Homicide Rates for African Americans is Highest in Missouri
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Homicide Rates for African Americans is Highest in Missouri

Date: January 26, 2011
By: Rebecca May
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missouri takes the lead but not for the better as the Violence Policy Center announced the state with the highest rate of African American homicides. Becky May has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:49
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap:  The Violence Policy Center put out it's annual victimization report with Missouri as its front runner for the most homicides of African Americans.

Executive Director of the VPC, Joshua Sugarmann says lax gun laws are to blame.

Actuality:  SGRMN1.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "There's unwillingness to address the roles played by firearms, especially among the African American community. Our hope is that maybe this will wake some people up and create a dialogue that might lead to action."

Sugarmann also says a VPC study showed states with higher density of gun concentration and lax gun laws had a higher gun death rate.

Rep. Steve Cookson has been in the National Riffle Association for several years and says the law is not the problem.

Actuality:  COOKS.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "I think it's more a societal problem then basically a gun problem. We are too quick to blame the guns."

Reporting from the state Capitol I'm Becky May.

Intro: 
Missouri takes the highest rate of homicides among African Americans and Representative Tishaura Jones says gun laws are to blame. Becky May has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The Violence Policy Center reported Missouri for having the highest amount of homicides in the nation and 75% being gun-related.

St. Louis City House Representative Tishaura Jones says loose gun laws are at fault.

Actuality:  JONES5.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "I hate to say it but unfortunately our relaxed gun laws on obtaining weapons makes it really easy."

Jones also says she thinks Missouri legislation will not change gun laws because many people want the right to bear arms.

Rep. Steve Cookson has to agree with Jones.

Actuality:  COOKS.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "I think it's more a societal problem then basically a gun problem. We are too quick to blame the guns."

Reporting from the state Capitol I'm Becky May.