Mayors Against Illegal Guns: The Movement of Illegal Guns in America Report

The group Mayors Against Illegal Guns has a released a new report chronicling how guns used in crimes move within the United States. The report, The Movement of Illegal Guns in America, examines the movement of illegal firearms across states by comparing state sale laws, how frequently illegal guns are recovered after being used in crimes and where those guns originated.

One of the arguments guns supporters often repeat is that states with strict sale laws experience high crime rates where guns are used. One of the conclusions of this report utilizes trace data to show that guns are imported into those states from states where sale laws are lax. For instance, in 2007, Ohio (which has lax laws) exported 1,813 guns to other states that were used in crimes and recovered.

This data was captured using trace data provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Trace data works by tracking the ownership of a firearm back to its origin. This is accomplished when a gun is recovered after a crime. The law enforcement agency contacts the ATF with the gun's serial number and make. The ATF identifies the wholesaler, then the retailer who in turn identifies the first purchaser. Law enforcement can then trace the gun from purchaser to crime. The problem is, not all trace data is available to law enforcement. The dreaded Tiahrt Amendemnt restricts the use of trace data and only allows a small portion of it to be used in studies like this. Before its implementation, this kind of data could pinpoint the exact firearms dealer who sold guns that were more likely to be used in crimes.

Given the extraordinary amount of crimes committed with guns, it is astounding that groups like the National Rifle Association argue against using trace data to identify where illegal guns originate. Even more astounding is the fact that these groups support the legislation that allows guns to be sold at gun shows without a background check. In fact, Ohio is one of those states where purchasing a firearms in a gun shop requires a background check to see if the purchaser has a criminal record or a history of mental illness but purchasing that same weapon at a gun show requires nothing more than completing a Federal firearms form.

One of the conclusions within the report is that if states adopt five laws they will export less guns which will be used in crimes. Those laws are requiring background checks for all handgun sales at gun shows, requiring a permit for all handgun purchases, reuiring the reporting of lost or stolen guns, allowing local control of gun laws and mandating or permitting gun dealer inspections. Ohio only requires the reporting of lost or stolen firearms.

We live in an area, Northeast Ohio, that has tremendous problems with gun crime. Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown are plagued with people who possess guns illegaly. Yet, we allow groups like the NRA to bully the state legislature into keeping effective gun control laws off the books. This report now makes their most repeated argument invalid. States with tight gun control laws still experience gun crime because guns are imported from states with lax gun laws. New Yorkers experience gun crime with weapons originally sold in West Virginia. This isn't rocket science. Criminals understand how to move guns from a place they may be easily purchased to a place where the illicit need is great but they are harder to purchase. This report clearly shows that the time has come for states with lax gun laws to protect their neighbors from the criminals taking advantage of them.

It should be noted that the following area mayors are members of the coalition: Mayor Jay Williams from Youngstown, Mayor Don Plusquellic from Akron, Mayor Frank Jackson from Cleveland, Mayor Michael Coleman of Columbus, Mayor Bill Cervenik of Euclid and many others from Northeast Ohio. The full list can be found here.

Washington Post Story on GM Lordstown and the Effects of it Closing

Here is a story from today's Washington Post regarding the importance of GM Lordstown to this area and what people think would be the effects of it closing. It is clear from the tone of the respondents in the article that we are counting on President Bush to do the right thing and make a bridge loan to the automotive industry.

I found this section to be interesting. Plant management and the UAW local are given credit for the tremendous strides their cooperation has made over the years:

One of the most frustrating aspects of the potential Lordstown closing is
the fact that the efforts of the union and the company at the plant represent,
in some ways, an answer to the industry's many critics.
The Lordstown plant
builds the small and relatively fuel-efficient Chevrolet Cobalt, and the company
had begun investing $350 million at the plant to build the Chevy Cruze, a car
expected to be capable of 40 miles per gallon. The union has agreed to have new
workers receive $14 an hour — about half of the wage for previous employees —
and about 600 Lordstown employees work at that rate. The Lordstown plant is
also, partly through the cooperation of the union, one of the company's more
productive plants.
"Thirty years ago, this was probably the most radical
plant in North America," said local union chief Jim Graham. "We would stop the
line if there was a leak in the ceiling. Now we understand that the enemy is not
the management. It's the foreign" competition.

I don't necessarily agree with Mr. Graham's assessment that foreign competition is the enemy. That ship sailed thirty years ago. After all, competition forces you to be better. If you build the best product available people will buy it. However, Mr. Graham should be commended for the work his Local has done with plant management. Lordstown produces a quality product and does so efficiently.

Hopefully President Bush understands that there are areas like the Mahoning Valley and towns like Lordstown all across the midwest that depend heavily on automotive plants. Not everyone lives on the East Coast and works in finance. The automotive industry, like any industry, deserves the intense scrutiny they have received when asking for a government loan. However, the finance industry was handed a true bailout, the buying of their toxic investments, with little more than a week's thought. GM and Chrysler are not asking the government to buy cars, they are asking for a loan to restructure and re-tool. A loan that will be paid back with interest. To view this situation as anything less than standing up for the American worker calls into question the judgement of those in Washington D.C., and begs the question of whose interests they are serving.

We're supposed to find out if help is coming this morning. Hopefully President Bush makes the right decision.

Updated: The president made the right decision and arranged for a loan of 17 billion dollars with the condition the automakers are viable by march of 2009. Hopefully they can meet the goal. The story is here at CNN.

The Rust Belt Pop Monthly Newsletter- Great Gift Ideas for Christmas

Have you signed up for the Rust Belt Pop newsletter? If you haven't, please do so by entering your email address in the subscription box at the right. The latest edition is below.






