North Dakota’s House Judiciary Committee held a hearing this week on bill that “would allow elected officials with a valid concealed carry permit to carry a firearm in public buildings.” From the Bismarck Tribune (North Dakota) discussing the debate over the bill:
. . . “Statistics show that there is a direct correlation between the increase in the number of conceal-carry permits and the decline of violent crime,” [Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo] said.
Rep. Kris Wallman, D-Fargo, questioned Koppelman’s claim.
“Who’s research are you relying on?” Wallman said.
Koppelman said he’d used information from the Virginia-based Crime Prevention Research Center, which researches gun ownership and public safety issues. The group’s founder, John Lott Jr., is an economist, gun researcher and author of multiple books promoting gun rights. . . .
I’m sure the antis will deploy a squadron of “writers,” “scientists,” to make stuff up to show how facts aren’t facts. Keep up the good work, CPRC, John. You ARE making a positive difference.
I agree. Keep up the good work!