I honestly never thought I would be putting this page up, but in recent weeks Police Chiefs around the country are openly stating that "armed" Americans help present crime, not increase it!  Given that most Americans who own a gun never commit a crime with that gun, WE Thank You!

Detroit Police Chief says, Good
Americans Are Armed".

Detroit’s new police chief has seemingly made an immediate impact. The murder rate dropped by almost 14% in 2013 from its record breaking high in 2012, and the police department’s rate of clearing murders has climbed in that time as well. Now he’s talking openly about another way to lower the crime and murder problem… arming law abiding citizens.

When we look at the good community members who have concealed weapons permits, the likelihood they’ll shoot is based on a lack of confidence in this Police Department,” Craig said at a press conference at police headquarters, adding that he thinks more Detroit citizens feel safer, thanks in part to a 7 percent drop in violent crime in 2013.

Craig said he started believing that legal gun owners can deter crime when he became police chief in Portland, Maine, in 2009.

“Coming from California (Craig was on the Los Angeles police force for 28 years), where it takes an act of Congress to get a concealed weapon permit, I got to Maine, where they give out lots of CCWs (carrying concealed weapon permits), and I had a stack of CCW permits I was denying; that was my orientation.

“I changed my orientation real quick. Maine is one of the safest places in America. Clearly, suspects knew that good Americans were armed.”
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Police Chief's Support
Manchin-Toomey Amendment

Vote Of Confidence For Public Safety And 2nd Amendment Rights Protection Act

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has announced its strong support for The Public Safety And Second Amendment Rights Protection Act.  U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) are sponsors of the bill that will prohibit a national gun registry, allow concealed carry permit holders to skip background checks altogether, and enable active duty military to buy a gun in their home state. The bill can be read here.

Kenneth Coppola, Chief of Police, Aldan Police Department in Delaware County said: "As a local police chief, my top priority is keeping our communities safe. Keeping guns out of the hands of individuals with a violent criminal background or who have been determined by a court of law to be mentally deficient is common sense and will enable us to better protect our residents. For responding to concerns of the law enforcement community on the need for expanded background checks, I thank Senator Toomey for standing up to the extremes on both sides and finding a reasonable solution to a dangerous problem."  READ MORE

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IACP PRESS RELEASE  April 2013

POLICE CHIEFS SUPPORT BACKGROUND CHECK DEAL

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) today announced its strong support for the "Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act" (also known as Manchin-Toomey.)  The legislation would increase both the coverage and effectiveness of the current background check system and help deny criminals and other prohibited purchasers easy access to firearms.

"Background checks work," stated IACP President Craig Steckler, "Keeping firearms out of the hands of prohibited purchasers is a key factor in reducing gun violence in our communities and protecting our officers. For far too long, those who were denied the ability to buy a firearm from a commercial dealer were able to secure a weapon at either a gun show, over the internet, or some other form of 'private sale'.  Under the provision of Manchin-Toomey, we have the opportunity to finally close many of these loopholes and, as a result, reduce the level of violence faced by our officers and our citizens on a daily basis." 

In addition, to announcing its support for Manchin-Toomey, the IACP also reaffirmed its support for the "Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms" Act which will also be considered by the Senate in the near future.   This legislation provides law enforcement officials with the tools we need to investigate and prosecute gun traffickers and straw purchasers, who buy guns for people who are prohibited from obtaining them on their own.

"Straw purchasing and firearms trafficking puts guns into the hand of those that are prohibited from possessing them," stated Steckler. "The ability to effectively target straw purchasers is critical to protecting our communities."

The IACP is confident," concluded Steckler, "that these provisions, combined with the enhanced background check system outlined under Manchin-Toomey, will help reduce violence and save lives in our communities."

The International Association of Chiefs of Police is the world's largest association of law enforcement executives. With over 21,000 members in more than 100 countries, the IACP serves as the professional voice of law enforcement. Building on their past success, the IACP addresses cutting edge issues confronting law enforcement through advocacy, programs and research, as well as training and other professional services. IACP is a comprehensive professional organization that supports the law enforcement leaders of today and develops the leaders of tomorrow.