The Rust Belt Pop Monthly Newsletter

Great Gift Ideas for Christmas

December 10, 2008

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Featured Product

Browns Strategy Light T-Shirt
$18.99

In This Issue:

Put a Fork in the Browns
Evil Genius Proves to be a Hit
Zombies or Friends? Hmmm...
Tales from the Rust Belt

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1. Put a Fork in the Browns

Another miserable football season is drawing to a close for Cleveland Browns fans. Injuries, stunningly bad coaching decisions and a prime time schedule that showcased our misfortune all contributed to a terrible fall and winter.

In celebration of the Brown's continued slide to doom, Rust Belt Pop presents the Cleveland Browns Strategy design. This design is available on more than 36 items, including t-shirts, cofee mugs and hoodies. Items are available for men, women, children and infants. Our great selection allows your Browns fan to vent their rage and look stylish and funny while doing so.

The strategy is:
1) Hire the wrong coach.
2) Pick the worst offensive line available.
3) Force quarterback to run for his life every Sunday.
4) Bet the farm on every rookie.
5) Say "Wait 'til next year".
6) Repeat until team is moved again.

Remember, we mock them because we love them.

Link: http://www.cafepress.com/rustbeltpop/6112178


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2. Evil Genius Proves to be a Hit

There are more than a few mad scientists and evil genius' among us. I know that because the Evil Genius design introduced last month has proved to be very popular. Selling especially well was the Evil Genius Catalog greeting card, featuring a mock up cover of a catalog for world domination supplies.

The inside features this greeting for the holidays; "Moo-Hoo Bwa-Ha-Ha Merry Christmas!"

Give the link a click and see our two designs for the evil genius. The second is a simple headshot of the fiend.

Items available with these designs include t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, greeting cards and buttons.

Link: http://www.cafepress.com/rustbeltpop/6214417


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3. Zombies or Friends? Hmmm...

You're a Great Friend but if the Zombies Chase Us, I'm Tripping You.

It's still our best selling design and a perrenial favorite at Halloween and Christmas. What's really surprising is how the design is always in vogue. No matter what the occasion, there's no wrong time to tell your friends that you'll do anything for them except face a horde of the unliving.

This design is available on dozens of items, including some favorites like buttons, t-shirts, and hoodies. It has also been spotted on messenger bags, BBQ aprons and Christmas tree ornaments.

The saying has become quite a meme on the internet so get the original design on the items of your choice by clicking the link.

Often imitated but never duplicated, the original design remains the best.

Link: http://www.cafepress.com/rustbeltpop/6099547


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4. Tales from the Rust Belt

The Tales from the Rust Belt blog continues on, offering commentary on politics, some satire, book reviews and my unvarnished opinion of what's wrong with the Mahoning Valley. Click the link below to catch up.

As always, feedback is welcome. The blog is a great place to discuss all sorts of things, so please, drop us a line!

Link: http://www.talesfromtherustbelt.blogspot.com


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This will probably be it for the year folks, so everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Case for Saving General Motors

There is only one reason for Congress to loan money to America's struggling auto makers. There is only one reason that matters, one reason that is more important than political or economic philosophy and that reason is extremely selfish.

We need the jobs.

The entire rustbelt region of the country, and the Mahoning Valley in particular, are utterly dependent on the American automotive industry to survive. People feed their families because they work for GM, Chrysler and Ford. People pay their mortgages with the wages paid by automotive suppliers. Small businesses thrive because those automotive industry employees spend their dollars in those businesses. Governments are only able to provide services due to taxes paid by the automotive industry and the workers in associated industries.

I am throwing off any semblance of objectivity as I write this. If you think these companies should be allowed to fail because you adhere to a free market philosophy, you should probably just stop reading now and save yourself the frustration of refuting what I'm saying. I just don't care.

It is imperative that Congress and the automotive companies reach an agreement that allows all three companies to carry on daily operations, innovate new technologies and support the suppliers that depend on them. Let's be very clear. The industry is asking for a loan, not a free money bailout.

There are thousands of people in the Mahoning Valley who depend on General Motors Lordstown for their emplyment and those people do not work for GM. They work for first tier suppliers, logistics companies, transportation companies and raw material suppliers. Do you realize how many companies and good paying jobs in Mahoning and Trumbull counties are associated with the Cobalt and G5?

I do not see a problem with the federal government providing a loan to the auto companies. No, every failing company cannot be saved. But not every industry has 1 in 10 workers dependent upon it. It is in the national interest for the automotive industry to be saved so they can become stronger. The automotive industry hires engineers, business school graduates, scientists, electricians, plumbers, machinists, IT professionals and chemists. Those jobs require higher education. That means educated people are earning good salaries, providing a stable middle class and raising children who are more likely to become highly educated professionals.

I will be the first to say the auto industry failed to plan for the increased gasoline prices we saw this summer. But to their credit, until gas cost $4.00 a gallon they were providing a superb product that people were buying in record numbers, namely SUV's and light trucks. We like big vehicles with lots of room so that's what they built and sold. We also like big houses and buying things on credit. When the credit bubble blew up at the same time gas prices went through the roof, we realized we were over extended and there was no credit available for buying cars and even if we could, we couldn't afford to put gas in them.

So there it is. Cars aren't selling because we're broke, banks aren't lending money because they got burned loaning money to people who couldn't afford their houses and the cars being made are a decade behind where they should be in fuel economy. We need to save ourselves and we can do that by providing loans to the auto industry. There is nothing wrong with the government protecting our jobs when all that is needed is a loan. Congress needs to get off their butts and decide what is best for the country. Somehow, I don't think allowing 1 in 10 workers to become unemployed is in the nation's interest.