Sunday, January 6, 2013

Frame the Gun Debate with Facts

In the coming days there will be discussions and proposed changes to firearm regulation in the United States.  I find that most government regulations are driven by good intentions but so is the road to Hell.  The gun debate is driven by the good intention of reducing the murder rate in the US.  Unfortunately, historical data shows us that gun control has little or no effect in reducing crime.  Taking guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens does not reduce crime.

2011 FBI Murder Statistics

12, 664 - Total Murders
8,583 - Murder by Firearm - 68% of total murders
6,220 - Murder by Handgun - 49% of total murders
323 - Murder by Rifle - 3% of total murders
356 - Murder by Shotgun - 3% of total murders
1684 - Murder by unclassified firearm - 13% of total murders
1694 - Murder by knife - 13% of total murders
1659 - Murder by other weapon - 13% of total murders
728 - Murder by hand - 6%

Gun control proponents are discussing limits on handguns, rifles and shotguns.  If you look at the statistics above, rifles and shotguns are only used in 6% of murders.  Based on the FBI statistics, the human hand should be regulated in the same manner as rifles and shotguns.