Hey,

Damn, the country seems more divided than ever. I don’t get it, but maybe I’m just a simpleton who was brought up to believe in freedom, education, and strength were virtues.

I actually see so many things as opportunities to be stronger, more free, and more resilient, not more regulated and more reliant on the government. Ah, but what the hell do I know?



Let’s hit the news. The weekend of the first of February is right around the corner and the kick-off of the V-Twin Show in Cincinnati, where all the new products for our industry will be released, discussed, and shared with dealers all over the country, but it also marks the start of the year industry wise.

Yeah, you got to slack for a couple of weeks. It’s time to get in gear and hang on. From Cincy then there’s Columbus, Daytona, Laughlin and the year is in full swing with major events almost every weekend.



Bikernet just opened its manufacturing arm, making gas tanks for Rick Krost (U.S. Choppers) board track models. The frames are made by Paughco. Our official certified welder Tobey is the man on the job, and we will bring you coverage in the very near future.



Let’s hit the news, before my head begins to spin and I start to discuss content coming to Bikernet.





ZIPPER’S PERFORMANCE PRODUCT SPENT WEEKS PREPARING FOR V-TWIN EXPO--We are excited to make the annual trek to Cincinnati, Ohio and meet with our customers from around the world. We anticipate a great time, and look forward to meeting new dealers, too! Check us out and see why we have been an industry leader for over 30 years.

At the V-Twin Expo, you get a unique opportunity to speak with Zipper's Performance about our many new products and exciting performance solutions, developed to strengthen your business. This year, we are proud to introduce you to new products such as New ThunderMax EFI applications, Red Shift Performance Cams, and Red Shift Dual Piston Cam Chain Tensioners - among many others.





BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGISH DEPARTMENT WISHFUL THINKING WORD OF THE DAY--jubilarian \joo-buh-LAIR-ee-uhn\, noun:
A person who celebrates or has celebrated a jubilee, as a nun observing 25 or more years of religious life.
-- O. P. Dolores Enderle, Suzanne Noffke, The Dominicans of Racine, Wisconsin
-- Patrick Ryan, Archbishop Patrick John Ryan His Life and Times



JUNIOR MEMBERS OF AUSSIE MC CLUBS TARGETED--New South Wales organized crime police say they have kicked off the year with a clear goal: to halt the continued expansion of the state's motorcycle clubs from the bottom up.
Police intend to target the unofficial junior members of the clubs, known as nominees or prospects and their associates.

The move comes as police admit despite their best efforts to dismantle outlaw motorcycle clubs, the Comanchero and Rebels are increasing in numbers, especially in the junior ranks.

The Commander of the Gangs Squad, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, said their strategy will focus on the young men who are on the cusp of joining to deter them before they become too entrenched in club business.
Superintendent Katsogiannis said Strike Force Raptor, set up in 2009 as a high-impact operation focusing on outlaw motorcycle clubs and any associated criminal enterprise, would be ''harassing new recruits'.”

''To anyone considering joining up, know that the Raptor Squad are going to be delving into every facet of your life,'' he said





5-BALL RACING STREAMLINED TRIKE COMPETITION--It has a triangulated wheel design, one in front two in back and can attain a land speed of 250 mph but that’s where any Trike analogies end. Its actual top speed is 17,500 mph, weights 172,000 lbs and costs 1.7 billion dollars. The Space Shuttle program began in 1981 and was decommissioned in 2011 and that’s when the Endeavour rolled into the L.A. Science center. The Trike Riders of So Cal rolled out to view this amazing space craft.


http://www.bikernettrikes.com/pages/TRIKE_RIDERS_OF_SO_CAL_AND_THE_WORLDS_FASTEST_TRIKE.aspx





IRON BROTHERHOOD BAR FIGHT-- 'Everybody was swinging at everybody,' witness says of brawl allegedly involving off-duty police officers

Incident reports from the Prescott Police Department paint a picture of an
unruly scene inside a Whiskey Row bar where a fight allegedly occurred Dec.
22, 2012, between members of a police motorcycle club and a bar patron.

The reports were released Thursday evening by the Arizona Department of
Public Safety to The Daily Courier as part of a public records request.

