Trump wants federal help to stop Chicago gun violence. He should consider federal gun control.

[HAB911]

The past year was very bad for gun violence in Chicago: The city had 762 murders and 4,331 shooting victims in 2016, with homicides increasing by 57 percent over 2015.

Donald Trump apparently wants to do something about it. In a vague tweet sent out earlier this week, the president-elect suggested that Chicago’s mayor should ask for “federal help” to deal with the city’s extraordinary levels of gun violence.

It’s unclear what kind of federal intervention Trump is referring to in his tweet, though his transition team said on a Tuesday press call that it’s open to ideas from the FBI. (In the past, Trump has brought up Chicago’s violence to justify a call for “tough on crime” policing tactics.)

But there is one way Trump could help curb gun violence in Chicago: a federal gun control law.

Trump, of course, is on the record opposing stricter gun control measures, often calling himself “a Second Amendment person.” But if he’s serious about stopping gun violence in Chicago, he should reconsider his stance — because the research shows that stricter gun control measures really do help reduce gun violence.

http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/4/14157438/trump-chicago-murder-guns

[scscholar]

1. Gun control has been proven to work in Chicago since it reduced the violence...

but of course rump will ignore facts.

[HAB911]

2. He makes his own 'facts' to suit the situation

[Eleanors38]

15. HAB911: Would you back trump if he sought to enact gun control laws?

[HAB911]

17. After sleeping on it

and becoming more outraged by his antics again today, no. I am committed to opposition of anything he supports and pushes regardless of my principles, damn his soul.

[Eleanors38]

18. Interesting. You should be in good stead with the no cooperation group here...

There is the distinct possibility the GOPer Senate & Congress will work to cut up social security medicare. Dare we think in our most private moments, when no one is around, that trump will veto that?

[sarisataka]

9. So there isn't a problem?

[Eleanors38]

11. So, you would work with Trump to re-instate gun control in Chicago?

[matt819]

3. What about that states' rights thing?

Wouldn't it be up to Illinois and Chicago to request federal assistance of any sort?

And, as the OP observes, what about that pesky little gun control issue?

Then there's the issue of financial support. How exactly is "federal assistance" going to happen? And what about cities across the US demanding equal support?

This is what happens with a twit in the Oval Office.

[HAB911]

4. IMO, he'll want military intervention........n/t

[jehop61]

5. According to the SunTimes

Rahm Emanuel did ask him for federal aide when he met at Trump Tower a few weeks ago. Got no response from the Dumpster.

[hack89]

6. The federal laws the author wants are already in place

The truth is a bit more complicated. While it’s true that Chicago has strict gun control laws, those measures can only go so far when its neighbors don’t. After all, people can simply cross the border to Indiana, buy a gun without ever going through even a basic background check, and bring the firearm back to Chicago.

The evidence suggests this happens fairly often — not just in Chicago, but in other places with strict gun laws as well. And the only way to stop it is through the one government that has jurisdiction across the city and state borders where these guns travel through: the federal government.

It is illegal for anyone to buy a gun in another state and take it back across state borders.

Private sales are a state matter - per the author's logic(and case law) the feds have no jurisdiction because it is purely an intrastate matter.

[virginia mountainman]

7. Don't let mere facts get in the way..

...Of fake news...

On a second note, is Rahm Emanuel still writing checks to gun rights organizations?

[scscholar]

8. That was really sad when Chicago decided to write that check

They shouldn't have done that.

[hack89]

10. They should have violated a court order?

really?

[yagotme]

14. Someone recommending violation of laws?

Isn't that Chicago's whole problem in the first place? Murder was still illegal there, last time I looked.

[Eleanors38]

12. You file a suit and lose, you pay up. It is the ethical thing to do.

[virginia mountainman]

13. Your right.. They shouldent have ..

They should have balked..

And let the Gun Rights organizations, win even easier court cases, than placing liens and start seizing assets and other public property, and EVICTING city employees from various office building to satisfy the debt...

Sort of like when a homeowner ended up seizing a Bank of America location to satisfy a court order..

Very Hilarious!!!! I would have loved seeing that footage in Chicago! But hey, when you pass silly stupid laws, and get smacked around, you end up paying up..BTW, that check, was only the first...of several....

[jmg257]

16. 1400 people responsible for 80-90% of the violence. And the police know who they are.

Likely an easier way to deal with this problem then hoping for federal gun control laws that will not happen.

Need the legislators and judicial system to grow some, maybe get more constructive, and back the police.

[benEzra]

19. Gun control advocates are demanding legislation banning rifle handgrips that stick out,

and limiting magazine capacities to 2/3 of an 1866-vintage Winchester. Neither of which would affect Chicago homicides *at all*.

I'll also point out that those areas outside Chicago where gun ownership rates are much higher have *vastly* lower homicide rates. It's not guns in homes, it's the culture that decades of neglect and dysfunction have created in a handful of Chicago neighborhoods.