Opinion

Consider some facts on guns in Chicago

Posted April 30, 2018 1:00 am

In response to Mr. Moffett's letter regarding gun laws, let me respond with the following.

As per a Chicago Tribune article in October 2017, Chicago does not have the strictest gun laws in the country. Ten years ago this was true, but since then, laws have changed - remember the passage of the concealed law in 2013. Now, New York City has the toughest and their homicide rate is at a historic low. Los Angeles as well has a homicide rate that pales besides Chicago.

As for murders in adjoining states, according to the FBI (2015 Stats, latest available) the 30 cities with the highest rates were, St. Louis No. 1, Milwaukee No. 10, Chicago No. 25, Indianapolis No. 28 and South Bend No. 29. So, apparently neighboring states have high homicide rates as well.

In November, The Washington Post ran a report on where the guns recovered in Chicago came from. Forty percent came from Chicago, 21 percent came from Indiana, and 4 percent came from Wisconsin.

There are also many reasons why guns come across state lines, from the user going to buy it and then returning to use it or the buyer reselling at a profit from Indiana/Wisconsin to Chicago.

I hope this helps one to recognize and refute false narratives pushed by the current administration and its backers and publicity machines.

William Raymond

Wheaton

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