Knife Crime Is Out of Control!!!

[TheUnknownGrower]

i carry a spoon

scares them off.its way more brutal

[columnmine]

UR video sux, why can't they have killed you, I better phone up eric and dylan to shoot u. god i would like to shoot ur head off

[Gunfucius]

The reason that people have to defend themselves about 2 million times a year is because our country has been too soft on serious crimes, and too tough on victimless offenses like pot smoking. The real violent ones too often get paroled after a relatively short time period, then go out to reoffend. So, suprise- the answer isn't gun control... it's criminal control. Should be common sense, but that's an oxymoron these days.

[Gunfucius]

I don't understand how some people here are under the impression that the UK is safer than the US. The opposite is true. According to the most recent data from the British Home Office, there were 2,420,000 violent crimes commited in a one-year period. Considering that the UK population was around 60,609,153 at that time, this adds up to around 3,992.8 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants..

[Gunfucius]

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report from the same time period (2005-2006), the violent crime rate in the US per 100,000 inhabitants was 469.2. Even compared to the CIA Factbook's violent crime stats for the UK (2,300 per 100,000), the US is INCREDIBLY safe compared to the UK. You couldn't pay me enough to live in that crime infested country. Sadly, that is what many people would have the US reduced to.

[Gunfucius]

I'm not sure what the Homicide rates are for the UK and the US, but I can look them up shortly (when I feel like it, probably later tonight or tomorrow). I'm not saying that the reason your country is so dangerous compared to the US is because citizens don't have access to guns to defend themselves with, as there are so many different factors that come into play when it comes to violent crime rates; however, one wonders when they look at the giant difference in our violent crime rates.

[Gunfucius]

If you don't believe the stats (which you likely won't. Most anti-gunners that I've talked to were in complete shock and denial when presented with the actual statistics regarding violent crime in the UK/US) I don't know what to tell you, as the Home Office and the FBI are about the most credible sources out there for crime statistics. Its all there in black and white.

[TheBritishWatcher]

Theres only one "big" party that supports giving everyone a gun here and thats the BNP, if that party ever came to power which it wont (currently get less than 1%) id be leaving the UK anyway because its not a place id want to live anymore.

Guns may work for America, but they dont work here. sorry

[TheBritishWatcher]

Gunfucius you make a good case for CCW in American states but i am not hear arguing for a gun ban in the United States. I am simply here to oppose the idea that the people of the UK should reduce or relax their gun laws, and the stats back me up on this matter.

The fact remains that if we suddenly flood our country with guns by giving millions more the right to own them then our crime rates related to guns are going to sky rocket. Its simply unacceptable and not a path the UK will ever go down

[prooc]

I thought when you banned guns a few years ago the crime rate in your country skyrocketed. So actually the facts aren't on your side, you're just ignorant.

[TheBritishWatcher]

Umm we have seen a general rise in violent crime but the numbers of murders havnt sky rocketed since the ban happened and we see a decline in firearm murders.

There are only about 50 firearm murders in England every year, not bad for a country with a population of 50 million. Giving everyone guns is going to make things worse, because instead of stabbing each other like people do now they will start shooting each other,

[TheBritishWatcher]

The facts are very much still on my side. You are 3 times more likely to be killed in the USA than in England, ur 30 times more likely to be shot dead in the USA than in England.

Americans make me laugh when they try to encourage others to follow their view on gun laws, especially a couple of days after a guy shoots dead 8 people in a nursing home. School shootings happen so much there i guess people need to be a bit original,

[prooc]

You're mixing cause and effect. The reason our crime rate isn't so high is because of people, not guns. If the sale of all guns were banned nation wide tomorrow and the crime rate would increase. Why don't you english idiots ban meat cleavers next because of all of your stabbings. God knows it sure worked when you took away the guns from fox hunters.

[TheBritishWatcher]

If the USA banned guns tomorrow i agree it wouldnt solve ur problems, but im not here arguing for the USA to change their attitude to guns, although u do have a huge problem.

This is about Britain, the vast majority of people in the UK do not own guns and dont want them. 90% of the British police are unarmed, wed be foolish to think we need to give people guns if most of our police dont even have them.

Easier to take people hostage and kill a dozen people in a school with a gun than a knife.

[Gunfucius]

Some more stats and facts, courtesy of the FBI Uniform Crime Report 1992:

"Violent crime rates are highest overall in states with laws severely limiting or prohibiting the carry of concealed firearms for self-defense."

"The total Violent Crime Rate is 26% higher in the restrictive states than in the less restrictive states."

"The Homicide Rate is 49% higher in the restrictive states than in the states with less restrictive CCW laws."

