Monday, September 27, 2010

FT.com / Reportage - Kennesaw, where everyone is armed by law

FT.com / Reportage - Kennesaw, where everyone is armed by law

Kennesaw’s crime rate has remained disproportionately low, even as the town’s population swelled from 5,000 in 1982 to almost 35,000 now. According to the latest FBI statistics, Kennesaw recorded 31 violent crimes – mainly robberies and aggravated assaults – during 2008. In other similar-sized local towns the figures were much higher – 127 in Dalton and 188 in Hinesville. For property crimes – largely burglaries and thefts – Kennesaw recorded 555 while Dalton had 1,124 and Hinesville 1,802.
Samantha Ellis with her lightweight Kimber Ultra Carry .45
Samantha Ellis, 26, a Kennesaw resident, with her lightweight Kimber Ultra Carry .45

“Firearms are involved in less than 2 per cent of the crime around here,” confirms Craig Graydon, a police lieutenant who has served in Kennesaw for 24 years. “If nothing else, [the firearms law] draws a lot of attention to the importance of crime prevention.” Though it will give liberals heartburn, Kennesaw’s gun policy works.

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