Quote from: HelenW on April 25, 2006, 04:45:40 PM
"...your gun is far more likely to kill either you, your family/friends or innocent strangers than protect you..."
I have seen that statement many times and have yet to see credible evidence for it.
In the New England Journal of Medicine article "Gun Ownership as a Risk Factor for Homicide in the Home" by authors Arthur L. Kellermann, Frederick P. Rivara, Norman B. Rushforth, Joyce G. Banton, Donald T. Reay, Jerry T. Francisco, Ana B. Locci, Janice Prodzinski, Bela B. Hackman, and Grant Somes, the conclusions of the published article are
"The use of illicit drugs and a history of physical fights in the home are important risk factors for homicide in the home. Rather than confer protection, guns kept in the home are associated with an increase in the risk of homicide by a family member or intimate acquaintance." Here are a few others:
* For every time a gun is used in a "home" in a legally-justifiable shooting [note that every self-defense is legally justifiable] there are 22 criminal, unintentional, and suicide-related shootings. [Kellermann AL, Somes G, Rivara FP, et al. "Injuries and deaths due to firearms in the home." The Journal of Trauma. 1998;45:263-267]
* The presence of a gun in the "home" triples the risk of homicide in the "home". [Kellermann, AL, Rivara, FP, Rushforth NB, et al. "Gun ownership as a risk factor for homicide in the home." N Engl J Med. 1993;329:1084-1091.]
* The presence of a gun in the "home" increases the risk of suicide fivefold.[Kellermann, AL Rivara FP, Somes G, et al. "Suicide in the home in relation to gun ownership." N Engl J Med. 1992;327:467-472.]
Posted at: April 26, 2006, 01:38:40 AM
Quote from: HelenW on April 25, 2006, 04:45:40 PM
A potential victim's possesion of a firearm is much more likely to prevent, or stop in its early stages, the crime/assault. Situations such as those are rarely, if ever, reported to the authorities so they are severely underreported.
Really? Rarely, if ever reported to authorites? You're telling me homeowners don't call the cops when they stop a crook red handed who broke in their homes? I think not.
Posted at: April 26, 2006, 01:44:01 AM
Quote from: jan c on April 25, 2006, 05:14:22 PM
can be Solved - please let's look at the word "solved" - at the voting booth?!?!
sure, in 2006 you'll have a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to toss all the bums out of office, especially the ones that turned a dead heat into a "mandate."
Another factor to consider -- people that didn't vote in an election are not in a position to gripe about the outcome -- doing so would pretty much makes one a hypocrite or does it not? (I'm not attacking you personally but rather, making an often-made point about non-voters who complain.
Posted at: April 26, 2006, 01:51:49 AM
Quote from: jan c on April 25, 2006, 10:38:30 PM
even if found, NB: information is not knowledge et cetera
I think readers would appreciate it if you spelled out EXACTLY what you're saying here.
Posted at: April 26, 2006, 01:56:25 AM
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post script: by the way, I support the right for americans to bear arms. Its just the pro-gun kooks that are driving me to the other side with hype and propaganda.