The Iron Brotherhood Motorcycle Club is a men's group made up of active and
retired law enforcement officers from Prescott and Prescott Valley police
departments, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, DPS and other law enforcement
agencies throughout the state.

Witnesses told police that after Iron Brotherhood Motorcycle Club members
entered Moctezuma's Bar on Dec. 22, some members fought with a bar patron,
then swung at bar employees trying to break it up.

One witness told investigating officers she jumped behind the bar because men wearing black vests "were coming up to the bar" and "everybody was swinging at everybody."

Another witness said "he did not know what to do, because he knew the group of bikers to be police officers," according to PPD reports.

Earlier that evening, about 20 Iron Brotherhood members wearing black vests displaying their club's name held a party with wives and girlfriends in a back room at Hooligan's Pub.

Witnesses told officers "they were a rowdy group," the bar "cut off about 90 percent of them from alcohol by the time the party ended," and "the whole group was acting like some outlaw motorcycle gang," the police reports state.

A bar employee, needing to get past a woman in the bar, said when he put his hand on her to get her attention and ask her to move, a man identified as an Iron Brotherhood member yelled at him and "got in his face," according to the reports.


Several Iron Brotherhood members went on to Moctezuma's, which also has a "no colors" policy, but the members showed bar security their badges and were let in with their motorcycle club vests on.


The Courier is continuing its efforts to obtain the video as well as related reports.


--from Rogue





BOATERS AND BIKERS CROSS COUNTRY TOUR PICKS UP SPEED-- A first-of-its kind cross country boating and motorcycle tour slated to launch May 4, 2013 is gaining momentum and support. The “Boaterz n’ Bikerz Across America: A Hull of a Tour!” incorporates a ten-day motorcycle trip from Florida to California covering 2371 miles, with fun boating and sightseeing stops along the way.

According to event organizer Wanda Kenton Smith, the ride route has been finalized and boat stops and boating venue sponsors are confirmed. She is working toward securing a transport vehicle sponsor, and finalizing hotel accommodations.

The ride route runs from May 4 – 13 and includes three legs. Riders are invited to cruise the entire coast-to-coast trip, or select one or two legs of their choice. Leg one launches from Destin, FL in the Panhandle on May 4, and includes stops in Natchez, MS and Dallas, TX.

Leg two begins in Dallas on May 6 with stops in Lubbock, TX, Santa Fe, NM and Farmington, NM. The final leg runs from Farmington beginning on May 10 and covers territory from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, with stops in Flagstaff, Arizona, through Sedona to the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Palm Desert, CA, ending in San Diego, CA. on May 13.

“Jim Krueger of Regal Boats did a fabulous job organizing a ride route, taking us through some of the most scenic areas of the country, with plenty to see and do along the way,” said Kenton Smith. “What makes our tour unique, of course, is that besides great riding and diverse terrain, we’re also incorporating a great boating component that everyone is sure to enjoy.”

Boating venue sponsors include Legendary Marine of Destin, FL who is hosting the kick-off captain’s party at the Legendary Yacht Club and providing boats for a dinner cruise in the Destin Harbor; Marinas International in Dallas, TX who is providing a reception and dinner cruise aboard Silver Lake Marina’s 90’ Tejas Charter Boat which will cruise around Lake Grapevine; concluding with a welcome party with afternoon sailing aboard new Beneteaus, hosted by South Coast Yachts of San Diego, to be held at Sunroad Marina.

Soundings Trade Online is also aboard as a media sponsor and will feature a daily blog post by Kenton Smith, its marketing columnist since 1998, while en route.

“Now that we have dates firmed up, we’re hopeful to enlist a group of enthusiastic riders to join us for this exciting adventure and flesh out all the final details,” said Kenton Smith.

The Boaters and Bikers Across America: A Hull of a Tour is designed for seasoned riders with group riding experience. The tour is restricted to those gainfully employed in the boating industry, and their sponsored friends; friends are welcome to join so long as an industry rider is participating.

Kenton Smith – wanda@kentonsmithmarketing.com

RIDE ROUTE

May 3
**Friday night Captain’s Party hosted by Legendary Marine at Legendary Yacht Club with Cruise to Destin Harbor

LEG 1
Day 1 – May 4; 7 am departure from Destin, Legendary Marine
Destin, FL to Natchez, MS – 353 miles; 8.5 hours with 1.5 hours for lunch and fuel stop; arrive 3:30 pm
Afternoon free for sightseeing, tour of Antebellum homes, etc.

