RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - An analysis shows gun-related violence has fallen steadily since 2006 in Virginia despite record firearm sales.

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Virginia Commonwealth University professor Thomas R. Baker compared state crime data for 2006 through 2011 with gun-dealer sales estimates obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

His analysis shows the number of gun purchases soared 73 percent in the six-year period, while gun-related offenses fell more than 27 percent.

Baker says the comparison seems to contradict the premise that more guns lead to more crime in Virginia.