Memphis "homicide" rate. WREG news story

[Guest mwn]

They aired a video that might be available on the website. It was an interesting story. They did an interview with Tom Givens, and showed him basically shooting one hole - "Even when your just showin' off"......

In the video, Tom said: "10 or 15 years ago, there were only a few hundred people in Shelby County who could legally carry a gun to defend themselves. There are now over 30,000 people in Shelby County with carry permits." "....now there are so many people with carry permits, just about anywhere the bad guy goes, they may run into one".

If you ever get a chance to train with Tom, take it. It is time and money very well spent.

http://www.wreg.com/global/story.asp?s=7569998

Posted by Brian Kuebler

2007 Homicide Rate Driven Up By People Fighting Back

FAST FACTS:

31 of Memphis' 164 homicides in 2007 were justifiable murders

That number nearly tripled from 2006

Police say more people are armed and willing to fight back

brian.kuebler@wreg.com

(Memphis, TN -- 1/2/2008) Break down the Bluff City's murder rate and Memphis Police found that 31, possibly 32 killings were justified. Nearly 20 percent of 2007's homicides were caused by people protecting themselves.

"It was our biggest increase in any category."

Lt. Joe Scott says the numbers are surprising. In 2004 the department reported about 12 justified murders. It was the same in 2005 and close to it again in 2006, but last year Memphians were justified in killing 31 people over attempted robberies, assaults or domestic violence.

Authorities say more citizens are arming themselves against crime.

"I believe guns are a little bit more prevalent as well as the hand gun permits and the education of the community," said Scott.

Owner of Range Master Tom Givens isn't as surprised by the numbers, in fact, he expects the trend to continue.

"10 or 15 years ago there were a few hundred people in Shelby County who could legally carry a gun and defend themselves. There are now over 30 thousand people in Shelby County with gun permits," said Givens.

And they're fighting back. Four of Givens students last year alone were involved in self defense shootings. Evidence that more criminals are running into a growing public trained, able and willing to fight back.

"That accumulates over time that there are so many people in the county with permits that about anywhere the bad guys go, they will run into one."

Overall Memphis is reporting a six percent decrease in violent crime with a 12 percent decrease in criminal homicides. Authorities say they will monitor the justified murder stat more closely this year to see if 2007 was a random spike or a developing pattern.

By the numbers:

2006's murder total was 160. 11 were justified. The FBI does not count justified killings as part of a city's murder rate resulting in a total of 149.

That number dropped in 2007 to 132 with 31, possibly 32 justified killings. A murder rate reduction of 12 percent.

[Guest David Waldrip]

+1 regarding Tom Givens.

[molonlabetn]

It would warm my heart if someday the numbers were swapped... 132 justified homicides, and 32 (or fewer) murders.

(or even better, if both numbers dropped to zero...)