Day 2 – May 5; 8 am departure from Natchez
Natchez, MS to Dallas, TX – 323 miles; 6 hours with stop for lunch, fuel
**Evening dinner cruise hosted by Marinas International at Silver Lake Marina aboard 90’ Tejar, cruise around Lake Grapevine

Day 3 – May 6; 8 am departure from Dallas
Dallas, TX to Lubbock, TX – 323 miles; 6.5 hours with lunch and fuel stop; arrive at 2:30

LEG 2
Day 4 – May 7; 8 am departure from Lubbock
Lubbock to Santa Fe, NM – 315 miles; 6.5 hours with lunch and fuel stop
Lots to do in Santa Fe!

Day 5 – May 8; Open Day in Santa Fe
Four Wheel Drive Tour, Sightseeing, Local Riding, etc.

Day 6 – May 9; 8 am departure from Santa Fe
Santa Fe to Farmington, NM – 209 miles, 3. 5 hours
Afternoon open to explore Farmington area

LEG 3
Day 7 – May 10; 7:30 am departure from Farmington
Farmington to Grand Canyon, South Rim – 283 miles, 5 hours;
afternoon jeep tour or ride the rim; south rim to Flagstaff 74 Mi, 1.5 hours

Day 8 – May 11 – 7 am departure from Flagstaff
Flagstaff to Las Vegas via Sedona 359 miles - 9 hours with lunch and fuel stop
**Beautiful mountain ride south through Sedona and then up to Hoover Dam and on into Vegas for night

Day 9 – May 12 – 9 am departure from Vegas
Las Vegas to Palm Desert 295 miles, 6 hours with lunch and fuel stop
Palm Desert play in the afternoon (aerial tram ride in Palm Springs)

Day 10 – May 13 – 9 am departure from Palm Desert
Palm Desert to San Diego – 160 miles – 3-4 hours with fuel stop and break.
**Afternoon party and sailing adventure hosted by South Coast Yachts at Sunroad Resort Marina; Group Farewell Dinner in Old San Diego



DIGITAL DAWG KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM TO BE TESTED ON BIKERNET FXR--Just imagine how awesome it would be to simply get on your bike and ride, then get off and just walk away always knowing your bike is completely secure never needing a key again. That's the power and convenience of the DGD-KIM-HD.
DGD-KIM-HD was our original Keyless Ignition system, designed specifically with Harley in mind. All wire colors directly match the corresponding factory HD wires making install a snap. Eliminating your bike's key switch can open up all sorts of new possibilities for custom dash designs, adding accessories or custom paint work.



Simply carry one of the systems digital RFID “Dawg Tags” with you. When you’re ready to ride, just flip your RUN switch ON, Thumb the start button and GO!


AUSSIE COP CHARGED OVER SEX AT STATION--A Tweed Coast policeman who allegedly had sex with a female detainee at the local police station has been charged with misconduct.

The officer's gun was allegedly used in the offence and he is also facing weapons charges.
”Kingscliff officer Sergeant Mark Anthony Garner, 48, was charged with misconduct, possessing an unauthorized pistol and allowing an unauthorized person to possess a pistol.

He did not appear in Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday to answer the charges but was represented by a solicitor.

A police charge sheet alleged the offences happened at Kingscliff police station between 2am and 4am on September 16 in 2011.
Sgt Garner was charged in November after an internal investigation and has been suspended.
The misconduct charge alleges he had "sexual intercourse with a female at a police station whilst on duty and involving the misuse of a prohibited pistol" - his police issue Glock.

He also allegedly "aided and abetted" the possession of the gun by the woman.
It will be alleged there is photo evidence of the misconduct.

Sgt Garner is also charged with not taking reasonable precautions to ensure that the prohibited weapon did not come into the possession of an unauthorized person.





BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT--  In the news this week, a Southern California man was put under 72-hour psychiatric observation when it was found he owned 100 guns and had (by rough estimate) 1 million rounds of ammunition stored in his home. The house also has a secret escape tunnel.