Hold on, I have more...

[Gunfucius]

"The Robbery rate is 58% higher in the restrictive states than in the less restrictive states."

"The Aggravated Assault rate is 15% higher in the restrictive states than in the less restrictive states."

"Americans use firearms for self-defense more than 2.1 million times annually. By contrast, there are about 579,000 violent crimes commited annually with firearms of all types. 70% of violent crimes are commited by 7% of criminals, including repeat offenders."

[Gunfucius]

...So statistically, guns are used about 3.6 times more often for self-defense than they are for commiting crimes. Another interesting stat is that 99.9% of self-defense firearm uses do not result in fatal shootings of criminals. All this is according to the FBI, one of the most reliable sources for crime statistics in the USA. And wait, there's more... :D

[Gunfucius]

"Of incarcerated felons surveyed by the Department of Justice (DoJ), 34% have been driven away, wounded, or captured by armed citizens; 40% have decided against commiting crimes for fear thier would-be victims were armed."

"Using the most recent FBI data (1992), homicide trends in the 17 states (there are more that have unrestrictive CCW now) with less restrictive CCW laws compare FAVORABLY against national trends, and almost all CCW permittees are law-abiding."

[Gunfucius]

(Just gonna use Oregon as an example here, since it pretty much mirrors stats in other CCW states): "Of 14,000 CCW licensees in Oregon, only 4 (0.03%) were convicted of the criminal (not necessarily violent) use or possesion of a firearm."

[Gunfucius]

Keep in mind that all this data and the quotes came from the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 1992. While it may be old data, the CCW laws haven't changed much, other than the fact that more states have adopted CCW. So while you may "feel" less safe in CCW states, you would actually be statistically safer than if you lived in a non-CCW state.

[Gunfucius]

Why is this, you may ask? The reason is simple: The people who go through the trouble to get a CCW permit don't generally commit crimes crimes, and generally possess much more self-control and common sense than the average non-CCW licensee. The people who do commit violent crimes aren't going to go through the trouble to get a CCW permit, they just carry illegally (not many could get a permit any way, as most have criminal records). My point is, you have nothing to fear from CCW licensees.

[TheBritishWatcher]

Well the 34% is a very interesting stat, kinda makes u wonder what the police are doing if armed militias have to place 1/3rd of people under citizens arrest ;| I fully accept 100% that if every single household had a gun that would put off alot of people from breaking in to steal goods. However a burglar alarm can put off quite alot of people as well without risking lives.

Whats important to me is the most serious crime. Homocide. Now what ever stat u can produce it wont show the US is better

[TheBritishWatcher]

This is a fact i hear several times ""Americans use firearms for self-defense more than 2.1 million times annually"

Thats ALOT if it were true. Your meaning of self defense probably isnt my meaning of the word. If people had to defend themselves with a gun over 2 million times each year, how come theres only 2 million in US prisons?

Im sorry but if u need to defend urself with a gun, the other person should be sent to prison. Where are all these "criminals" that people defend themselves from

[TheBritishWatcher]

70% of violent crime are committed by criminal. Hmm well anyone that commits violent crime is a criminal so it probably should be higher

My problem on this point is people dont always start out as criminals. They dont come out of their mothers and declare themselves criminals. They start off as innocent civilians, they may not turn to crime until their 20s and guess what they may have applied and got a gun by then or get it from their parents

When people become criminals i dont want them armed

[TheBritishWatcher]

Crime report in 1992? shees thats going back a bit, we need something far more fresh please.

[martinaee]

I agree with a lot in this video, but WTF was that statement at the end where you basically stereotype "most" of America as neurotic? I think you will find statistically that people are just as "neurotic" in other countries of the world as in the U.S.A.

[BryanAJParry]

Just telling it how I see it.

[Gunfucius]

I don't know about the U.K., but here in the U.S., most people who carry knives, carry them for utilitarian purposes such as opening plastic clamshell packages and such. I end up using the knife I carry almost every day for something like that. I know many people from the U.K. that carry a knife for the same reasons. Most people who carry one don't consider their knives primarily as weapons, and if they do, it's strictly as a last ditch self defense weapon.

[Gunfucius]

Why some people feel the need to legislate against one of mankind's oldest and most useful tools is beyond me.

[Gunfucius]

I'm willing to bet that if there were 19 baseball bat or hammer murders in London this year, there would not be ourcries of "restrict hammers," or "restrict baseball bats," even though hammers and baseball bats are more effective weapons than knives.

[BryanAJParry]

Absolutely agreed.

[MannyFandango]

You are right on the money mate.

