2 | 5.5 | 32.4 | 288.6 | |
| 2005 | 296,507,061 | 469.0 | 5.6 | 31.8 | 290.8 | |
| 2006 | 299,398,484 | 473.6 | 5.7 | 30.9 | 287.5 | |
| 2007 | 301,621,157 | 466.9 | 5.6 | 30 | 283.8 | |
| 2008 | 304,374,846 | 457.5 | 5.4 | 29.7 | 276.7 | |
| 2009 | 307,006,550 | 431.9 | 5.0 | 29.1 | 264.7 | |
| Forcible | Aggravated | |||||
| Year | Population | Violent | Murder | Rape | assault | |
| 2010 | 309,330,219 | 404.5 | 4.8 | 27.7 | 252.8 | |
| 2011 | 311,587,816 | 387.1 | 4.7 | 27 | 241.5 | |
| 2012 | 313,873,685 | 387.8 | 4.7 | 27.1 | 242.8 | |
| 2013 | 316,128,839 | 367.9 | 4.5 | 25.2 | 229.1 |
These aren't numbers twisted by agenda riddled outlets looking for the advertising dollar. These are the raw statistics from the FBI.
In 1945, the Murder Rate was 3.84 per 100,000 (5831 Criminal Homicides / Population of 139.9 million) - the facts are, we just aren't that violent a country.
Our Country's murder rate puts us 111th out of 278 Countries in the world. Our gun murder rate is distorted terribly by the hi density, Democratically controlled cities of the USA - as can be seen below...
It's just not as bad as the media - both Liberal and Conservative alike - would have you believe. So I tell you, unless you are in Chiraq or one of the other large, hi density cities of this Country, enjoy yourself. Go for walks at night with your family. Go on vacations and see this great Country! Watch ballgames, see the sights and enjoy... enjoy... enjoy! All while carrying and staying in Condition Yellow, of course, and remember... the Media is not your friend, they are here to make money, nothing more, nothing less.
Stay Safe and Carry Responsibly
Hipshot
If you enjoyed this article, you might like my new book -Concealed Carry and the War on the Second Amendment, a collection from the New Gunner Journal - It is now available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you have any questions about Concealed Carry or are sitting on the fence, this would make a nice Christmas present to learn about the lifestyle and those who live it.
So, Drxxx, as people come into the church and you pat each of them down, the nutcase with a gun will just meekly stand in line? And when you arrive at the would-be psychopath killer, your telling me you believe he is just going to slump his shoulders and hand over his gun in defeat? Just like that?
Yeah, right.
One person had this response to a suggestion that Marines be allowed to carry a sidearm after the shootings in Chattanooga...
Sharon xxx
So, Sharron xxx, Marines are sitting at their desks, talking to other people, on the phones, drinking coffee, going about their workday.
Outside a maniac with a diseased mind makes his way across the parking lot, his brain foggy with its own mindless yammering, his pulse pounding in anticipation of this personal Great Thing he intends to do.
He walks up to the doors and without warning, open fires - Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! - and in a heartbeat, he realizes he's trying to shoot through bulletproof glass! So, instead of reaching out, opening the doors, walking in and continuing his onslaught, you believe he would hang his head, turn slowly and walk away in defeat.
Yeah, right.
After the Aurora theater shooting, Tom had this thought...
Tom
Anyone saying "if only someone was packing and had shot the guy" needs to realize that it'd be next to impossible for even a trained person to do that in a dark theater with a loud movie running, one that's full of tear gas and panicking people, with an assailant who's dressed in black and wearing body armor. Odds are they'd have easily hit some more bystanders instead, increasing the already horrific body count.
So, Tom, you and the Wife stroll on down to the local theater to catch the latest action flick. The movie is intense, interesting and is pleasantly holding your attention. About halfway through the movie, some loud shots go off, startling you - is it part of the movie? Then smoke, more loud bangs, people screaming.. what the hell? Others are running for the exits and before you completely comprehend the situation, the theater is in utter chaos.
About four rows in front of you stands a man in black, shooting slowly, with lethal intent, the surrounding tumult a stark contrast to his matter-of-fact, slow and steady approach to mass murder. You see people trying to escape, running, falling, some shot, some scrambling for safety, frantically climbing over others, bounding over rows of seats or crawling low across the concrete and carpet floor.
