The National Rifle Association objected to CeaseFire Maryland?s recent study that found assault weapons linked to crimes in Maryland every 48 hours.
CeaseFire reported that 789 assault weapons were traced to crimes in Maryland from Jan.2, 1998, to Dec. 31, 2001 ? an average of one weapon every other day ? based on data from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
But CeaseFire officials say the actual number is expected to be higher.
“The paper is nonsense, for a number of reasons,” according to the NRA?s statement titled “CeaseFire Maryland Shooting Blanks.”
“First, it is based entirely upon old BATF firearm tracing data … Most guns that are traced have never been used to commit a violent crime, and most guns that are used to commit violent crimes are never traced.”
NRA officials also said Maryland?s murder rate is 71 percent higher than the national average, despite “increased” gun control restrictions.
But Susan Peschin, the author of CeaseFire?s study, said the NRA?s response is bunk.
“The NRA is clearly grasping at straws in its response to our study,” she said.
“Their statement that ?most of the assault weapons traced in Maryland had nothing to do with violent crimes? is patently false.
“Under federal law, law enforcement cannot trace a firearm unless it has been used in a crime, suspected to be used in a crime or under investigation for use in a crime. …
“In addition, it is ironic that the NRA criticizes the age of the data used for our analysis, since it is the NRA that bullied Congress to restrict public access to more recent data.”
Peschin said her study stands up to the NRA?s scrutiny and should concern residents who don?t want crime in their communities.
“Our study found that on average, a semiautomatic assault rifle is traced to crime every 48 hours,” she said.
“The results have clearly gotten under the NRA?s skin. The truth has a way of doing that.”
