FIREARM SALES SOAR, CRIME FALLS . . .

From the National Shooting Sports Foundation

Since the surge in firearms purchases began in October 2008, if one believes the oft-repeated mantra that "most crime guns are rapidly diverted from retailers to the street via straw purchasers," then there should have been a surge in homicides and other violent crime. There was not. In fact, preliminary figures released by the FBI today show that all forms of violent crime were down in 2009 from 2008, with homicides showing the greatest percentage decline (7.2 percent). These declines in crime came during a year when firearm sales were at historic highs.