Originally Posted by Gun Doc
Cycleguy55, like the old adage goes; “Figures lie, and liars figure.” Before you get bent out of shape, let me assure you I am not calling you a liar, just misinformed…
A closer look at the cited figures will quickly show that many of the gun deaths cited are due to suicide (New Mexico 10.3 per 100K, OK 11.1 per 100K, WY 87%, AR 66%, MT 85%, AK 80%). According to the CDC, suicides accounted for 21,175 of the 33,636 deaths by firearm (for all causes) in 2013. According to the FBI, 9,199 of these deaths by firearms were classified as murder. During this same period, law enforcement used firearms in 461 cases of “justifiable homicide,” an additional 281 cases of “justifiable homicide by private citizen” were reported.
38%, or 5,375 of all murders (by all means) in 2013 were committed by Black, or African Americans. Of these offenders, 3,666 were between the age of 17 and 34. Blacks were also disproportionally the victims of murder at 51.1%, or 6,261 people, 3,945 who were between 17 and 34. These statistics are particularly alarming giving the fact that persons identifying themselves as “black, or African American” comprise 13.2% of the population (US Census 2014) but over half the total of all murders.
Of the thirteen states with the highest number of murders by firearm, only one, Louisiana, is on your “Top Ten” list. Those states, CA, GA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, MO, NJ, NY, OH, PN and TX account for 5,833 murders by firearm. California leads the list with 1,224. Oh and by the way, California has the toughest gun laws of ANY state.
So what does all this data point to? 1. Most deaths by gun in this country are by suicide. 2. Young African Americans are much more likely to be involved in gun violence, both as offenders and victims (sometimes both) than any other group. 3. States with large metropolitan concentrations are more likely to suffer from gun violence than rural areas. 4. Most victims know their attackers (at least casually) 5. Most murders stem from arguments of some type. 6. Most gun murders are by handguns (5,782)
So, we know that most murders with firearms are perpetrated by someone with a hand gun, most often in a large metropolitan area by someone known to the victim who have had some sort of argument. A disproportionally large percentage (based on total population) of these crimes are “black-on-black” crime. Very few murders are committed by someone with an “assault weapon.” Fewer still in those “downright empty” places you speak of. In fact Illinois (364), California (1224) and New York (362) have many more gun deaths (murder) than say Montana (9), Wyoming (9) or Oklahoma (127).
Since November 30 1998, to legally purchase a handgun in the US you must first pass the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to insure you are legally able to purchase and possess a handgun. Many states and municipalities have additional requirements to purchase and own handguns. In California, for example, you must first obtain a Firearms Safety Certificate after passing a written test then find a gun on the state approved list. This gun must be microstamping enabled to affix a micro stamp to the ammunition if manufactured after 2007, wait a mandatory ten days to allow law enforcement to conduct further background checks and purchase no more than one gun per person, per month. All that and California still ranks number ONE in murders by firearm!!
There are over 300,000,000 guns in this country, a number pretty close to our total population. It is insane to think that these guns will simple “go away” with some law. Oh, and then there is that pesky document call the Constitution to deal with. What most fail to grasp is that the Constitution merely guaranties our unalienable rights. It does NOT grant us those rights. We were all born with them. I have the inherent right to self-defense, because I have the inherent right to LIFE, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I choose to defend myself and my family with a firearm. I am responsible, law abiding and have been properly trained. I know what lethal force means and will always shoot until the threat is neutralized. I would NEVER use lethal force unless I was prepared to kill. I do think any responsible gun owner should take it upon themselves to get the training required to safely handle and use firearms. If you are going to carry; PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and PRACTICE! Shooting is no different than throwing a pass, pitching, or hitting a baseball, or any other physical activity. They all take practice and when under stress, you draw on muscle memory to perform. An armed person with no training is more dangerous than an unarmed person in a hostile environment.
All of the above facts come directly from the FBI, CDC, or US Census Bureau, NOT some web site with an agenda.
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