You both frantically crawl along the floor as gunshots explode and echo through the cavernous, darkened theater, mingling with screams of the frightened, flashes of gunpowder and the moans of the wounded.
You furtively glance up to the pandemonium that surrounds you. With shock and disbelief, you see the gunman turning his focus on you and your wife, his gun now extended towards you, his next target. You raise your hand to the gunman in a desperate and feeble last gasp at defending your wife and yourself, all the while thinking... This can't be happening!
Suddenly, just to the right, two rows down, you see a man crouched behind the row of seats at the end of the aisle.
He has a gun! He is ready to fire on the sociopath who is committing the mayhem, who is creating the havoc and fear, who has brought the devil with him to the movies. You cannot believe there is someone else carrying a gun! And just as the good guy with a gun draws a bead in an attempt to stop the maniac with a demon's voice wailing in his head, possibly saving your life, you scream - "Put the freaking gun away! You might hurt someone with that thing!"
Yeah, right.
Near my town, we've had two break-ins in a couple of weeks. 10:00 PM at night, a group of 4-5 men bursting in the door and quickly controlling those inside. Carreraxxxx had this response to a U.S. Marine who stated he thought he was capable of defending his family with a gun in the home.
Carreraxxxx
@kcrxxx -- I'm happy for you, and your false sense of security with your arsenal that can be used against you and your family.
Suddenly, there is an insane banging on the front door. The kids scream in reaction to the ear-splitting noise. The Wife jumps up, frantic, looking at you for guidance, not understanding whats going on as she gathers the children to her.
And now you realize, much to your chagrin, the front door has been violently breached and footsteps pound down the hall towards you.
Your home has been breached by thugs looking for valuables and who may or may not have violence on their minds.
Sitting on the table next to you is a book. On the floor is your bowling ball. On the footstool, without explanation, a gun appears. Which one do you reach for to protect your family?
Yeah, Right.
On guns in the hands of trained individuals in schools, Bridgett xxxx had this to say about children paying a price for maniacs in schools.
Bridgett xxxx
Bridgett xxx, you are a teachers assistant and it's a beautiful spring day. The sun is shining, big fluffy clouds fill the sky and the Kindergarten class you are helping with is happy, content and fun. The Children have just settled down onto the floor for story time, about to listen to their favorite "Clifford" book when in a heartbeat, all hell breaks loose.
Your training kicks in and as you rush to close the door a man appears before you. Disheveled, dirty, a crazy look in his eyes and with him he has a handgun and a rifle. Before you can react to the situation, he shoots you in the shoulder, your collarbone exploding, a mist of blood surrounds your head and you fall back to the floor, feeling as though someone has just hit you full force with a baseball bat!
You groan as he steps over you, not even looking at you as he enters the room. The children are screaming, terrified, their little eyes wide as you hear shouts of "Mommy! Help, Mommy!" Sobs and squeals cut through the air as you try to regain your feet, now realizing that you are wounded but not out of the fight.
The horror before you is relentlessly unfolding unless you can do something, anything! The demon in your room has turned his cold, dark eyes on the huddled mass of squirming, crying, terrified children. You are staggering to your feet when you see the Teacher, Gail, a friend of yours, reach behind her back and come out with a Glock 19 with 15 + 1 rounds of 9 mm for the bad guy.
Your fear is at its height, screaming at you and you shout... "Goddamn, it Gail! No! You might hurt someone!"
Yeah, right.
Bad guys will always have guns and they will do harm and that will never change. No gun laws can prevent it. Signs can't stop it. Wishful thinking can't make them go away. Fairy Dust is of no help.
Murder is already against the law, so why would more "feel good" gun laws stop the madness?
I'm all for a conversation about curbing violence. I don't know a single person who isn't - Liberal, Conservative or Libertarian. But the anti-gunners insistence that it's all the fault of the gun is surreal, stupid and Hoplophobic and counterproductive to solving the problem .
Don't be a victim. Don't let your Children be victims. Guns are not the enemy, violence and the people who commit it, are.
Stay Safe and Carry Responsibly
Hipshot
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