According to the “More Guns, Less Crime” hypothesis, with higher levels of gun ownership we would expect to see lower crime rates in those categories. By contrast, studies have found that states with the lowest rates of firearm ownership (Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, California, Florida, Illinois, and Maryland) had significantly lower rates of firearm-related assault and robbery, firearm homicide, and overall homicide.
States with the highest gun-ownership levels (Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Arkansas, Arizona, West Virginia, North Dakota, Idaho, Mississippi, and Alabama), had 6.8 times the rate of firearm assaults, 2.8 times the rate of firearm homicides, and twice the rate of overall homicides than states with the lowest gun-ownership levels.
I did not mention anything about taking away anyone’s guns. Nor does anyone I know except the NRA, and that is just propaganda to win elections and sell guns. I am interested in reasonable gun laws like automobile laws that have reduced traffic deaths per mile driven by over 99% since 1920. All the while vehicles have increased in varieties, size, speed, velocity, acceleration, weight, range and capacity. Reasonable automobile laws have made cars safer. Drivers are trained and have licenses, dangerous drivers are not allowed to drive, there is an age requirement, and whenever there is a safety improvement laws are passed to insure that all cars have those safety measures.
Regarding the question about whose house the killer would go to, the odds are 30 to 1 that if there is a killing in the house, the killer is within, and the so is the weapon.
I agree with conservative Senator Lindsey Graham, “The Constitution’s a sacred document, but it is not a suicide pact.” “This is not hard for me. Due process is important, but at the end of the day, we are at war.”
Senator Graham also said, “To my friends at the NRA, I understand your concern about denying somebody the right to buy a gun, that’s a constitutional right. But every right — whether speech or buying a weapon or any other constitutional right — has boundaries on it.”
Terry, it appears that you and I enjoy discussing politics, and people need to have this discussion so we can begin the process of reducing gun deaths in America, but this isn’t the purpose of this forum. Your response is welcome, but please do so on my personal page and anyone who is interested can check in there. I apologize to anyone who may have found this thread inappropriate or offensive.
With respect,
Bob
In St. Petersburg, Russia
Why can't we all just get along?
I find your comment offensive and do not remember asking you to reply on my answers. Oh, I forgot this is a forum for comment - I am an advicate of gun control - we are a very violent country and we do not need guns for purchase that are made to kill many people in just a few minutes.
