That said, I don't see why they'd lie here, and if they had manipulated this data, I imagine it would suggest that the primary weapon used in crimes was the AR-15 (probably with an ultra deadly barrel shroud modification and bayonet lug), not revolvers and hi points.
A piece of advice that I have learned from many years of bitter experience. People never tell you something because the information will benefit you. They tell you something because you having the information will benefit them. So, the primary thing to do is to work out why what they are saying will benefit them. In Chicago its easy. The city is run by the Democrat Party machine and if somebody wants to get somewhere, they do what they are told by that machine. The Democrat Party wants to disarm people so all the information they put out is designed to achieve that end. Their traditional focus has always been to ban handguns because they're the best defense people can have. QED. Ask yourself this. How many pistols did the Chicago police capture that year? How many are in the picture? What are the rest?
I've skimmed a few of thier reports in the past, as far as I've seen they don't have anything showing Chicago's data to be manipulated or dishonest.
Read it carefully and read all of it. It's a long hard job I know but its worth the effort. You'll see how restricted and selective the information Chicago produces is,.
Yes, that data is only based on the guys who got caught, but I don't see anything to suggest there's some hidden population of super crooks using secret criminal tricks to get guns in ways the cops can't fathom. And yes, criminals lie, everyone lies, but given they have no reason to do so here, why would they? Survey's are not totally reliable tools, but they're reliable within a margin of error.
Nobody is talking about some hidden population of super-crooks. Or that they can get guns in ways the police can't fathom. That's childish. What I am pointing out is that, by definition, crooks in jail are crooks that got caught, therefore information derived from them is already tainted by the selectivity built into the base. Also, smart crooks don't get caught (until they do) and therefore have no criminal record and therefore pass NICS.
Surveys might be reliable. Usually they are not. The answers you get are determined by the questions that are asked. Do you remember this scene from Yes Minister?
Bernard Woolley: “He thinks it’s a vote winner”
Sir Humphrey: “Ah, that’s more serious. Sit down. What makes him think that?”
Bernard Woolley: “Well the party have had an opinion poll done and it seems all the voters are in favour of bringing back National Service”
Sir Humphrey: “Well have another opinion poll done to show that they’re agaonst bringing back National Service.”
Bernard Woolley: “They can’t be for and against …”
Sir Humphrey: “Of course they can Bernard! Have you ever been surveyed?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes, but not me actually my house … Oh I see what you mean”
Sir Humphrey: “You know what happens: nice young lady comes up to you. Obviously you want to create a good impression, you don’t want to look a fool, do you? So she starts asking you some questions: Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the number of young people without jobs?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Do you think there is a lack of discipline in our Comprehensive schools?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Do you think young people welcome some authority and leadership in their lives?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Do you think they respond to a challenge?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Would you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?”
Bernard Woolley: “Oh…well, I suppose I might be.”
Sir Humphrey: “Yes or no?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Of course you would, Bernard. After all you told you can’t say no to that. So they don’t mention the first five questions and they publish the last one.”
Bernard Woolley: “Is that really what they do?”
Sir Humphrey: “Well, not the reputable ones no, but there aren’t many of those. So alternatively the young lady can get the opposite result.”
Bernard Woolley: “How?”
Sir Humphrey: “Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Are you worried about the growth of armaments?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Do you think there is a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Do you think it is wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “Would you oppose the reintroduction of National Service?”
Bernard Woolley: “Yes”
Sir Humphrey: “There you are, you see Bernard. The perfect balanced sample.”
metro.co.uk
en.wikipedia.org
