04-18-2008, 11:21 PM
Dr. John Lott wrote a book that found that those US countys which allow citizens to carry concealed weapons, saw less violent crime. It has been touted by gunnuts since. BUT . . .
However studies after this (2001) found with more guns, also came higher homicides. (urban-area-to-urban-area type of comparisons) and a 2004 study also debunks Lotts charges.
So thats within the country. So arming oneself does not clearly make it less.
Outside the US?
Per the BBC:
The risk of being killed by a firearm in the US is higher than in any other Western nation. Of countries outside war zones, the risk is greatest in South Africa, according to a United Nations report.
Accurate figures on firearms are scarce, but there are an estimated 200 million guns in circulation in the US, a country with a population of about 300 million.
According to a Harris poll conducted in 2001, approximately 39% of all American households own at least one gun.
The risk of being killed by a firearm in the US is higher than in any other Western nation. Of countries outside war zones, the risk is greatest in South Africa, according to a United Nations report.
comparison of death rates by firearm
There are no recent statistics available but UN figures from 2000 showed for every 10,000 Americans, 0.3 were killed by firearms, compared with 0.01 in the UK where handgun ownership was banned in 1997.
In Switzerland where every man of military age is required to keep a gun at home as part of the country's civil defence policy, the number of deaths per 10,000 population was 0.05.
In South Africa it was 7.1 for every 10,000 people.
However studies after this (2001) found with more guns, also came higher homicides. (urban-area-to-urban-area type of comparisons) and a 2004 study also debunks Lotts charges.
So thats within the country. So arming oneself does not clearly make it less.
Outside the US?
Per the BBC:
The risk of being killed by a firearm in the US is higher than in any other Western nation. Of countries outside war zones, the risk is greatest in South Africa, according to a United Nations report.
Accurate figures on firearms are scarce, but there are an estimated 200 million guns in circulation in the US, a country with a population of about 300 million.
According to a Harris poll conducted in 2001, approximately 39% of all American households own at least one gun.
The risk of being killed by a firearm in the US is higher than in any other Western nation. Of countries outside war zones, the risk is greatest in South Africa, according to a United Nations report.
comparison of death rates by firearm
There are no recent statistics available but UN figures from 2000 showed for every 10,000 Americans, 0.3 were killed by firearms, compared with 0.01 in the UK where handgun ownership was banned in 1997.
In Switzerland where every man of military age is required to keep a gun at home as part of the country's civil defence policy, the number of deaths per 10,000 population was 0.05.
In South Africa it was 7.1 for every 10,000 people.
There are four kinds of people in this world: cretins, fools, morons, and lunatics.
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