Atlanta’s murder rate is now higher than Chicago’s
Image via Bart Everson
President Trump and conservative supporters have made a habit out of using Chicago, a historically left-wing city, as a prime example of the failures of gun control.
They mention the city’s high murder rates and tragic tales on a regular basis hoping to drive home the point that more guns and police presence will somehow stop the violence. However, looking at the numbers carefully reveals that their efforts may be misdirected.
If you didn’t know any better, you might suspect that Chicago has the highest murder rate in the United States. Actually, it’s not even in the top 10. With an average of 11.6 murders per 100,000 people in the first half of 2016, Chicago landed at number 14 on the list. Meanwhile, Atlanta claimed the tenth spot, according to 11 Alive.
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“Atlanta should not be tenth in murders. Chicago is 14,” said state Sen. Vincent Fort, who is running for mayor.
While Chicago’s total number of shootings may be higher, but the likelihood of shootings happening is higher in 13 other cities according to the FBI’s data.
“When people talk about big cities and crime and murder, unfortunately Atlanta is outpacing, per capita, Chicago in the number of murders. That’s not acceptable,” Fort said.
But don’t expect to hear a change in the narrative from anyone because Chicago’s still just a city full of missile launchers and tanks on every corner.
So the idea of allowing trained and law abiding, hard working citizens to carry a concealed weapon for self defense may be ‘misguided’ now that Atlanta’s murder rate per capita exceeds Chicago’s? What does one have to do with the other
What is the likelihood that I will open an interesting news article and find some shill hung up on his own ideology in the comment section? I swear, I don’t see half as many of these folks in real life as I do in comments sections.
GA loosened gun regulations prior to 2016. I didn’t even know Atlanta was in the top 10 – I knew the legislation was poor, but didn’t realize it would do *that* much damage.
If you’re white, and you want to have a white family, you really should emigrate from the USA. Too many guns in the hands of too many humalobaloobas. America is a dump, and no, Idaho is not a viable option. That place is BORING.