Incidents Involving Police & Assault Weapons Are on the Rise
WASHINGTON -- More than one out of four assault weapons incidents involve police, according to “Target: Law Enforcement—Assault Weapons in the News” (http://www.vpc.org/studies/targetle.pdf) a new study released today by the Violence Policy Center (VPC). The study, based on reports in the news of assault weapons incidents over a two-year span, is a snapshot of the effect of America’s laissez-faire policy toward these deadly military-style weapons.
The study found that the percentage of assault weapons incidents involving police rose significantly between the two periods studied: March 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006, and March 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007. Police were involved in 29 of 117 incidents (24.8 percent) in the first period and 35 of 118 incidents (29.7 percent) in the second period—an increase of 20.7 percent between the two periods. Other findings include the following.
-- Shots were fired from assault weapons (other than police weapons) in three out of every four reported incidents involving police.
-- Gangs were reported to be involved in one out of five of the reported incidents involving assault weapons.
-- Assault weapons incidents frequently result in deaths or injuries. At least one victim was killed in 86 out of 235 reported incidents (36.6 percent). A total of 115 deaths were reported for the 86 incidents.
-- AK-47 type rifles were the type of assault weapon most often named in reports. SKS rifles were the second most often named type.
Tom Diaz, VPC senior policy analyst and author of the study states, “This snapshot of assault weapon violence makes clear that these guns pose a clear and continued threat to law enforcement. State and federal policymakers should move quickly to protect the public servants who protect us by passing effective legislation to restrict these military-bred weapons.”
The report is based on a compilation of information derived from multiple searches, using a variety of terms, of reports published in U.S. news media and included in the commercial database Nexis. The use of such surrogate data is necessary because there is no national database that comprehensively tracks deaths and injuries from specific types and models of firearms. As a result, the data contained in the study represents the minimal number of incidents involving assault weapons.
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ok for all of those who dont know what an sks is here is a picture:
http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl01-e.htm
it is a military surplus semi auto only(cannot safely be converted to full auto because the gun wasnt built to handle it, even the military version) it has a fixed 10 round magazine(you cant remove it without disassembling the gun, even on the military version) that you load from the top(see the link, its the last picture down)
so is any gun used in a crime now considered an assault weapon that should be banned
The only thing I can add to this is I believe if the rifle is semi automatic and "scary" looking to "someone," is is an assault rifle??
Semi Auto rifles are NOT assault weapons .
Semi Auto rifles are NOT assault weapons.
1 more time.....
Semi Auto rifles are NOT assault weapons.
"According to the purists, an assault rifle has to be selective fire. Yet, if you think about it, it's a little hard to accept the idea that firearms with extended magazines, pistol grip stock, etc., cease to assault rifles by changing a bit of metal."
Duncan Long in "Assault Pistols, Rifles and Submachine Guns," Paladin Press, 1986, at p.1.
I love the way the anti-gun nuts have labeled military style weapons as " assault weapons " as an excuse to try and ban them. Any weapon used in an attack becomes an assault weapon, even if it is a black poweder rifle. Pistol grips and bayonet lugs do not make a rifle any more deadly. Seriously, when is the last time you heard about a cop who was murdered in a bayonet charge?
And the fact that they are trying to use media reports as a legitimate source is even more mind boggling. No one has any faith in the media any more, what makes you think the "studies" of yours will matter to anyone? You're not taking our weapons away from us, VPC, so do us all a favor and just go away. Molon Labe.
These numbers look a little suspect to me. But if you consider they are only using media reports as their source, that explains a lot.
That's how VPC operates. They use media reports, which often contain incorrect information, especially as to the types of weapons used, since every rifle on the planet is an AK-47 to most reporters. They also incorrectly refer to the carry permit status of shooters, but VPC uses those numbers unchecked because it supports their agenda.
When it comes to research , VPC stands for Very Poorly Conducted.