The Brady Campaign Is Full of Bullshit

Over at the Brady Campaign's website is a section showing a map of states color-coded by how weak or strong their gun laws are.

Look at the map and you'll see good ol' California color-coded in the 75-100 range. Choose California from the drop-down menu and you'll find that Cali actually scored 80 out of a possible 100 points.

Once again, California holds the top spot with the nation’s strongest gun laws that help combat the illegal gun market, prevent the sale of guns without background checks and reduce risks to children

So why is it that according to this report (PDF) from the BJS Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics, California has tallied over 1,000 firearm-related homicides each year between 1999 and 2007?

From Table 3:

1999: 1,380
2000: 1,483
2001: 1,589
2002: 1,810
2003: 1,782
2004: 1,808
2005: 1,878
2006: 1,883
2007: 1,701

Why would a state with strong gun laws still have firearm homicides numbering over 1,000 every year?

Shouldn't there be zero firearm-related homicides?

I mean, strong gun laws should deter such crimes, right?

Right?

Okay, Brady Campaign. Explain that one to me.

Otherwise, I call "bullshit."