FROM: Neal and Melissa Seaman
LOC.: Loris, Horry County, South Carolina
EMAIL: Neal(at)PublicRights.org
PHONE: 843-716-0511
Letter to the Editor:
The Safety Ordinance* will not
cost the city or county one dime, yet will both cut violent crime down
to the bone and increase property values and business revenue.
The Bad News:
Police reports show that in 2003, Loris' violent and property crime levels
exceeded South Carolina's average. While the nation enjoyed a decrease
in violent and property crimes, Loris was one of the few towns that increased
its crime index. In 2003, Horry County's crime levels also increased in
rape, robbery, burglary, larceny, abductions, vandalism and MVT (motor
vehicle theft). In 2004, Horry County PD reported an all-time high of
37,006 investigations, and again increases in robbery, aggravated assault,
burglary and MVT. [SOURCES: Horry County Police Department; South Carolina
Law Enforcement Division; Federal Bureau of Investigation.] Horry County
murders for 2005 (18 so far) have already passed 2004 numbers (8) and
the year is not over yet. [SOURCE: The Sun News, 8/20/05] Additionally,
police response time in Horry County has increased from 7 minutes to 13
(which doesn't really matter, since police are not responsible for protecting
individuals).
The GOOD News:
Since passing the ordinance* in March 1982, the citizens of Kennesaw, GA,
have seen ZERO crimes committed with guns, ZERO children shot accidentally,
and their overall crime stats have dropped to the single digits. Meanwhile,
their population has increased 325% and is still rising. People buy property
and open businesses in Kennesaw because the town has something substantial
to offer. No money was spent implementing this ordinance, yet the town
is now one of the safest in America - because every household (unless
they opt-out) must be armed - and potential criminals know it! It is voluntary.
There is NO registration, NO checks on participating households, and ANYONE
CAN OPT-OUT WITHOUT PENALTY. The only thing the ordinance does is send
a message to the bad guys saying that Criminal Behavior Is Not Tolerated
Here - Citizens Are Armed And Ready To Protect Themselves, Their Families,
And Their Homes. And it works.
*The
Safety Ordinance:
Code of Ordinances & Gun Law. Sec. 34-1. Heads of households
to maintain firearms.
(a) In order to provide for the emergency management of the City (county),
and further in order to provide for and protect the safety, security and
general welfare of the city (county) and its inhabitants, every head of
household residing in the City (county) limits is required to maintain
a firearm, together with ammunition therefore.
(b) Exempt from the effect of this section are those heads of households
who suffer a physical or mental disability, which would prohibit them
from using such a firearm.
Further exempt from the effect of this section are those heads of households
who are paupers or who conscientiously oppose maintaining firearms as
a result of beliefs or religious doctrine, or persons convicted of a felony.
|
Press Release: 
