Firing Back at Menino

Got this link at Alphecca.

Looks like the US Attorney for N.H. is pointing out some problems with Boston Mayor Menino's statements regarding the recent gun crime increases in that city and the relationship to neighboring states whose laws aren't as stupid as those in Massachusetts.

The U.S. attorney for New Hampshire is firing back against charges that lax gun control laws in northern New England are partly responsible for an increase in gun crimes in Boston.

U.S. Attorney Thomas Colantuono told Foster's Sunday Citizen that's an "urban myth" that doesn't stand up to the facts.

Data collected by the federal "Project Safe Neighborhoods" show that most of the guns used in Massachusetts crimes come from within that state, Colantuono said. The data also show that fewer than 10 percent of the guns used in Massachusetts crimes come from New Hampshire; instead, Georgia is the top source of out-of-state guns.

Also, many of the guns traced back to New Hampshire were sold several years ago, belying Boston officials' claims that New Hampshire guns are contributing to a recent surge in shootings and other gun crimes, he said.

Imagine that.

Gov. John Lynch "does not believe we need any changes in our gun laws in New Hampshire," but would be willing to talk with Massachusetts officials and federal agents about better enforcement, said his spokeswoman, Pamela Walsh.

Sexton said Boston Police don't believe there's any magic bullet that will solve the problem.

"We're not trying to point the finger at anybody," he said. "We're trying to stem firearms violence in the city of Boston."

Not trying to point fingers? Bullshit.

A Boston Police spokesman, Sgt. Thomas Sexton, said stricter gun laws in northern New England would help solve the problem. Massachusetts requires residents to pay $100 for a state permit when buying any gun; New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont do not require state permits.

While some guns used in Massachusetts crimes still come from the South and the West Coast, city police are finding more guns "coming from a lot closer to home," Sexton said.

If you're not pointing fingers, then why these statements? Of course you're pointing fingers. Maybe you should do something about enforcing your own laws instead of blaming other states for your problems. Especially when your facts are a bit more than questionable. Or has Sexton missed that little federal law that prohibits the sale of guns to out of state buyers unless the buyer holds an FFL? No permit is required, just a federal law.