“Overwhelming majorities of Americans – Americans who believe in the 2nd Amendment – have come together around commonsense reform – like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on a gun,” Obama said. “Senators of both parties are working together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale to criminals. Police chiefs are asking our help to get weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off our streets, because they are tired of being outgunned.”
Chicago’s homicide rate skyrocketed to 500 last year for the first time since 2008. The crime wave is spiraling out of control so fast that some law enforcers claim that Americans have a greater chance of being killed in Chicago than U.S. troops do in Afghanistan.
Some black civil rights activists have urged Obama to speak out about the rising homicides in urban centers like Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee. Twelve people have already been murdered in Chicago this year, which could put Chicago on pace for more homicides in one year since 1977.
It’s mostly gang violence in Chicago – and its black men pulling the triggers.
And while Chicago police say they have already confiscated 180 guns so far in 2013, Obama wants even stricter gun control laws.
“Our actions will not prevent every senseless act of violence in this country,” Obama said. “Indeed, no laws, no initiatives, no administrative acts will perfectly solve all the challenges I’ve outlined tonight.”
“But we were never sent here to be perfect,” the president added. “We were sent here to look out for our fellow Americans the same way they look out for one another, every single day, usually without fanfare, all across this country.”
The president is challenging Congress to enact tougher gun control legislation and I’m pleased that Obama emphasized his concern about urban gun violence and his sorrow for a black family in his address to the nation.
(Photo: AP)
I not only speak as a black woman, I speak as a human who cares about mankind as a whole. We have to stop the violence that is running rampant in all of our communities. We have to instill in our children the value of living, respect, knowledge, understanding, and doing what is right. My husband and I were raised by strong, value-driven women who taught us to be productive individuals. This is true not only for us but also for most of our classmates that we went to school and our friends and associates. This goes deeper and beyond just not having dads at home. As you see in the news, these mass murders that are popping up were products of two parent homes and you see how they turned out. Our entire society is under attack and pointing fingers at one side while hiding under a rock is not going to solve anything. We need to work together to stop the violence in our society. Violence is not just a black issue. It is a black and white issue. According to the FBI statistics:
Arrests, by Race, 2011
In 2011, 69.2 percent of all individuals arrested were white, 28.4 percent were black, and 2.4 percent were of other races.
Of all juveniles (individuals under the age of 18) arrested in 2011 in the nation, 65.7 percent were white, 32.0 percent were black, and 2.3 percent were of other races.
Nearly 70 percent (69.7) of all adults (18 years of age and over) arrested in 2011 were white, 27.9 percent were black, and 2.3 percent were of other races.
White individuals were arrested more often for violent crimes than individuals of any other race, accounting for 59.4 percent of those arrests.
The percentages of white adults and black adults arrested for murder were similar, with 48.2
percent being white, and 49.4 percent being black.
Juveniles who were black accounted for 51.4 percent of juvenile arrests for violent crimes.
Juveniles who were white accounted for 62.4 percent of juvenile arrests for property crimes.
Of the juveniles arrested for driving under the influence, 91.6 percent were white.
Juveniles who were white accounted for 72.9 percent of the persons under 18 who were arrested for arson in 2011.
This president(obama) has no interest in working with the republicans in helping this country solve its problems. He knows this is his last time in office and would rather see this country go under and lay blame on republicans. this way he thinks people will be so upset that in 2014 they will vote for more democrats, thus seizing control of the white house, senate and house of representatives and complete the liberal agenda of government controlling everything. He knows that most people (liv-low information voters) will vote democratic as long as the government promises to take care of their needs. Classic example look at the average black neighborhood and you will see what happens when you depend on the government for your well being. black people need to read more and stop depending on (al sharpton,micheal baisden,jesse jackson, tom joyner etc…)for instructions and start forming their own opinions.obama has truly screwed this country up financially because of his inexperience and surrounding himself with political and financial novices.
i want to no is when is the wage is going up from 7.25 up to 9.00 dollars and hour is this for real or a big joke
Does Cottman get paid for stupidity? I think so!
The Urban areas he talks about have the highest rate of gun control…. and ooops the highest crime rates. Whooaaaa the lowest crime rates are in areas with the least restrictive gun laws. Perhaps, Cottman needs to look at what has changed…. He should ask what has happened to our young minority youth? Does he realize 3 % of the population (black males between 18-34) cause 52% of the gun violence. The biggest change has been the destruction of the Minority family the past 40 years…. these kids need DADS to raise and give our children morals and be responsible and respectful young adults. Perhaps Cottman needs to look a little deeper at the TRUE problems and quit looking at the symptoms of our decay.
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