The television reporter said: "Wow! He has about a million machine gun bullets!"

And the headline referred to it as a "massive weapons cache".

By California standards someone owning even 100,000 rounds would be called "mentally unstable.” If he lived elsewhere, such as Arizona, he'd be called "an avid gun collector."

In Oklahoma, he'd be called "a novice gun collector.”

In Utah, he'd be called "moderately well prepared,” but they'd probably reserve judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food.

In Montana, he'd be called "the neighborhood 'Go-To' guy.”

In Idaho, he'd be called "a likely gubernatorial candidate.”

In Wyoming, he'd be called "an eligible bachelor.”

And... In Texas, he'd be called "a Hunting Buddy.”

--from Rogue







GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW IN POMONA THIS WEEKEND--Making history for the 64th year in a row as the longest running indoor car show in the world, we anticipate one of the most exciting and stunning shows to date. This weekend you will see the finest hot rods, custom, and motorcycles from across the globe.



SHOW HOURS

Friday, January 25 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Saturday, January 26 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Sunday, January 27 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

In Building four you can see the America's Most Beautiful Roadster and Motorcycle Competition.





BIKERNET UNIVERSITY SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT FINDINGS--
Lady: Do you drink?

Man: Yes

Lady: How much a day?

Man: Three 6-packs

Lady: How much cost per 6 pack

Man: about $10.00

Lady: And how long have you been drinking?

Man: 15 years

Lady: So one 6-pack cost $10.00 and you have 3 packs a day which puts your
spending each month at $900. In one year, it would be $10,800 correct?

Man: Correct

Lady: If in 1 year you spend $10,800 not accounting for inflation, the past
15 years puts your spending at $162,000 correct?

Man: Correct

Lady: Do you know that if you hadn't drank, that money could have been put
in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound
interest for the past 15 years, you could have now bought a Ferrari?

Man: Do you drink?

Lady: No

Man: So where's your fucking Ferrari?

--Bob Clark





ULTIMATE BUILDER COMPETITION WINNERS FROM NEW YORK SHOW--The New York round of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is like none other. From the starting gun on Friday at noon till closing at 5PM on Sunday, it was packed ankle to armpit with enthusiasts giving their appreciation to the 50 custom sleds on display.

In year’s past FreeStyle and Performance Custom class machines dominated the show. This year Retro MOD had the largest participation with guys and gals building to this specification: “Any modified bike, with any drive train on any chassis configuration that is 25 years or older. Great class for older Harley’s where the frame was cut to rake or stretch as well as a class for Café Racers from the Ton-Up era.”



Ultimate Builder FreeStyle Class

George Stinsman of Chaos Cycle made the debut of the Long Bike and took the win at the 2013 edition of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show in NY. It features an ‘80s era Shovel, Sugar Bear front end and split rocker boxes.

1. George Stinsman, Chaos Cycle – The Long Bike, Custom Chopper
2. Nick Genender, NYC Choppers – Speedster, Custom Chopper
3. Jesse Bassett, The GasBox – 741 Indian, 1940 Military Scout



Ultimate Builder MOD Harley Class

Chris Callen of Cycle Source Magazine got on the horn with Jason Grimes of Northeast Chop Shop to introduce him to the Ultimate Builder. Results? First and third in MOD Harley class. Jason’s winning sled, the Damascus Bike, is built with hand-hammered Damascus steel. The bike is accented with textured copper. Dave Steeves of GDL Paint provided the paint.

1. Jason Grimes, NE Chop Shop – Damascus Bike
2. Eric Schroeder, Tribal Iron Choppers – Café Grinds, ’94 Sportster
3. Jason Grimes, NE Chop Shop – 13 ½, ’84 Sportster



Ultimate Builder Performance Custom Class

Roman Levin got bored and built the FOH Street Racer. It features a custom frame, swing arm and metal fabrication. Roman painted the bike is his garage. When not working on bikes, he is a paint and body man on 356 Porches.

1. Roman Levin, FOH Cycles – FOH Street Racer, ‘79 GS 750
2. TT Cycles – 1970 Triumph Drag Bike
3. Mike Davis, Speedworx – Saluda, 2006 Honda CBR



Ultimate Builder RETRO MOD Class

Justin Reid of Longwood Customs brought his ’66 custom Triumph Bonneville that features a bolt-on hardtail, rebuilt engine, 6 inch stretch and lowered front and rear. The paint that was applied by Reid and Eddie Piers really made this bike standout.

