Speak Out: Gun-related Crimes Drop in Virginia, Firearm Sales Increase

by Sharon McLoone

Gun-related violent crimes are declining in the Commonwealth while firearm sales in Virginia are increasing.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch obtained federally licensed gun dealer sales estimates showing that firearms sales grew 16 percent in 2012 to a record 490,119 guns purchased.

During the same period, the number of major crimes committed with firearms dropped 5 percent to 4,378.

In Del Ray last week police began investigating an armed robbery on Myrtle Street and another situation when a woman and her fiance were robbed at gunpoint while in their car.

WJLA reports that Virginia Commonwealth University assistant professor Thomas Baker, who specializes in research methods and criminology theory, told the Times-Dispatch that the data indicate that more guns don't always lead to more crime.

Josh Horwitz with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence said the real question is how many guns are sold without a background check because those guns are more likely to be involved in crimes.

Does new data show that there's less of a need for gun-control laws?