FACT CHECK: Does OK have a higher violent crime rate then NY and CA?
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Of the many things said at Tuesdaynight's gubernatorial debate, one of the most talked about moments was an exchange regarding violent crime in the state.
Gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister said Oklahoma has a higher violent crime rate than New York and California.
It was something Governor Kevin Stitt laughed off, but the statistics say it's true.
"So let's talk about the facts. The fact is the rates of violent crime are higher in Oklahoma under your watch..." said Hofmeister.
"It's not true..." said Stitt.
"... Then in New York and California, that's a fact. It's also a fact that medical marijuana..." said Hofmeister.
"Hang on Oklahomans. Do you believe we have higher crime than New York or California? That's what she just said." said Stitt.
"Safety and security is my top priority and it will be as governor," said Hofmeister.
Taking a look at national murder rates, Hofmeister is correct.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looking at the latest data from 2020, Oklahoma had 342 homicides, that's a rate of 9 deaths per 100,000.
If you go over to California, their homicide rate is 6.1 and New York’s rate is 4.7.
We spoke to the think tank Third Way about the findings they're seeing.
"There's a couple of factors you can't ignore. Nearly all murders are committed by guns. In Republican states, gun ownership is far higher than in blue states," said Jim Kessler of Third Way.
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But that claim is not cut and dry. States like Utah, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, traditionally Republican states, have very low murder rates.
"This is not iron-clad laws of physics. What I'm saying about places like Utah, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, they're very sparse areas and I do believe you need some population density to make this work," said Kessler.
Taking a look at the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which looks at violent crime, Oklahoma had 18,255 in 2020, which per 100,000 people, is a violent crime rate of 458.6.
In New York state it was far lower with a rate of 363.8, and in California just slightly lower with a rate of 442.
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