In late October, Sheriff Chuck Wright, reacting to recent violent crime, told Spartanburg residents to arm themselves, but have those comments impacted crime rates?
Numbers provided by the sheriff's office tell two different stories when it comes to crime trends.
For instance, from October 31, 2011 (when the sheriff urged people to get guns) through January 24, 2012, certain violent crimes spiked, while others stayed the same or even dropped, as compared to the same time period the year before.
From 10/31/2011 - 1/24/2012 there was one murder, 21 forcible rapes, 28 robberies, and 95 aggravated assaults (any assault where a weapon was used or where there was a serious injury).
A year earlier between 10/31/2010 - 1/24/2011 there were four murders, 21 forcible rapes, 42 robberies, but 66 aggravated assaults.
So after the sheriff's comments, the murder rate decreased, the rape rate stayed the same, robberies decreased, but aggravated assaults spiked.
Whether the dramatic increase (450%) of concealed weapon permits since the sheriff’s comments played a role in those numbers, no one can be for sure, not even the sheriff.
"But I guarantee you there are fewer victims out there," Wright said Wednesday.
But Wright has begun to receive criticism from other elected officials who say the sheriff is sending the wrong message.
"To continue to promote a climate in which we’re asking or even advocating for an increase in concealed weapons permits then you’re asking for an increase in weapons themselves," said Spartanburg County Councilman Michael Brown.
Brown called the sheriff's continued remarks "irresponsible" and said law enforcement should be the ones enforcing the laws.
Wright stands by his comments and said he's sure Brown's ideas are nothing personal, and said he's sure people will agree more with him, not the councilman.
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