This Month In History -- 2004

From December 2004: While it is an article of faith among gun-control proponents that government restrictions on firearms reduces violence and crime, two U.S. studies could find no evidence to support such a conclusion.

The New York Times (again with a slant all its own) reported that "poor data" had hampered the study and that "a major national effort to improve knowledge about firearms is needed before anyone can judge the effectiveness" of a variety of policies, from gun control to laws allowing people to carry concealed handguns. Hmmm . . .

World Net Daily on Dec. 30, 2004, reported on the National Academy of Sciences, which issued its 328-page report based on 253 journal articles, 99 books, 43 government publications, a survey of 80 different gun-control laws and some of its own independent study. In short, the panel could find NO link between restrictions on gun ownership and lower rates of crime, firearms violence or even accidents with guns. Renowned research scientist John Lott reported on the findings here.

The National Academy of Sciences panel was established during the Clinton administration and all but one of its members were known to favor gun control.