I can provide a US university study that supports what Bardock42 stated.
Basically, for every 1% increase in gun-ownership rates, there is a .9% increase in homicides.
HOOOOOWEVER....and this is extremely important.
The researches are clear to point out that the classic "correlation does not equal causation" because they state:
"Siegel noted that the study did not determine causation, allowing that it is theoretically possible that people are more likely to purchase guns if they live in states with higher levels of firearm homicide. But he said the issue warrants further study."
Also, there are other studies that show an increase in gun ownership decreases crime. This is why the gun debate is not very clear.
As Ushgarak is want to point out, it's a cultural problem. The US has a violence problem.
Originally posted by Time-Immemorial
Do you know how hard it is to hit someone with a bullet much less from a handgun?
This statement is contradictory to your point. You're saying that if you had a gun, you wouldn't have been robbed. But why carry a gun in the first place if it's so hard to hit someone with a bullet?
Originally posted by Time-Immemorial
I'm not going to count the New England Journal of Medicine as a credible source for a discussion about self defense and guns, since when did Doctors become a source for this discussion. I might as well ask the ant hill outside what their stance on raid is.
Re: Re: Re: Self Defense
Originally posted by Time-Immemorial
I tried that at gunpoint, and the guy said he was going to kill me if I didn't give him my wallet and phone.
Pay attention to body others' body movements. You might have been able to avoid that or stop it. Sorry you had to experience that. Besides, that is rare to get held up. I was almost held up twice. I somehow made the suckers chuckle and think twice. Meh.
Originally posted by Time-Immemorial
Excuses. Excuses. Just because you cannot do you own finances does not make you ineligible to handle a gun in your own home.
But if you need financial help from the government then I'd wonder why such a person is wasting money on a firearm. Unless they intend to hunt down their dinner every night or something.
Also this isn't just about old folks going on a rampage. You hear the recent story of the "cop" who killed an unarmed man? He was a volunteer cop, and he was old. How did he kill the guy? Well..he pulled out his gun and shot him..but it happened because he actually thought he was pulling out his taser, but instead pulled out a gun and someone died. Yet not only was such a person allowed to own a gun..they gave him at least a tiny bit of power for reasons unknown.