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As gun-carrying permits reach historic levels in Minnesota, related crimes remain in check
http://www.startribune.com/as-gun-carrying-permits-reach-historic-levels-in-minnesota-related-crimes-remain-in-check/322600721/A record 200,000 Minnesotans now have permits to carry handguns, an increasingly diverse group that includes two men who recently made split-second, life-altering decisions to fire their weapons.
In 2003, the year Minnesota passed its permit-to-carry law, 15,000 five-year permits were issued. The number issued annually then decreased for several years. But by 2014, 184,985 Minnesotans held permits. Today, one in 20 Minnesotans has a permit, 19 percent of them women.
Opponents had feared that the law would lead to a surge in shootings and gun deaths. But Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension data show that fatalities involving permit holders are rare. In the past five years, there have been five deadly or nonlethal instances of justifiable use of a firearm by permit holders.
From 2013 to 2014, gun crimes reported to the BCA involving permit owners dropped in half. While the numbers may not tell the full story — law enforcement can’t track all gun owners who flash weapons only if needed for self-defense — gun rights advocates say they’re telling.
In 2003, the year Minnesota passed its permit-to-carry law, 15,000 five-year permits were issued. The number issued annually then decreased for several years. But by 2014, 184,985 Minnesotans held permits. Today, one in 20 Minnesotans has a permit, 19 percent of them women.
Opponents had feared that the law would lead to a surge in shootings and gun deaths. But Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension data show that fatalities involving permit holders are rare. In the past five years, there have been five deadly or nonlethal instances of justifiable use of a firearm by permit holders.
From 2013 to 2014, gun crimes reported to the BCA involving permit owners dropped in half. While the numbers may not tell the full story — law enforcement can’t track all gun owners who flash weapons only if needed for self-defense — gun rights advocates say they’re telling.
Hope this isn't too local.
14 replies
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the anti's went fucking berserk when it passed, predicting that the state would be red with rivers of blood, so far, nothing of the sort has happened, yet they won't admit they were wrong, they keep saying any day now.
