Rev. Al Sharpton: Let's talk about [gun] violence in black neighborhoods

[jody]

Rev. Al Sharpton: Let's talk about violence in black neighborhoods

"Last year alone, nearly one black child a day under the age of 17 was shot and killed in New York City. Shot mostly by other black city residents," Sharpton said.

"Shootings and violence within our community by one of our own is an outrage and an issue that we must confront as diligently and as passionately as a sensational case of police misconduct or brutality."

Four gun battles in one three-hour period in Harlem Memorial Day weekend wounded 10 people - including a 15-year-old girl hit at a barbecue. A 15-year-old boy was also shot dead after a house party on the upper West Side.

Gov. Paterson joined local community leaders in an emergency summit Sunday to discuss toughening gun laws and trying to reverse unemployment rates.

I thought NYC already had the toughest gun laws in the nation.

Perhaps the problem is sentences for using a gun when committing a crime are served concurrently with other sentences.

If so, IMO a sentence for using a gun when committing a crime is ineffective.

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. NYPD just had a kid cop for day. Let Al shove it.

If you don't watch our local news, the timing for this OP is so apt ... instead of being part of the solution, good ol' Sharpton is seeking attention for himself. Up in Albany, they just had a press conference on this issue. Yes, they want to clean up their 'hoods ... what is it to you?

[jody]

2. "what is it to you?" It's obvious that banning firearms is not working so what do you propose? n/t

[Fredda Weinberg]

3. I did mine ... NYPD put me through the citizen's academy to hear more.

If our state's governor and the rest of our local representatives want to strengthen laws that affect their kids, more power to 'em. In fact, this emphasis away from quality of life issues to law and order is a welcome change. I may not like our new governor, but won't let Al dis him by pretending that Basil's son doesn't care. Obviously he does ... but if all he can do is champion law enforcement while his consitutents are scared ... at least he's supporting legitimate authority - not defying it.

[TPaine7]

4. I think DC holds the title for the most unconstitutional,

draconian and anti-human gun laws. That's generally what the enemies of freedom mean by "tough."


"Last year alone, nearly one black child a day under the age of 17 was shot and killed in New York City. Shot mostly by other black city residents,"


I take his word for it.


"Shootings and violence within our community by one of our own is an outrage and an issue that we must confront as diligently and as passionately as a sensational case of police misconduct or brutality."

Absolutely true. This should be said more and incentives--positive and negative, carrots and sticks--should be used to change the culture of violence.



Gov. Paterson joined local community leaders in an emergency summit Sunday to discuss toughening gun laws and trying to reverse unemployment rates.


If it is legal for convicted adult criminals and juvenile delinquents to keep and bear guns arms in NY, they need to hold an overnight legislative session to fix the problem.

[krispos42]

5. I kind of doubt that number

New York has about two homicides a day now. Used to be a lot worse, about three times as high maybe 20 years ago or so.

But if one under-17 black kid is killed a day, that's 365 a year. But the highest population that is murder victims is consistantly the 18-24 age group.



Not to mention that NYC also has a huge population of Latinos, whites, and Asians.


Something doesn't jibe.