1. Justin Reid, Longwood Customs – 66 Bonnie, ’66 Triumph
2. Will Ramsey – Dead at 19, 1981 HD FXW
3. Fred Montano, East Coast Super Bikes – Spitshine, ’60 Panhead



Ultimate Builder MOD Street Class

Evan Favaro of Speakeasy Motors took the win in MOD Street with Butler 650. A 1978 Yamaha XS650. It features a fully rebuilt engine, custom front end, custom tail section, hand fabricated sheet metal parts, café gas tank, Suzuki front end on a Yamaha frame.

1. Evan Favaro, Speakeasy Motors – Butler 650, ’78 XS650
2. Mark Tempesta, Break Lite Motorsports – Ultimate RR, ’96 CBR 900RR
3. Damian Collins – Aztec, ’02 R1


Editor’s Choice Award

TT Cycles won the Cycle Source Magazine Editor’s Choice Award with their 1970 Triumph T120R Drag Bike. The bike features a 750cc mil with an Aerco 750cc big bore kit, Mega Cycle cams and a Nitrous Express NOS kit.

Additional Awards

Mike Davis of Speed Worx won the Show Dog Award sponsored by Rocking K Custom Leather for his promotion at the show. He hired two spokes models to promote his Donnie Smith Bike Show program.

The Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is produced by www.bikerpros.com. At each round of the competition Biker Pros photographs each bike and makes them available in their Flickr gallery at www.flickr.com/photos/bikerpros.

We are awarding $100,000 in cash and prizes over our 13 event series. The big money winners to date are:

GIO - $6,500
Kyle Shorey - $5,000
Bruce Bolden - $3,000





BIKERNET FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER, POETIC JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 37 years of marriage. Jake dumped his wife for his Young secretary.

His new girlfriend demanded that they live in Jake and Edith's multi-million dollar home and since the man's lawyers were a little better he prevailed.

He gave Edith his now ex-wife just 3 days to move out. She spent the 1st day packing her belongings into boxes crates and suitcases.

On the 2nd day she had to movers come and collect her things.



On the 3rd day she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candlelight put on some soft background music and feasted on a pound of shrimp a jar of caviar and a bottle of Chardonnay.

When she had finished she went into each and every room and stuffed half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of all of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.

When the husband returned with his new girlfriend all was bliss for the first few days.

Then slowly the house began to smell. They tried everything cleaning mopping and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere.
Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even replaced the expensive wool carpeting. NOTHING WORKED.

People stopped coming over to visit. Repairman refused to work in the house.

The Maid quit.

Finally they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.

A month later even through they had cut their price in half they could not find a buyer for their stinky house.

Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place.

The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back.

Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house ha been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.

A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home.

INCLUDING THE CURTAIN RODS.:)

--from Jim Waggaman



READER QUESTIONS BIKERNET TECH INSTALL--I have a question for you. Did you reuse your cam gear from the stock cam?
When I do a Evo cam R&R I reuse the gear that was on the old cam. Reason being that
I don't want gear noise (whining) from a new
gear that can be just a bit off in size from the stock cam gear and doesn't match the pinion
right.

It's more work cuz you have scribe timing/ location marks on the gear before you press it off. This is so that when you press the gear back on the new cam your cam timing is correct.

I learned doing it this way a long time ago. You don't have to measure the new gear with
gage pins & a mic (a real pain in the ass)!!
I think JIM's sells a tool for locating the cam gear. I just use some blue dykem and make
scribe marks with s ¼-inch wide scale on the gear. I locate the 1/4-inch scale in the groove already on the cam. It's a tip from the old days.

--PSD

This is assuming the stock set up was correct. If there is a problem with gear fit, we generally recommend changing the pinion gear. Which costs more, a new pinion gear or the labor to change cam gears? Either way works, but we've had more than one cam messed up in gear changing attempts gone wrong.

--Bruce Tessmer
Marketing Projects Coordinator
S&S Cycle Inc.







