Do Guns Make Us Safer?

According to the 'Law Center To Prevent Gun Violence.."In 2010, guns took the lives of 31,076 Americans in homicides, suicides and unintentional shootings. This is the equivalent of more than 85 deaths each day and more than three deaths each hour

73,505 Americans were treated in hospital emergency departments for non-fatal gunshot wounds in 2010.

Between 1955 and 1975, the Vietnam War killed over 58,000 American soldiers – less than the number of civilians killed with guns in the U.S. in an average two-year period.

In the first seven years of the U.S.-Iraq War, over 4,400 American soldiers were killed. Almost as many civilians are killed with guns in the U.S., however, every seven weeks.

From 2005-2010, almost 3,800 people in the U.S. died from unintentional shootings."

According to 'New Yorkers Against Gun Violence..."For every one time a gun in the home was used in a self-defense or legally justifiable shooting, there were 4 unintentional shootings.

On average, states with the highest gun ownership levels had 9 times the rate of unintentional firearms deaths compared to states with the lowest gun ownership levels.

For kids ages 5 to 14, the mortality rate is 14 times higher in high gun ownership states than low gun ownership states."
CommentaryI'm certain many could argue against my sources for these statistics. Some may point out there are far greater deaths from other accidents and disease. However I would argue we shouldn't compare apples to oranges. The fact remains all the deaths I've reported above did not come from those. In 2010 there would be 31,076 Americans still alive if not for them.

I'm not advocating that guns are the root of all evil. What I am questioning is do guns make us safer?

Since justifiable home shootings had 4 unintentional shootings for each that were, they obviously do not.

People will still murder other people, but few have the guts it takes to do it by other means. Cowards find it a lot easier to squeeze a trigger from a distance then going one on one.

Considering in 2010 hospitals treated 73,505 for non-fatal gunshot wounds doesn't bode well neither. Nor that 10 times more Americans died from guns here in this country then were killed in the Vietnam war. Nor every 7 weeks guns killed almost as many Americans as the number of soldiers in all of the 7 years they were in Iraq.

One should base their decision either on the 2nd amendment or what common sense should dictate best for them. Just like alcohol/legal weed, gambling and smoking may be legal, doesn't mean we're all better off for it with how some people handle them. Guns are no different. Each are fine when responsible people enjoy their use. Trouble is not everyone does.

If your one of those who feel safer possessing a gun there's no assurance I do. My family and I are already threatened by irresponsible drunks on the highways (some with guns). By desperate gamblers and drug users looking to rob or someone who becomes emotionally out of control having a gun. After all we've all lost our temper at one time or another.

I don't know you or whether you have a gun. Neither do you I. Guns add one more element of risk to the threat we may feel towards one another. So pardon me if I'm not all enthusiastic about supporting gun use.

The Short Answer
     NO.. guns do not make us safer.




Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014
Huey P.Newton Gun Club & Black Panthers March For
Raising Awareness of Second-Amendment Rights