Both the west coast and east coast, have the highest population centers. In fact the greatest amount of population is near waterways and oceanography.
So the highest amount of crime, will always be in the highest population centers. Namely, cities near the ocean or waterways.
In fact, if you were to search for the greatest amount of voters, map wise, they would be highlighted near the states along the Pacific and Indian ocean and the great lakes areas.
http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/heatmap.png
^ Is actually a very accurate data map. In fact the largest amount of schools, nation wide are located on the east and west coast, and the great lakes area. The highest number of births, are located near the pacific and indian ocean + great lakes area. The greatest amount of police and fire department is located on both the west and east coast, and the great lakes area.
In fact, the highest population centers are more apt to receive higher proportions of crime reported on the east/west coast and the great lakes area.
Flint, you gotta do better than this.
The greatest amount of computers in the nation are located on both the east and west coast. The greatest amount of internet sales distribution is located on both the east and west coast, and great lakes areas.
Why? Because they have the HIGHEST population centers. So in only goes to show that the highest population centers would also have the greatest amount of crimes where a gun is involved.
Hell your own data shows that the highest amount of crime in Oregon, is directly near Portland, which happens to be situated on the Columbia river...
=^o.o^= When I'm cute I can be cute. And when I'm mean, I can be very very mean. I'm a cat. Expect me to be fickle.