Friday, February 16th, 2018
Stephan: Why does America have a level of gun violence unknown to any other developed nation? Americans comprise about 4% of the human race, and own more than 40% of the guns in private hands in the world, and there is simply no question that more guns result in more murders and suicides. As this report says, "A 2016
review of 130 studies in 10 countries, published in
Epidemiologic Reviews, found that new legal restrictions on owning and purchasing guns tended to be followed by a drop in gun violence. That's a strong indicator that restricting access to guns can save lives."
I have been following the gun/Second Amendment debate for half a century and there is nothing rational about it. Anyone who spends half a hour on Google can find out what the Second Amendment was really about, and it has nothing to do with how it is interpreted today.
So when any pro-gun NRA person puts up their usual arguments, ask them this: Why is America unique? Why do 10s of thousands of Americans each year die from gun fire, either being shot by another American, or by their own hand? Why are we different? And what do you propose we do about it, or are you okay with what is going on?
One reason for this difference is the abundance of guns in America. According to a 2007 survey, the US led the world in the number of civilian-owned firearms with 88.8 guns per 100 people, while second-place Yemen fell far behind at 54.8 guns per 100 people. And the research, compiled by the Harvard School of Public Health’s Injury Control Research Center, has repeatedly found a link between a higher number of guns and higher levels of gun violence.
A common explanation for this is that America has some of the most lax gun laws in the world. But are US gun laws really that different from those of other developed nations?
I looked into that question, breaking down gun laws in several developed countries based on media reports, studies on gun violence, national databases, the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence’s analysis of American gun laws, and the Law Library of Congress’s reviews of gun laws around the world.
I found the US really does have the most relaxed gun control measures in comparison with other developed nations.
Based on the research, that’s a significant reason […]
The second amendment is a failed social experiment. In part, this has been enabled by the conservative community, which has misinterpreted the 6th commandment: Thou shalt not kill.
Laws will not solve social problems at the root cause. Period.
I would rather have some body armor like a Kevlar suit instead of a gun. If someone comes to my house and breaks in, I and my wife would have a better chance of not being killed if we had on body armor than a gun. A gun will not stop a bullet. I have never tried, but I wonder how hard it is to buy a Kevlar suit to protect myself and my wife. The police all have these protections and I see no reason that a homeowner shouldn’t have them, too. I wonder if anyone knows how to purchase some body armor? I would really appreciate if someone reading this who knows about it, that they would comment on the subject. I hate guns, and would not want to shoot anyone, but I would like to protect myself and my wife with body armor, especially since we are more of a target since we are old and that makes us an easier target for robbers.
Anyone out there have any ideas on this subject?
I would think that the police would not have any problem having people have the same protection that they do.