Words create reality. What we read in the paper alters the way we walk down the street.

Thats my slightly pretentious way of saying, kudos sir!

[VanessaRox124]

I LOVE YOUR ACCENT!! =]

[BryanAJParry]

Well, thanks a lot. :) Fancy an autograph :P ;)

[romanblood]

Great video mate. I really likd how you suggest that media over states the issue. Have a look at my video if you get a free minute.

[BryanAJParry]

Will do, man. :)

[TheBritishWatcher]

On the media I agree some are getting a bit carried away however these endless headlines about knife crime and the huge focus that is now being put on it is a very good thing. This violence hasnt popped up over night, its been a slow trend for decades that has been ignored by the media, political party and sadly even the police

The fact people are talking about it, making videos about it, seeing it on the news, means its a top priority for the government to do something which will save lives

[BryanAJParry]

You don't at all think that the constant attention of these attacks creates a kind of glamour that some youths might find appealing...?

[TheBritishWatcher]

A little bit yes however most of these people wil not watch the news or read papers. I think a bigger problem with the constant attention is it makes some people too afraid to go out and live life or carry knives

Every murder is bad, and its right our national media focus on such problems. Americas national media pays no attention to out of control crime rates and there for little is solved.

Its important we continue to highlight the problem but it shouldnt be spun as totally out of control.

[TheBritishWatcher]

I agree with what the conservatives are saying although i dont think its possible considering lack of prison places and funding requirments. The message has to be totally clear.. carrying a knife in public is TOTALLY unacceptable and illegal (unless for obvious reasons like buying cutlery)

Having a gun for "self defense" is NO excuse and knives should be considered the same. Most citizens dont need to carry knives for protection and people must respect the laws of the land which are VERY clear.

[BryanAJParry]

I have to say that I find self-defence to be an absolutely fundamental human right. I think most people would. But, if you have the "right" to defend yourself, but no capacity -- or at least your capacity is extremely restricted -- then you are effectively deprived the right we all know you have. That is to say, the recognition of the right but without the capacity to exercise it is absurd and rather immoral.

[TheBritishWatcher]

Self defense is fine but there has to be a limit and there is no need to give everyone guns so they can defend themselves. Otherwise u end up witha situation like Florida where 100,000s carry guns around with them everywhere they go.

that sort of thing would make me feel less safe

[Gunfucius]

That's the thing, BritishWatcher: Since Florida adopted CCW in 1987, its homicide has fallen 21%, while the US rate has risen 12%. Stat courtesy of the FBI.

[TheBritishWatcher]

Good for florida, our homocide rate has been falling the past few years as well but we managed to do it whilst continuing to clamp down on gun owners and with out mass arming the population.

Now i dont know if this is accurate i did a quick google and found a site "disastercenter" which lists crimes in Florida.

1201 homicdes in 2007. Between 1998 and 2005 it was under 1000, its now rising (if the site im looking at is accurate, apologises if its wrong). it has a population of just under 20m

[TheBritishWatcher]

So lets compare. There were over 1,000 homocides in Florida which has a population of about 20 million. There were less than 1000 homocides in England which has a population of about 50 million.

So in the wonderful Sunshine state of Florida, you are twice as likely to be murdered there than if you were in England despite millions of people running around like its the wild west.

We will keep our ban thanks

[TheBritishWatcher]

Good video although i have to disagree with you on several things.

First of all you are right long prison sentences dont fix people and sending a young person to such an enviornment can and in many cases does lead to them turning to harder crime when they come out. Now that is a failure, rehabilitation is vital to break the endless cycle of crime.. but punishment and protecting the public is also important.

Prisons and youth offending facilities can work, with the right investment and support

[anyfekinnamewilldo]

Well knife crime may have been "politicized" and yes it sells newspapers ATM but that's not 2 say knife crime isn't a serious problem in London. It's been getting progressively worse for decades. To be honest I don't think it to be unreasonable to remove people who carry knives from society for the safety of those of us who don't. Sentencing should also consider previous offences. If people are scum get them off the street.

[BryanAJParry]

Two points.

1. I say knife crime seems to be rising, and we need tothink about how to address this. You imply I deny this reality.

2. Why exactly is it scummy to bear a knife? The right to self-defence is about as fundamental as rights get. For example, I think any woman who finishes her pub job at 1am has good cause to want to bear a knife.

[anyfekinnamewilldo]

1. Well you suggest it's exaggerated in the media, whilst I point out that it just happens to be flavour of the month. So how do you suggest we deal with it as a society?

