Crime

Over the past decade, crime rates have been falling. Even so, tens of millions of Americans (one of every four households) are victimized by criminals each year. That's too many victims.

To reduce crime rates, the Libertarians will:

Protect your right to self-defense. Americans use guns approximately 2.5 million times a year to stop crime--in most cases without firing a shot. It works. For example, law-abiding citizens in Florida have been able to carry concealed weapons since 1987. During that time, the murder rate in Florida declined more than 20% faster than the national rate.

Get tough on real crime. We support swift and certain justice for those guilty of committing crimes of violence, theft, or fraud against others. But, unfortunately, police spend billions of dollars each year to arrest people for victimless crimes like drug use, gambling, and prostitution. As a result, our prisons are filled beyond their capacity, often forcing the early release of violent felons. Police resources should be redirected to focus on criminals who prey on innocent Americans--not people who commit "crimes" that harm nobody but themselves.