Public Concern About Crime Falls with Crime Rate

The Washington Post included this graphic in an article that purports to show a "broad evolution in Cuccinelli’s views on crime and punishment."

Rather than focus on the article, which is more of a thinly veiled swipe at Cuccinelli charging he has become the "kinder - gentler" Republican when it comes to crime, let's focus on the chart.  You'll note the continuing theme of the last couple of weeks - that crime has reduced dramatically in Virginia.  Over the last 18 years, the crime rate has reduced 42%.  At the same time, we know that over the last 6 years, the sale of firearms in the state has increased 75%.

So while Bloomberg wants to claim that his crime problems are due to Virginia guns, it would seem that the large number of firearms in the Commonwealth has not negatively impacted the safety of Virginians.