BRAND NEW SPORTSTER SEAT FROM SADDLEMEN—Here’s a “ top secret “ super spy like style photo outside the Saddlemen headquarters on the edge of Compton, California, not five miles from the Bikernet Headquarters.

Rumor has it this new line of Café styled seats will show up in the Saddlemen catalog in the near future.








SHARK FIN MAGNETO COVERS, FROSTED--  Seven Sins Choppers NEW "SHARK FIN" Magneto covers are all handcrafted in numerous of colors in a durable rigid frosted semi-transparent material. Very minor imperfections are left in each unit to give the covers a more glass-like appearance.

The covers skin is as smooth as a sharks belly and if your leads ever get worn out; the terminals are replaceable. These will fit all Fairbanks-Morse body-style magnetos including Morris and Joe Hunt. Covers are available by themselves or in kits with neoprene gaskets, hardware, and our custom Jag-Wire Ignition Plugs.

Made in the USA by Seven Sins Choppers and exclusively licensed by GOODSON. Made In USA. www.SevenSinsChoppers.com





BIKERS FOR GUN RIGHTS RIDE--I am trying to organize a massive ride to Capitol Hill in support of gun rights and stop this current craze of gun control. Not all of you would support such a ride and I understand, but if you are in favor of it and want to support it, let me know; I can use all the help I can get.

No details yet. I contacted there NRA and they are considering helping. A mark on the wall would be May 1, but that may be kind of wintery yet.

--Hammer
The Horse Magazine





LARRY PRATT TAKES ON PIERS MORGAN IN ROUND TWO-- Morgan refuses to discuss the role of Fast & Furious in arming criminals
Larry Pratt clashed with CNN’s Piers Morgan in Round Two on Wednesday night.

Morgan was slightly more subdued this time, indicating that maybe he’d been taken to the woodshed for his insulting demeanor towards Pratt during Round One in December. But Morgan was every bit as pompous and always tried to cut off Pratt to keep him from developing his points.

Nevertheless, Pratt did explain that mass murders in this country invariably occur in gun-free zones … that good guys with guns have prevented massacres from occurring … that guns are the ultimate defense against tyranny ... and that President Obama should learn from the mistakes of King George III and stop acting in an unconstitutional manner.

Pratt also brought up Operation Fast & Furious and tagged Morgan for refusing to discuss the Obama Administration’s “culpability to commit mass murder” while supervising an operation that flooded our southern border with illegal firearms.
Perhaps the biggest fireworks of the evening occurred over the comparison between citizens’ safety in the United States versus the United Kingdom. So what follows are the highlights regarding the differences between the two nations (with footnote documentation).

Gun control has NOT made British citizens safer
In 1996, the United Kingdom witnessed a tragic school shooting in Dunblane, Scotland. Despite the fact that the Scots were already living under stringent gun owner registration restrictions, Great Britain responded by imposing an even more draconian handgun ban the following year.

Gun control proponents have argued that this ban has made the island safer, but the truth is quite to the contrary. As reported in the UK’s Telegraph, gun crimes doubled in the decade after the gun ban went into effect.(1) Not only that, the United Kingdom became the European leader in violent crime, with a higher rate than America’s.(2)
While gun control proponents typically only want to focus on one type of murder (by gun), The Telegraph reports that, in a single year, there were 927 total murders in the UK.(3) [You will note that in the interview with Piers Morgan, GOA Executive Director Larry Pratt slightly inverted the number -- having said “970” total murders rather than “927.”

Having said this, there are several difficulties in making such sweeping comparisons between the US and the UK. For starters, it’s somewhat disingenuous to simply compare total murders throughout each nation, given that America has a much bigger population. In fact, the U.S. has nearly three times as many large population centers (of 250,000 or more people) than the United Kingdom does. That’s why it’s helpful to examine murder rates.

Even just comparing the murder rate for England/Wales (1.2 in 2009), one sees that some U.S. states have lower murder rates -- like New Hampshire (.8) and Vermont (1.1). Interestingly, while both of these states allow for concealed carry, Vermont allows its citizens to carry firearms without even getting permission from the state -- thus, underscoring the fact that free access to guns does not equate to a Wild West mentality…

Written by Gun Owners of America
--from Agent Zebra