NRA News: Michigan: More Women are Using Guns for Fun and Protection
Cam Edwards talks to Rick Ector from Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit
The Daily Telegram Notes FBI Report: Less crime despite more firearms
Last week The Daily Telegram of Lenawee County in Michigan had a story that most larger outlets never reported on, namely that crime is down again according to the FBI statistics, yet gun owners is up. The paper noted:
“The statistics show that violent crime actually fell six percent in 2010. Rates are less than half of what they were 20 years ago for murder and non-negligent manslaughter (4.8 per 100,000 population), the lowest since 1963.”
Last week there was outrage over the mass shooting, but this type of coverage is seldom reported. The paper further added:
“In fact, two of the three states with the highest murder levels — California and New York — also have the most restrictive gun laws, denying virtually all citizens the right to concealed carry to protect themselves.”
Again, where is the reporting on this angle of the story? There is no crime, so the media remains mum on the issue.
Arizona Republic Offers Misleading Facts in “News” Story
This week The Arizona Republic ran a story titled “Guns in Arizona: A life-or-death question,” and while it was in the news section, it had an op-ed feel, suggesting a true media bias. The intro offered this thought:
“Arizona has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the nation. It also has one of the highest rates of gun deaths in the country.”
The first question is whether these facts are actually linked, and honestly there is no proof. But then, we need to determine what the authors mean by “highest rates of gun deaths.” In fact, Arizona only ranks 10th, which we suppose could suggest the country is in the top 10.
But according to data from 2009, Arizona had a total homicide rate of 6.28 per 100,000 people. That trails Michigan, where Detroit has much higher crime than any city in Arizona. Contrast that figure to the 12.74 rate of Louisiana, or 6.67 of California – a state that has some of the most restrictive gun laws in that nation. Nowhere in the story is California even mentioned. In other words, merely noting that California has a higher crime rate sort of debunks the basis of this “news article.”
However, we can also look specifically at gun homicides and again Arizona ranks 10th at 4.54, just below Michigan (again with Detroit and Flint), which has a 4.55 per 100,000 gun homicide rate. But there is more. Illinois, which as with California has strict gun laws, comes in above Arizona and in 2009 had a 4.59 per 100,000 gun homicide rate, while California had a 4.82 per 100,000 gun homicide rate.
So, in other words, two states that have strict gun laws still have a greater homicide rate. What does that say about the Arizona Republic story? It is certainly something to think about.
How To Get A Michigan Concealed Pistol License
From our friend Rick Ector:
Rick Ector, owner of Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit, has authored an E-book entitled, “How To Get A Michigan Concealed Pistol License.”
Ector is giving it away – FREE of charge – to visitors of his web site. Ector feels that there is currently a need to freely share information on a couple of little discussed facets on the process of acquiring a Concealed Pistol License in the state of Michigan: how to select a credible Firearms Instructor and how to select a state of Michigan compliant CPL Class. Read more
Open Carry Called for Detroit
Rick Ector, a Detroit native and a nationally accredited Firearms Instructor, has launched a blog on the Internet to encourage citizens to openly carry handguns. The blog is entitled “Detroit Open Carry.”
According to Ector, the time has arrived for city of Detroit to break ties with the racist roots of gun control.
“Gun laws have always been most strict in cities with large numbers of black people,” says Ector. “Detroit is no different in that regard. In 1925, Dr. Ossian Sweet was acquitted of defending his home from a mob of people who were upset with the gall of a black man who dared to integrate a white neighborhood.”
Ector, was referring to the Michigan court case which many have credited as being the genesis of the 1927 Michigan Firearms Act. This law created County Gun Boards, required the licensing of handguns, and made acquiring Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPLs) and handguns difficult for most black people.
Ector further concedes that there is another reason for pushing open carry in Detroit.
“Crime here is out of control and the local police department can’t be everywhere. A citizen wearing a firearm in a holster will serve as a visual deterrent to bad guys looking to rape, rob, and murder.”
In general, it is legal in the state of Michigan for a person 18 years of age to display his own registered pistol in a completely visible holster without a special permit, as long as he does not venture into a state designated pistol-free zone.
Rick Ector is a Detroit based grassroots gun rights advocate and a National Rifle Association (NRA) credentialed Firearms and Personal Protection Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Classes training in Detroit for students at his firearms school – Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit.
Successful Dinner Organizer To Solicit Detroit Police Department’s Position On Handgun Open Carry
From our friend Rick Ector:
Rick Ector, a local Detroit gun rights activist, will ask the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners – during the public comment section of the agenda – if they are aware of the fact that the open carry of a handgun is legal in the state of Michigan.
This past Monday, Ector promoted and conducted a successful dinner event at the BluePointe Restaurant in Detroit whereby all of the diners openly and lawfully displayed a handgun.
