tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post6090897930393021139..comments2024-02-05T03:41:13.688+01:00Comments on Mikeb302000: When Mass. Criminals Want A Gun, They Often Head NorthAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-67607853453180191942014-03-03T17:35:44.406+01:002014-03-03T17:35:44.406+01:00As TS said, I'm not saying that the safe stora...As TS said, I'm not saying that the safe storage laws caused an increase in thefts. I'm pointing out that they failed to stop theft as you claim that they would do here and abroad. It's not the laws that cause theft--they just change the landscape. The market forces--in this case the black market's market forces--drive the acquisition of guns, and the new landscape has merely switched up which is the easiest way to acquire the guns. They can't buy them as easily, so it becomes more profitable to steal them or smuggle them, and so those activities increase.<br /><br />If the safes were suddenly impossible to crack (good luck achieving that) theft would drop and smuggling would skyrocket--not due to any law, but due to enterprising criminals trying to satisfy the black market any way they can.Simon J.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-43433088137072125242014-03-03T00:31:00.006+01:002014-03-03T00:31:00.006+01:00Mikeb, take parallel cases: Prohibition and the W...Mikeb, take parallel cases: Prohibition and the War on Drugs. It may be that those two efforts kept some people from acquiring the desired substance, but millions managed to get what they wanted--and still do, in the case of drugs. But what also happened is that both policies increased the level of violence without achieving the stated goals or even coming close to doing so.<br /><br />The fact is that the harder you try to get rid of something through coercision, the more people will seek that thing. And the more dangerous our society will be. Why not work instead on reducing violence and improving opportunity? And yes, those things are mutually exclusive. Prohibition efforts make people reject anything that isn't a law and order approach.Greg Camphttp://gregorycamp.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-47950780760194005582014-03-02T20:37:29.686+01:002014-03-02T20:37:29.686+01:00And what are you saying, so long as it is the law,...And what are you saying, so long as it is the law, no one's rights are violated? So when Russian authorities fine homosexuals for acting gay in public, that's not violating their rights anymore than getting a parking ticket?TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-67319069762473660822014-03-02T20:32:40.480+01:002014-03-02T20:32:40.480+01:00I don't think Simon is claiming it to be causa...I don't think Simon is claiming it to be causational, and neither am I. But it is a defeatable deterrent. What you are not recognizing is that when the demand is there, thieves will just try harder. They'll come prepared, they'll learn the skills they need, etc., especially as the black market price rises. Humans are smart.<br /><br />Do you think building a fence across the boarder will slow down illegal immigration?TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-63221194068929614682014-03-02T17:47:02.936+01:002014-03-02T17:47:02.936+01:00A ticket? Is that all you get for not meeting the...A ticket? Is that all you get for not meeting the seat belt requirement? How about if you get arrested, thrown in jail, lose your driver's license for life, and have all your cars confiscated and destroyed? Would that be a violation of your rights?TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-5412885837312937452014-03-02T16:24:55.835+01:002014-03-02T16:24:55.835+01:00If it's the law that you must secure your guns...If it's the law that you must secure your guns properly and you fail to do that, it's not "my requirements." It's the law. And when people violate the law, they are liable to be charged with that. And that's not violating their rights any more than your being required to wear a seat belt is. When a cop tickets you for failure to comply, are your rights violated?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-54361921031662383392014-03-02T15:52:04.903+01:002014-03-02T15:52:04.903+01:00Have it your way, Simon. When people lock their g...Have it your way, Simon. When people lock their guns up in safes, theft goes up. That makes perfect sense, especially since the DATA proves it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-82279625866303198592014-03-01T17:37:53.904+01:002014-03-01T17:37:53.904+01:00Another good point, TS.Another good point, TS.Kurt '45superman' Hofmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14091930034162667742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-77514229254995060742014-03-01T17:32:56.165+01:002014-03-01T17:32:56.165+01:00Kurt, and since we are talking about a black marke...Kurt, and since we are talking about a black market in this case, collectivist command economies only serve to strengthen the black market.TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-53934603688331923102014-03-01T17:30:06.316+01:002014-03-01T17:30:06.316+01:00When someone is arrested or has all their guns con...When someone is arrested or has all their guns confiscated because they didn't meet you requirements- that violates their rights.