GUILFORD — Gerard Cloutier writes that he feels very safe in Vermont, refutes any presidential responsibility for a rise in “violent crime,” and presents statistics to demonstrate that, in fact, there has been no rise in violent crime during the current administration.
As Mark Twain said, “There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
Here are the numbers Mr. Cloutier left out.
Despite a 43-percent drop in overall violent crime since the 1990s, mass shootings have increased dramatically since the Federal Assault Weapons Ban sunset in 2004.
According to Statistica, a nonpartisan statistical tracking website, there were 39 mass shootings in the United States between 2009 and 2016. From 2017 until Aug. 9, 2019, there have been 30.
I believe this is sufficient reason to take action.