Minnesota Follows a National Trend

For some frustrating reason, I could not get the video that accompanied this to load for this post, and could not find at all the longer version of the television interview that played on the midday news.   It elaborated on the statistics, including a statement from Minneapolis Mayor Rybak, stating:

"Whenever there is a shooting, the first question I ask is where did the gun come from?  We can't always answer that at the moment, but it IS the key to a lot of these issues.  When those three homicides happened in a row  [summer 2011] involving young kids in North Minneapolis, my biggest question's who's arming our kids?"

In addition to the Mayor's statement, the interview touched on actions by the city of Minneapolis in conjunction with the police department that were effective in reducing crime and removing guns from the hands of criminals and other prohibited persons.


None of the solutions which worked to reduce Minneapolis violent crime included more guns or more people engaging in either open or concealed carrying of firearms.
The answer to that question would appear to be people who don't keep their guns secured, like those who are not in control of their accessible weapons while they sleep. If they are routinely that casual about firearm security every night, they are likely just as sloppy and stupid about gun security the rest of the time.
But of course, just as some of the worst drivers insist they are great drivers, some of the least responsible gun carriers will swear up and down that THEY are safe, and we should trust them.
The evidence from incidents like these shows the contrary.
From KSTP News:
Updated: 01/06/2012 12:42 PM
Created: 01/06/2012 12:20 PM KSTP.com By: Colleen Mahoney

Minneapolis Officials: Violent Crime Hits 28 Year Low

The City of Minneapolis released crime statistics for 2011, Friday.
The city says violent crime is down 6.3 percent, compared to 2010.
The number of violent crimes committed in 2011 was lower than any year since 1983, for a 28-year low, according to the city.
Property crimes, which includes burglaries, larceny, arson, and auto theft, was up by 6.67 percent.
The number of homicides in 2011 were 32, down from 2010.
City leaders acknowledge that the death of 3 year old Terrel Mayes, hit by a stray bullet inside his North Minneapolis home in December, show that more work needs to be done.
The focus for 2012 will be on youth violence, and getting guns off the street.
Police took 515 guns of the streets, last year.