<br /><br />Did you see how that Australian report shows that people were prosecuted after reporting their guns stolen?TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-12143860758506938712014-03-01T15:34:14.122+01:002014-03-01T15:34:14.122+01:00The data makes no sense at all? Only if you refus...The data makes no sense at all? Only if you refuse to acknowledge any data that contradicts your position. We predicted this result--we predicted mechanisms by which it might happen, and then I stumbled across this report on accident while trying to determine the percentage of compliance with the Australian gun ban.<br /><br />But go on and stick your head in the sand--it wouldn't be the first time you ignored facts that didn't fit your paradigm.Simon J.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-63955743744707223322014-03-01T11:42:19.530+01:002014-03-01T11:42:19.530+01:00Requiring you to lock up your guns at home and req...Requiring you to lock up your guns at home and requiring you to have a background check done on anyone you sell a gun to does not constitute violating your rights. These are minor inconveniences which would result in many lives saved.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-70682359866115427212014-03-01T11:40:37.680+01:002014-03-01T11:40:37.680+01:00Listen, when the so-called data shows something th...Listen, when the so-called data shows something that makes no sense at all, you have to question whether the data is accurate. When most people begin complying with the law that says you have to lock up your guns instead of continuing to leave them under the pillow or in the night.stand drawer and someone comes up with a report that says the result is theft has gone up, to me it seems something is wrong with that report.<br /><br />Of course you guys latch onto something like that because it supports your bizarre and harmful demands for as lax gun laws as possible.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-50924605131981048132014-03-01T03:47:31.313+01:002014-03-01T03:47:31.313+01:00TS, that's a pretty concise explanation of why...TS, that's a pretty concise explanation of why there's so much overlap between opponents of private gun ownership and opponents of the free enterprise system.<br /><br />Gun rights and capitalism are mutually supportive, as are "gun control" and collectivist command economy regimes.Kurt '45superman' Hofmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14091930034162667742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-53286728351399276572014-03-01T03:39:42.186+01:002014-03-01T03:39:42.186+01:00Yep, simple supply and demand. Mike says we need ...Yep, simple supply and demand. Mike says we need to make it harder for thieves to steal guns. He admits it won’t <i>stop</i> thefts- just make it harder. This means one of two things will happen: they either give the same amount of effort and acquire fewer guns, or they work harder and acquire the same amount. Of course the problem is when the former happens enough to drop the supply level below the demand, guess what happens to the black market price for guns. And when that goes up, guess what happens to the effort thieves put in to their trade. Market balance prevents your goal for being obtainable, Mike. It’s impossible.TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-47964578615865270572014-02-28T23:24:22.826+01:002014-02-28T23:24:22.826+01:00Wow, it's almost as if we were correct that ev...Wow, it's almost as if we were correct that even if you cut off the ability of criminals to buy guns they'll just turn to smuggling and stealing to satisfy the same demand for guns...Simon J.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-19745018226698651642014-02-28T19:06:53.080+01:002014-02-28T19:06:53.080+01:00Oops, it looks like firearm thefts in Australia ha...Oops, it looks like firearm thefts in Australia have been increasing, Mike.<br /><br /><i>The number of firearms reported stolen in Australia (excluding Western Australia) has risen by six percent each year since 2004–05.</i><br /><br />http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/mr/1-20/16/02_execsummary.html<br />TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-66269382403216975662014-02-28T18:56:02.731+01:002014-02-28T18:56:02.731+01:00Do you have any evidence that 250,000+ crime guns ...Do you have any evidence that 250,000+ crime guns are seized per year by law enforcement (the number that so say would still be stolen under your plan)? That seems like a lot. But you still didn’t answer my question. Right now the criminal market for guns is saturated. They have more than they need to do their ills. So even if you managed to have a net reduction of flow into the criminal world, at what point would gun availability actually start becoming a problem for them? And of course all this is not addressing substitution of other weapons, and the effect on lawful gun ownership for self-defense. <br /><br />Now about Australia. Do you have any evidence that theft rates are down? And would you care to comment about my point that people may not want to report the theft if they might get arrested? That’s a huge problem, which I have mentioned here probably dozens of times and that you don’t seem to have an answer for.<br />TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-36519311570178066302014-02-28T17:23:56.911+01:002014-02-28T17:23:56.911+01:00Mike,
