by Gerard Valentino
The Dayton Daily News is reporting that preliminary FBI statistics show violent crime has decreased in Ohio for the third straight year. Yes, that’s right – crime decreased in spite of predictions by the establishment media, politically-motivated law enforcement groups and anti-gun extremists, who claimed that permissive self-defense laws would lead to the end of civilization as we know it.
Preliminary data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report shows that the violent crime rate went down 5.5 percent in 2009, compared to statistics from 2008. This covers all four categories of violent crime: murder, robbery, aggravated assault and forcible rape. Violent crime went down 4 percent in metropolitan counties and 3 percent elsewhere, according to the FBI.
At the same time, the agency’s National Instant Check System reports continued increases in the number of background check requests and the National Shooting Sports Foundation has reported increased federal firearms excise tax allocations to state wildlife agencies, an indication that more guns and ammunition are being purchased.
Less than two weeks ago, both the DDN and Cleveland Plain Dealer editorialized against current proposed concealed carry reform legislation, with predictions to the effect that if restaurant carry becomes law, it will mean “gunageddon” for Ohio.
Yet, here we are with a decrease in violent crime despite more guns on the streets than ever before. The question, once again, is will the establishment media outlets that promised more guns would equal more crime finally admit they are wrong on guns, and have been for years?