Chasing Headlines On Gun Policy

Another mass shooting prompts another call for gun control legislation that has little to do with the recent attack, is unlikely to accomplish much, and is driven by headlines rather than the real problem of gun violence. So, business as usual.

The "Let's Do Something" crowd:

Democrats Plan to Pursue Most Aggressive Gun-Control Legislation in Decades

Focus spurred by an incoming class of lawmakers with ‘F’ NRA ratings who campaigned on the issue

The Dems may have the votes to push something through the House and good for them. The Senate will be a tougher row to hoe and with five conservative justices, a dramatic new understanding of the 5-4 Heller decision on self-defense is not likely (obviously, with Merrick Garland there Heller would be re-interpreted into meaninglessness by five liberals).

Jacob Sullum of Reason points out that the mass shooter in California bought a handgun legally (he may have used an illegal yet widely available extended magazine). He also was a candidate for a Gun Violence Restraining Order, but the CA authorities did not pursue that.

As to chasing headlines - per the Gun Violence archive's expansive definition of "mass shooting", there have been 328 mass shooting deaths in 2018 (Their database can be downloaded and summed.) If I am following, the WaPo applies a more restrictive definition to the same database and totals 68 mass shooting deaths in 2018.

Either way, that is set against over 12,000 gun deaths (other than suicide) in 2018. Mass shootings drive headlines but they are less than 3% of gun deaths, even with the expansive count; per the WaPo criteria, they are 0.6% of gun deaths.

So why the focus on trying to control extreme outliers? I guessed at it last spring:

IMHO, what remains true is that many people have examined their lives and concluded that they are:

(a) not involved with criminal activity, especially drug-related;
(b) not in an abusive domestic relationship,
(c) not suicidal, and
(d) not living in a crime-ridden neighborhood

For those fortunate many, the most visible remaining risk of gun violence is a random shooting at a mall, theater, or (for kids and young adults) school.

Mass shootings may not be the best place to look if the goal is to cut into that 12,000 figure. But most gun homicides are done by handguns and frequently involve urban ethnics. The politicians most comfortable with more gun control are generally least comfortable with 'Stop and Frisk', locking up young black men, and generally cracking down on our city streets, so there is a tendency to push irrelevant feel-good legislation such as an assault weapons ban. Banning handguns? Probably violates Heller, probably can't be meaningfully enforced, probably can't pass any legislative body anywhere (CA and NY don't even they).

That said, I welcome a national debate, even if it is likely to be as brain-dead as the last one. The Gun Violence Restraining Order is still a good idea, if people would just use it.

Comments

[matt - deplore me if you must]

Bam!

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

Yes that figure seemed bogus but it was everywhere.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Probably violates Heller?

[Understatement, because I NEVER engage in hyperbole. EVER! Also, I mentioned Heller earlier - its the law until the Dems get their Supremes on. - TM]

[matt - deplore me if you must]

There are 36,000 gun deaths per year. 20 - 24,000 are suicides. 8,000 are African American on African American.

[Miss Marple]

Well, I created a new account and I am told my password is incorrect, even though I just created it.

I hope this site doesn't go to required log in because it looks like I will never be able to do so.

[hoyden]

Knowing the Democrats and Media, to repeat myself, there won't be a national debate. They'll turn it into a national hector lecture.

[henry]

"assault weapons" ::groan::

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

A pistol is not a assault weapon.

[Miss Marple]

I am off for a series of errands and scouting where I will park and walk to downtown. Back later this afternoon.

[boatbuilder]

"No matter what you think of Rosenstein, he didn't get to where he is by taking potshots at the boss.

Posted by: Captain Hate | November 10, 2018 at 07:04 AM"

Well, CH, he did write the memo that got Comey fired. I guess what you can say about him is that he has an instinct for knowing who the "boss" is.

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

Oh shocker:

http://www.cwbchicago.com/2018/11/exclusive-jewish-uptown-man-accused-of.html
https://t.co/8jgiG0Zh1g?amp=1

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

Would you believe the parkland shooter is registered to vote.

[henry]

narciso, do the records show him voting?

[Porchlight]

Test

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

To soon to tell, this comes from the father of one of the victims.

[Extraneus]

RICK WILSON: TRUMP WAS ‘ONE MILLISECOND’ FROM CALLING APRIL RYAN THE ‘N-WORD’

Staunch anti-Trump Republican strategist Rick Wilson claimed Friday night that President Donald Trump nearly called April Ryan the “N-word” during his contentious exchange with the reporter earlier this week.

...

“I think that angry Donald Trump is often closer to the true core of this guy than anything else we see. And in all of these exchanges particularly when he was telling April to sit down, all I could think of is this guy is like one millisecond away from the N-word,” Wilson added. “He hates her. It’s obvious, it’s tangible and his inability to control his anger and his temper is remarkable.”

[Buford Gooch]

Great explanation of why Mass shootings are used instead of the 99% that aren't mass shootings to spur the "gun control" efforts, TM.

Thanks.

[Marlene]

Test

[Extraneus]

Judicial Watch Sues DOJ for Records of Investigations into the Awan Brothers, Congressional Democrat IT Scandal

“It’s time for the full truth to come out about the House Democrat IT scandal, especially with impending change of power in the House,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “There is hope that the new leadership at the DOJ will bring transparency to this case, as well as many pending FOIA investigations.”

[Old Lurker]

Is it true that Rick Wilson's actual first name is "F**K"

Just wondering.

Do those letters after his name, DIAF, really mean Die In A fire?

[Ralph L]

8,000 are African American on African American.
Yet most people of all colors seem to be OK with that. The people most at risk are more upset about the high percentage of young black men in the criminal justice system. Granted, it dwarfs the death count.

