The US has the highest gun ownership rate in the world - there are 89 guns for every 100 Americans, compared to 6 in England and Wales.
And the murder figures themselves are astounding for Brits used to around 550 murders per year.
In 2011 - the latest year for which detailed statistics are available - there were 12,664 murders in the US. Of those, 8,583 were caused by firearms.
The FBI crime statistics are based on reports to FBI bureau and local law enforcement. The figures are not complete - there are no stats for Florida or Alabama on firearm murders. But even so it provides a detailed picture of attacks by state.
2011 - 2/3rds - Two-Thirds - 8,583 MURDERS By FIREARMS!
If memory serves me right, over Six million men, women and children were rounded up and murdered in Germany back in the 40's. Those people weren't allow to own firearms. Only the government that murdered them was allowed to possess guns...and amazingly that government did almost all of the killing without firing a single shot. Hows that for a high murder rate under strict central government gun control. Yup, guns are dangerous alright, especially in the hands of the wrong people. Then again, so are knives, gasoline and even pressure cookers...In fact, I had a hand to hand combat instructor in the Army who knew a 106 ways to kill ya with a soup spoon. So I'm afraid the sad fact is, if criminals and crazy people want to do you harm they'll always find a way to try.
Now if you think banning guns and the federal government's background checks will prevent only criminals and crazy people from getting their hands on weapons ....just ask The Guys in the Mexican Drug Cartels who murdered hundreds, maybe even thousands of innocent Mexican Men, women and children with the guns our government sold to them, how well that works.
Indeed, everybody has the right to chose not to defend themselves. But don't forget...everyone also has the right to choose to defend themselves and their families too by the best means available and guns are one of those best means.
there are 62.64 million people in UK and 313.9 million in the US. They better have a lower murder rate. In the more prosperous hard working towns of America I am sure, if you research the statistics of murder you wouldn't come up with much. However, if you looked at where in the city , of let's say Boston, where the murder statistic are coming from, like Dorchestor or Roxbury , hmmm there is the murderous number you're looking for. I don't recall a lot of gangs in the Scottish hills of the UK but, I do think they might have tighter laws on immigration. You've worked hard to get where you are to live the American dream and enjoy your freedoms. Careful for what exactly your asking for. I don't think the average person needs a military arsenal in their basement or the average person is looking to do that.
Are you advocating total gun control? It's impossible. The only people who are going to obey any gun control legislation are those who never would have used a gun in violence in the first place. Yes, those already law-abiding citizens. Criminals aren't going to obey that law any more than they obeys the others. And if you actually managed to beat every gun (instead of swords) into plowshares, people would use knives or bows and arrows or clubs or ROCKS. You can't stop people from killing one another. Not with guns or airplanes or poison. Not at all. You can't eradicate hatred or fanaticism from the minds of those who harbor it. It will find expression whether it results in a man beating his wife or in a child bullying another child or in someone setting a bomb somewhere. If some terminally unhinged person makes up his mind to spray the town square with bullets he will. If he has no gun he'll make a zip gun or find instructions on the web and build himself a Lars rocket.
Or are you simply saying we're no longer outraged enough? I'll agree with that. We're so weary of news of wars and murders and floods and earthquakes that we've developed calluses on our sensibilities. The constant media coverage of every single horror rubbed that spot until it became numb. I readily admit to being numb. I'm thankful for being numb. It beats watching the news and throwing up every evening at 11:30.
Human nature is what it is. Some people are kind and helpful, some are greedy and grasping, some are drunk and stupid and some are violent and abusive. If you want peace and happiness you'll have to make it to heaven.
Married ten years, and more in love than ever, Robert and Marcie have everything to live for. But a terrible secret is breaking Robert's heart: he knows that Marcie is about to die...
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Now if you think banning guns and the federal government's background checks will prevent only criminals and crazy people from getting their hands on weapons ....just ask The Guys in the Mexican Drug Cartels who murdered hundreds, maybe even thousands of innocent Mexican Men, women and children with the guns our government sold to them, how well that works.
Indeed, everybody has the right to chose not to defend themselves. But don't forget...everyone also has the right to choose to defend themselves and their families too by the best means available and guns are one of those best means.
Or are you simply saying we're no longer outraged enough? I'll agree with that. We're so weary of news of wars and murders and floods and earthquakes that we've developed calluses on our sensibilities. The constant media coverage of every single horror rubbed that spot until it became numb. I readily admit to being numb. I'm thankful for being numb. It beats watching the news and throwing up every evening at 11:30.
Human nature is what it is. Some people are kind and helpful, some are greedy and grasping, some are drunk and stupid and some are violent and abusive. If you want peace and happiness you'll have to make it to heaven.
Sorry if this ticks you off. Luvya anyway.
Sand
Chip Bergeron
Love ya!
Jane