Florida: Record high carry permits, record low violence

A Fort Myers police officer is seen walking on American Avenue near Davis Court where the scene of a drive by shooting occurred late night Sept. 23, 2012 in Fort Myers. Authorities identified the shooting to be from the local rap group the Lake Boyz. A 19-year-old man, Jamaris Williams, died in the incident. Paul Baldwin, 19, and Tommy Williams, 18, suffered non life-threatning injuries. Photo by COREY PERRINE, Naples Daily News.

You probably didn’t see this story in your local newspaper and your surely didn’t see it on the CBS Evening News. Record high permits issued for citizens to carry firearms and a record low of firearm violence. You do the math. It’s not rocket science.

Contrast that with Chicago’s non-issuance of carry licenses and recent increases of senseless violence…

Florida firearm violence hits record low; concealed gun permits up

(Naples Daily News) – In the so-called Gunshine State, home to the most gun permits in the country, firearm violence has fallen to the lowest point on record.

As state and national legislators consider gun control laws in the wake of last month’s Connecticut school shooting, Florida finds itself in a gun violence depression. The Firearm-involved violent crime rate has dropped 33 percent between 2007 and 2011, while the number of issued concealed weapons permits rose nearly 90 percent during that time, state records show.

“We’re happy to have facts and statistics put into these debates, because every time they do, we win,” said Sean Caranna, executive director of Florida Carry Inc., a pro-gun-rights advocacy group.