[Porchlight]

Reminder of what went on in Broward County in 2016. They were filling out fraudulent ballots prior to the election.

https://www.scribd.com/document/330420022/11-03-2016-Chelsey-Smith-SOE-Affidavit

[narciso]

Some good news for a change:

https://babalublog.com/2018/11/09/cuban-american-anthony-gonzalez-elected-to-the-u-s-house-of-representatives-in-ohios-16th-congressional-district/#comments

[peter]

Seems to me like Comey would be the ideal first person to be prosecuted by Whitaker. An open and shut case for the six-nine wiggly worm

[Marlene]

Test

[Old Lurker]

Porch "They were filling out fraudulent ballots prior to the election."

Give em a break, Porch. Coloring inside all those bubbles takes a lot of time if they can't remember how from all those SATs and GMATs they took.

[Marlene]

Sorry,I guess I have to keep signing in.

[henry]

OL, templates. Things like stencils or multiple choice grading sheets. No problem for a group funded by the teachers unions.

[Old Lurker]

Does this entry on my JOM thread make me a bad person?

"Comment by Negro Journos blocked."

[narciso]

An ontetsting bit from an otherwise blameshifting piece new yorker about the attack on the embassy in havana. The nsc liaison who derided trump was part of the Castro appeasers as was his successor cutz changes in policy happened despite their efforts not because of them.

[narciso]

Interesting, entous and guevara fan Anderson fan boi blame everything including regime hardliners slobber over Castro whelp alejandro a ministry of interior official, who apparently was rhodes contact

[narciso]

Ordimatily I wouldn't have bothered but powerline had it in their top links.

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

That would be colonel deare, to remind you.

[Jim Eagle]

According to my Veteran's feed, they (combined veteran organizations) are calling for a total boycott of all NFL games tomorrow which coincidentally is Veteran's Day.

I wonder if they will have their big flag ceremonies tomorrow. The Networks don't bring the anthem anymore so you don't know if they are kneeling or not. Still not enough for a lot of people to watch.

[Jane]

A Snipes staffer says she's been filling out blank ballots. She was promptly fired.

[Porchlight]

Do you have a source, Jane? That sounds like the Chelsey Smith affidavit from 2016 that I linked above.

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

How many more like that,

[Michael (fpa P4F) ... Stop the Witch Hunt - Stop the Coup !]

In the book, Becoming, Mrs. Obama reveals that she had a miscarriage and used in vitro fertilization to conceive both children, Malia and Sasha.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | November 09, 2018 at 04:50 PM

So - besides being unable to properly perform the job requirements of the presidency . . .
Barack Obama was also unable to properly perform the job requirements of a man.

How surprising.

[Jim Eagle]

Maybe Zippy is the Tranny!

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

Well goggles, meanwhile it seems a thinkregress reporter was at the assault on Carlson's house.

[Michael (fpa P4F) ... Stop the Witch Hunt - Stop the Coup !]

Porchlight - (Delayed response to your Fri A.M. post)

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. :(
Thank you for that link about James Woods. It sounds like something he would do.
It's great that he is helping those who are searching for their missing loved ones.

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

Yes he does Michael I can't imagine that level of devastation

[Neo]

I realized this morning the burning question as the Democrats take over the House ... will those biodegradable sporks return to the visitor center ?

[henry]

and just like that, the new blog smell returns. Thanks TM!

[Porchlight]

No worries, Michael. Hard to keep up with all that's going on.

[Jane]

"Do you have a source, Jane? That sounds like the Chelsey Smith affidavit from 2016 that I linked above."

Might be. I can't remember where I saw it. The depo J.Christian Adams took of her a few years back would also be very informative.

[Bernardi Dr la paz]

This is the fellow

https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-deare-783871b

Ironically the heralds resident lefty was two dissed him,

[BufordGooch]

Well, Twitter sign in seems to be working so far.

[Jane]

Breaking: Broward County Employee Signs Affidavit Admitting Seeing Elections Staff Filling Out Blank Ballots!

Former Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp tweeted that there is an affidavit from a Florida campaign worker who states that he/she saw Broward County Elections staff filling out blank ballots!

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/11/breaking-broward-county-employee-signs-affidavit-admitting-seeing-elections-staff-filling-out-blank-ballots/

[Neo]

In 2000 there were claims that some ballots were replaced when they were damaged by filling out new ballots

[henry]

Neo, that was the explanation for the 40,000 votes at midnight reported in Milwaukee County. Vote count fraud is at epidemic levels.

[Frau Ekelhaft]

anonamom - my optimism is about on empty. My disgust runneth over.

[Frau Indianerherz]

Newt, the dems are not trying; they are succeeding.

[JimNorCal]

.

[Frau Indianerherz]

Kindle price for "Guineaman" is $.99.

[glasater]

Test

[JimNorCal]

Price for GuineaMan at library: free :)

[glasater]

I'm signed in on Typepad..have an avatar but it doesn't show up. What am I doing wrong?

[henry]

New Thread...

glister, from the appearance of your avatar and blog name in gray... you do not appear signed in.

[henry]

and spell check is doing it's thing... glasater

[glasater]

Ah..now I can see what's going on, Henry. Thanks!

[clarice]

glasater, try hitting the typepad sign in on the comment section

[Frau Indianerherz]

Our LA County library is closed for refurbishing. Books have to be ordered from another site in town. The system is no longer adding many new books to our library. Order and wait!
Enjoy your local library, Jim, Sunnyvale.

[sbwaters]

Newt hread.

[mike in houston]

test

[Texas Liberty Gal]

New thread