Venezuela destroys 30,000 guns

[shortylickens]

http://mobile.reuters.com/mobile/m/FullArticle/CODD/noddlyEnoughNews_uUSTRE5AB3YK20091113

CARACAS (Reuters) - Battling with one of the world's highest murder rates, Venezuela on Wednesday crushed more than 30,000 guns seized from the streets during police raids this year.

Policemen used blow-torches to chop up some of shotguns and pistols. They compacted weapons including home-made pistols into a 5 ton block, said Interior Minister Tarek Al Aisammi.

"Here we have weapons captured in operations during 2009," he said on state television. "This act forms part of the disarmament policies that we have been promoting."

With 13,000 murders in 2007, the last time figures were published, violent crime consistently registers as Venezuelans' main concern in opinion polls.

Gun laws are lax in the South American oil exporter. The government estimates there are 6 million firearms circulating among the population of about 28 million. Venezuela's murder rate is about 8 times that of the United States.

Crime has risen under President Hugo Chavez, who has focused on poverty reduction to tackle violence in poor city neighborhoods.

Anyone wanna lay odds on how and how much this affects gun violence over the next year or two? Keep in mind we are talking about a culture much different from ours.
I am betting it will NOT reduce violent crimes at all.

 

[MotF Bane]

I agree with your assessment entirely. This won't change their violence at all.

 

[QuantumPion]

If the murder rate is high because of organized crime/corrupt police/etc what good will destroying everyone else's guns do?

 

[BoberFett]

I think under the circumstances violent crime will probably decrease a little. Depends on the types of crimes. Organized crime wouldn't be phased at all. Drug rings will just get new guns. Garden variety street crimes could go down a bit though.

Nothing wrong with removing guns from the hands of criminals, that can only help. My only issue is confiscation of weapons from law abiding citizens, even in the US.

 

[DealMonkey]

I only wish we could ship a bunch of the tea-baggers down to Venezuela. You know, so they could witness *actual* socialism instead of the made-up variety they march against in the streets here.

I was also going to throw in "*actual* gun-grabbing unlike the BS fairy tales they tell themselves about Obama," however it appears these destroyed guns were captured from criminals, not ordinary citizens. Ah well. I guess even in socialist hellholes like Venezuela, you're still free to arm yourself to the teeth. Just like here. So it's all good.

 

[nageov3t]

sounds like a good way for Chavez to ensure that he stays in power.

 

[sandorski]

Initial reduction that may creep back up over time. Really depends whose Guns were confiscated and whether there is Economic improvement for the Masses.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

If these weapons were already seized, then it's as good at it gets. More will find their way in.

 

[BoberFett]

I only wish we could ship a bunch of the tea-baggers down to Venezuela. You know, so they could witness *actual* socialism instead of the made-up variety they march against in the streets here.

I wish we could ship a bunch of Democrat cry babies to Venezuela so they could see what actual poverty is like instead of the made-up variety they whine about here.

 

[DealMonkey]

I wish we could ship a bunch of Democrat cry babies to Venezuela so they could see what actual poverty is like instead of the made-up variety they whine about here.

Touché! :biggrin:

 

[Robor]

I wish we could ship a bunch of Democrat cry babies to Venezuela so they could see what actual poverty is like instead of the made-up variety they whine about here.

As someone who has witnessed 'real' poverty in person I can say it is an eye opening experience and a damned sad one. :'(

Edit: Good comeback BTW.

 

[boomerang]

I only wish we could ship a bunch of the tea-baggers down to Venezuela. You know, so they could witness *actual* socialism instead of the made-up variety they march against in the streets here.

The tea baggers march in part to prevent that type of Socialism here. The message is to let the government know they're being watched.

 

[sandorski]

The tea baggers march in part to prevent that type of Socialism here. The message is to let the government know they're being watched.

Nah. They march cause they're scared little monkeys. It doesn't take much Intellect to see that the US problems have nothing to do with any supposed threat from "Socialism".

 

[Moonbeam]

Oh fuck, no wonder I felt a great peterbation in the Force.

 

[Jhhnn]

Yawn. Governments everywhere, our own included, routinely destroy millions of confiscated guns annually...

Venezuela is different... how?

 

[DucatiMonster696]

Venezuela is destorying the peoples ability to challenge the president for life Cesar Chavez under the guise of crime reduction. Of course anyone with an ounce of intelligence understands that criminals have no problem attaining firearms and they do not follow gun laws. This action is just a nice little way to ensure this dictator for life can continue on dragging Venezuela further down into the communist pit of failure.

 

[xj0hnx]

Venezuela is destorying the peoples ability to challenge the president for life Cesar Chavez under the guise of crime reduction. Of course anyone with an ounce of intelligence understands that criminals have no problem attaining firearms and they do not follow gun laws. This action is just a nice little way to ensure this dictator for life can continue on dragging Venezuela further down into the communist pit of failure.

Pretty much, especially consider a few years ago their Army bought around 300,000 brand new AK-101's.

 

[Genx87]

Nah. They march cause they're scared little monkeys. It doesn't take much Intellect to see that the US problems have nothing to do with any supposed threat from "Socialism".

It is this type of denial that can send us over the cliff. I am sure many in VZ shared the same views a decade ago.

 

[Robor]

It is this type of denial that can send us over the cliff. I am sure many in VZ shared the same views a decade ago.

Sweet. I can't wait for Obama to start grabbing up the guns of the Palin, Huckabee, Romney, etc supporters and declare himself dictator. :awe:

 

[Genx87]

Sweet. I can't wait for Obama to start grabbing up the guns of the Palin, Huckabee, Romney, etc supporters and declare himself dictator. :awe:

Sadly, I am sure there are many in this nation who would jump for joy over such an action.

 

[Thump553]

The USA destroys guns seized in crimes as well and has done so for a long, long time. I suspect every civilized country does as well. What would you have done-return the gun to the convict once he/she is released from prison?

Fail subject, this has nothing to do with gun rights whatsoever-unless you argue that crimminals should have the right to possess guns.

 

[lothar]

Violent crime will reduce because average citizens will think twice before commiting crimes. Druglords and warlords will be undetered.
This move is to cement his grip on power.

The more guns he collects off the streets, the less chance of a rebellion happening. Successfully.

I agree with both Boberfett's and DucatiMonster696's conclusion.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

As someone who has witnessed 'real' poverty in person I can say it is an eye opening experience and a damned sad one. :'(

Edit: Good comeback BTW.

Couldn't agree more. I grew up in poverty and...looking back...now consider myself as rich when compared to what I've seen in Venezuela and some of the other Latin American countries. U.S. poverty sucks...but 3rd world poverty sucks way, way more.

 

[tk149]

30,000 out of how many total? Statistically, this means nothing. If there are 10,000 guns left, it might mean something. If there are 300,000 guns left...

I wouldn't trust anything Chavez does though.

 

[Pepsei]

i heard they're banning violent video games too...