That's Australian Government data on wh...Mike,<br /><br />That's Australian Government data on what's happening there, not something I've made up. Your statement that I've negated my point by admitting safes make it harder for criminals is ludicrous oversimplification. Learning to open the safe takes time and effort and may slow down a criminal the first time they encounter such a hurdle, but because there's probably several guns in the safe, it's worth their time to learn to crack it, and then no other safes are an impediment to them.Simon J.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-41707924984215644492014-02-28T12:32:18.769+01:002014-02-28T12:32:18.769+01:00Mikeb, you have no means of reducing gun availabil...Mikeb, you have no means of reducing gun availability that won't also violate the rights of millions of Americans who aren't a problem.Greg Camphttp://gregorycamp.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-89281129816708708212014-02-28T12:31:34.416+01:002014-02-28T12:31:34.416+01:00A little common sense and honesty? Mikeb, when th...A little common sense and honesty? Mikeb, when the data show that you are wrong, you should be honest enough to admit that.Greg Camphttp://gregorycamp.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-42727396494749326082014-02-28T08:39:20.975+01:002014-02-28T08:39:20.975+01:00Yes, there are other factors, but you cannot overl...Yes, there are other factors, but you cannot overlook the one called gun availability to unfit people. That's what you guys keep trying to do. You want to focus on everything but the guns. We, on the other hand, recognize there are other factors, about which much is being done, but we also realize that gun availability needs to be addressed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-2330576629139245192014-02-28T08:36:15.514+01:002014-02-28T08:36:15.514+01:00Simon, you yourself said a safe makes it harder fo...Simon, you yourself said a safe makes it harder for criminals. So your preceding paragraph is total bullshit about what's supposedly happening in Australia. A little common sense and honesty is all it takes, not necessarily more data.<br /><br />TS, the majority of guns stolen in Australia come from safes for the obvious reason that the Aussies aren't keeping their guns under the pillow any more. Most people comply with the laws about safe storage, therefor most theft necessarily comes from safes. Do you think there'd be LESS theft if not for those safe storage laws?<br /><br />The US criminal world is awash in guns, yes, but there is a constant attrition happening. In every city in the country guns are being taken by the police, thousands, hundreds of thousands. These are being replaced by a continual flow from the law abiding gun owners through theft and straw purchasing. So, clearly, stricter laws which would diminish that flow would have an almost immediate effect.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09806175370305006933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-48268425744595418882014-02-27T18:11:53.762+01:002014-02-27T18:11:53.762+01:00The other thing you have to realize is that the US...The other thing you have to realize is that the USA is awash in guns. Don’t we keep hearing that from you? When you say a reduction in crime guns would immediately impact violence, you are making the assumption that the criminal underworld is currently limited by their access to guns. In other words, they desire to commit more crime and murder, but just can’t get their hands on enough guns here in the USA. I don’t think you believe that. So with the criminal world saturated with guns, how much reduction in thefts would we actually need to see before criminals have a hard time committing crimes because they just can’t find a gun?TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314891743204395487.post-23763289878018820772014-02-27T18:00:52.499+01:002014-02-27T18:00:52.499+01:00Australia actually has anti-theft safe storage law...<br />Australia actually has anti-theft safe storage laws (something that doesn’t exist anywhere in the USA), and we see that still the majority of stolen guns met those requirements. So I don’t know how you jump to conclusions about how well it would work with such a bad statistic for your cause. We don’t know what percentage of Australians are complying with the law, we only know compliance after it was stolen. But it looks real bad for your case that thieves are skipping the safely stored ones and moving onto easier scores when the safely stored ones are the <b>majority</b>. They’re chart shows some trends that aren’t going down, but I believe the requirements were in place long before that. I’d like to see if thefts changed at all, and if we see that thieves adapted over time. If everyone has a safe, then we see more prepared thieves- and worst of all an increase in violent thefts (where instead of cracking a safe, the thief takes the route of violence to get the owner to open the safe).<br /><br />But look at another figure in this table. The amount of gun owners prosecuted for having their guns stolen under their storage laws. Do you think that would cause some people to <b>not</b> call the police after a burglary? Can you agree with that?<br />TShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04667036856347626234noreply@blogger.com