I'm Pete du Pont with the National Center for Policy Analysis. Al Gore has accused George W. Bush of being out of step by supporting a law granting Texans the right to carry concealed firearms. But on concealed carry, Bush, and Texas, are in the mainstream. Thirty other states have similar laws.
So on the fifth anniversary of the Texas law, let's see if opponents' dire predictions — reduced safety, more crime and criminals undeterred by an armed public — have come true.
According to an NCPA study, Texas concealed carry holders are 5.7 times less likely to be arrested for violent offenses and 14 times less likely for non-violent offenses, than the general public.
In the early 1990s, Texas serious crime rate was 38 percent above the national average. Since then it's dropped 50 percent faster than for the nation as a whole. Concealed carry's likely a factor, because where it is in effect, it reduces murder, rape and severe assault.
Gore may have the rhetoric on this one, but Bush has the facts.
Those are my ideas, and at the NCPA we know ideas can change the world. I'm Pete du Pont. Next time, labor self-destructs.