At this event Ector was contacted by several citizens who alleged that they were harrassed, unlawfully detained, or arrested by Detroit police officers for no other reason than the fact that they openly displayed a handgun. The purpose of the inquiry is to determine if Detroit police officers need training on the legality of open carry or if there is a disconnect between police department policy and the conduct of some of their officers on patrol in Detroit.
In the state of Michigan, it is legal for a person 18 years of age to display his own registered pistol in a completely visible holster without a special permit, as long as he does not venture into a state designated pistol-free zone.
Rick Ector is a National Rifle Association credentialed Firearms Trainer, who provides Michigan CCW Classes training in Detroit for students at his firearms school – Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit. Ector is a recognized expert in firearm safety and has been featured extensively in the national and local media: Associated Press, UPI, NRAnews, Gun Digest, The Politics Daily, Fox News Detroit, WDIV News, WXYZ News, WWJ Radio, WJR Radio, The Detroit News, WJLB, WGPR, and the UrbanShooterPodcast. For more info about the Open Carry and Detroit Michigan CCW Classes
Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit
Saginaw Michigan Sells Forfeited Guns
A new law in Michigan gets it right. Instead of destroying forfeited guns, local authorities can auction off the firearms to raise money for the police department. The Saginaw Police Department recently sold 69 seized guns and raised $16, 323 from their sale. The money will go towards the purchase of a new patrol car.
The law requires that police departments in Michigan must sell forfeited firearms to federally licensed dealers. The guns are cleared of all evidentiary retention requirements before going up for auction. Legal owners are given a chance to recover their firearms before sale. Local authorities must post each weapon, giving a description and serial number, for 30 days before any sale.
Destroying firearms seized by police is a terrible waste. Other legal assets that are forfeited usually end up on the auction block. Why not raise money from gun sales too? With many local municipalities facing tight budgets, new ways for raising money need to be explored and implemented.
Handgun Shooting Class Offered For Women Jan. 31
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment is offering an Introduction to Handgun Shooting class through the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program.
The three-hour class will take place at the Detroit Sportsmen’s Congress in Utica on Monday, Jan. 31 from 7 to 10 p.m.
The class is designed especially for women ages 18 and over to learn basic handgun shooting skills from certified instructors in a safe and comfortable environment.
Participants will learn firearm safety, fundamentals of pistol shooting, ammunition basics and tips on purchasing a handgun. Several different firearms will be set up for handling under certified instructor supervision. This is a basic introductory to handgun shooting class and beginners are welcome.
It is not the course required by law to obtain a concealed pistol license (CPL), but is a great class for those who are new to handgun shooting and may be interested in obtaining a CPL in the future.
Participants will visit the on-site shooting range to practice shooting .22 caliber handguns. Eye and ear protection will also be provided.
The registration deadline is Jan. 24. Register early; class size is limited to 24 participants. A $30 fee is due at the time of registration. For registration forms and information on this and other BOW events, visit www.michigan.gov/bow, email dnr-outdoors-woman@michigan.gov or call 517-241-2225.
Detroit Sportsmen’s Congress is located at 49800 Dequindre Rd. in Utica.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations.
Department of Natural Resources and Environment Official Website
Detroit Michigan CCW Classes Instructor Calls For Transparency In Police Gun Buy-Backs
Our friends at Rick’s Firearm Academy of Detroit are calling for transparency in police gun buybacks in the city.
Detroit, MI – Detroit Michigan CCW Classes Instructor Calls For Transparency In Police Gun Buy-Backs.
Rick Ector, a National Rifle Associated (NRA) Credentialed Firearms Trainer based in Detroit Michigan, has publicly challenged the Detroit Police Department (DPD) to demonstrate transparency in its controversial firearm buyback program.
Since September, the DPD has bought an estimated 1,100 guns from the general public at buy-back events on a “no questions asked basis” and according to Ector has failed to deliver a consistent message to the public what it does with the guns. Read more
Grand Rapids Press Offerings “Findings” From Six-Month Gun Investigation
The Grand Rapids Press, via MLive.com, offered some interesting findings from a six-month investigation, titled: “Guns gone bad: Six-month investigation traces how legal firearms end up in the hands of criminals.” It should also be noted that the paper offered the disclosure that this “marks the beginning of a partnership with Silent Observer to get illegal guns off the street.”
However, it was noted in the story that a lot of “illegal” guns were actually stolen, which is a fact that is often never reported by the media. The paper offered one interesting fact that most in the mainstream media also seem to ignore:
“More importantly, there was no single person making multiple purchases — what police call a ‘straw buyer’ — for convicts needing guns.”
This is an interesting point, since it contrasts the notion that criminals go to gun shows or use straw buyers to purchase guns. Kudos to the Grand Rapids Press for setting the record straight.