2. Not a valid analogy as very few women carry knives for protection if any at all! I've never met one anyway and it would be unadvisable to do so. People who carry knives are scummy as they tend to use them to stab people ;-)

[BryanAJParry]

Yeah, I just don't think you're getting this.

1. Your first sentence here is just you agreeing with me. Your second sentence shows you didn't watch the vid :P

2. It is a fundamental right to defend oneself. Yet you think it is not a fundamental riht, but in fact scummy to defend oneself. I suggest you justify this point.

[anyfekinnamewilldo]

Ok I'll be brief

1. U suggest media "makes problem seem worse than it actually is"..no I disagree it's totally out of control..(BTW have u ever lived in London??)

2. I've never heard of a stabbing in self defence so without meaning to labour my point this really isn't a valid argument. The perpetrators tend to be (in London) gangs of young black men, I think it's best they are removed from everyday society as they r a menace.

Clear enough?

[anyfekinnamewilldo]

Better add..those who are caught with knives!..irrespective of ethnic origin ;-)

[BryanAJParry]

1. Erm, yes, I do live in London. Always have. As I already said, there does seem to be a problem, but the press coverage is totally unhelpful, and is helping to create a climate of fear. That you seem to think the sky is falling in goes to show how far the media has driven some.

2. You've never heard of the idea of someone using weapons to defend themselves? Wow, what world do you come from? Essentially, I reckon we need more weapons, not less.

[anyfekinnamewilldo]

hi m8..

1) no I don't think the sky is falling in m8, I nearly got stabbed a couple of yrs back and nearly lost a m8 who was stabbed 9 times.

2)I've never heard of someone stabbing to death someone in self defence. Fair comment though maybe it's time people took up arms if our gov't is unwilling or unable to protect us. Point taken!

[Guncriminal]

Yes, the right to self-defence is the right under which all other rights must be subordinated.

At the end of the day, it's better to end up being judged by twelve people in a courtroom than act like a mindless, blindly-obedient drone (like BritishWatcher) and end up in a wooden box being carried by six.

When it comes to scum, the thugs who go around stabbing people for stupid reasons can't hold a candle to those think that we ought to put some government edict above our own survival.

[BryanAJParry]

Essentially, yes. :(

Now we're being told by everyone that it is morally unacceptable for anyone to carry a weapon. Erm, what the frick.

[frostieriyat]

From what ur saying, u think that media is a really big problem in this society we live in today. I have to agree with u, everytime i open up the sun every morning, all i see is a front page stating oh, " the knife epidemic that is affecting our everyday lives has risen by so n so". It just glamourises it in a negative effect

[BryanAJParry]

A free media is basically essential to a free society. However, it can have too much power. And, being a powerful and controlling group (or group-cluster) it has similar goals to other such groups in society, e.g. politicians. So it's all rather tricky for us.

It seems to me that capitalism is part of the problem in this instance. I mean, why do papers and TV sensationalise so much? Why would they act this way if revenue wasn't involved? It's a paradox I don't like, cos I am a capitalist.

[Vidrinskas]

Dear me. It's called political rhetoric Bry. And yes, it is bullshit. It nearly always is roll roll. Cameron will say any old crap to get the frightened old lady (and other people) to vote for him. Wake up and smell.....everything.

[BryanAJParry]

I know it's political rhetoric. But you seem to be implying this all has no effect on anything whatsoever.

[Vidrinskas]

What has no effect? Rhetoric? No it doesn't. Next question.

[BryanAJParry]

Tone, wake up and smell the universe, mate.

[Vidrinskas]

Wake up and smell reality buster.

[reyazul1218]

Wow, you guys are getting as bad as the U.S. with your societal wars. We fight the War on Drugs, you fight the War on Knives. We fight the War on Terror, you fight the War on Alcohol On The Tube. What happened to the days when I could honestly say that you lot had it better than us? :p

[BryanAJParry]

Seriously, Chris, it's totally fucked. I'm always amazed at how the two countries with the greatest legal and political traidition in the history of the world (that is, of Locke, Jefferson, etc) are so full of shit nowadays. WTF has happened to us? Seriously!?!

[WizardJim]

Vote Lib Dem - A party with no policy can't fuck up, it's genius!

[WizardJim]

And you're absolutely right, if anything then draconian sentencing and over-zealous prosecution will raise the problem.

[BryanAJParry]

Absolutely. Violent crime is, of course, an issue that needs dealing with. Always has been, always will be. Banging people up isn't actually gonna fix shit. It's just politicians strutting around like the cocks they are.

[BryanAJParry]

Heh! Too true. But be thankful that at least we have a choice between three useless parties, and not two like those unfortunates in the States.