Webby

Sheesh.. thats a long reply OK.. will try..

These stats are basically of what were described as "industrialized countries" (don't include places like the Middle East). But the US takes the lead in firearms deaths overall (even allowing for pro rata populations). The example of Japan is the extreme, (again refers to child deaths), where there were none. Even the rate for adults deaths is low and normally in the 20's/per annum.

There are stats all over the net, - mainly based on CDC, FBI or DOJ data (tho when using comparisons with other countries, allow margin of error since the laws and methods of recording offenses can vary. In fact it's almost impossible to do exact comparisons with other nations on any crime stats)... Here's a quick stat - tho only of handguns in relation to murders..

http://www.ichv.org/Statistics.htm

Of these 19 Japanese deaths - none were children. The UK records only 54 deaths, but that scenario is currently showing an upwards trend.


I never referred to suicide gun deaths - primarily focussed on child deaths, tho, just realized, US gun sucide deaths appear to be significant.

Sure.. "death-by-car" prob is more than by gun, but the issue is about guns - not cars We could debate the purveying of overdoses of meds can cause more intended/unintended deaths than guns (they prob do!)


Not really the lowest common denominator - it's the same the world over. Bottom line... irrespective of where people are from, and nothing to do with racism or much else - load them up with guns and they will shoot themselves - either intentionally, by accident or, in the case of school shootings, children can access them and kill others. No need to even label a nation as one that has a "gun culture" - it would most likely be the same anywhere.

A couple of odd stats stand out - eg Switzerland where almost every household has a weapon, but gun deaths (pro rata population) are so low that records can be counted on one or two hands. (This may be attributed to gun training where males apparently serve in a "home defense" org as a matter of course - but who knows)


Hang on - I'll get back to this item asap (need to disappear for a short while)


Sure... if you unlock the safe. Try this stat about the accessability of guns re children which may be a clue...

http://www.ichv.org/kidsandguns.htm

Gotta go in a min.. but will give another personal example. Was offered firearms training by a US govt officer who in an earlier life was a firearms instructor. The basics were explained - then the background. She was of an opinion that unless an individual undertook a "real" firearms training, any weapon was more likely to be used against the gun owner. This is after having witnessed more than enough SOC's anyone would want to witness in a lifetime. Her opinion may be biased - who knows, (and may well be simply because she saw the "other side" only), but something to think about.

The same govt officer is oddly is support of having weapons, not just to enable her to do a job, but generally (as long as the weapon remains secured, the owner has a training in it's use, and not treated as a macho toy.)

Even with law enforcement - silly stuff happens. One officer managed to shoot himself, not once, but twice in the left portion of his body (DUH??? )

Another quick item... The country where we operate has taken a policy of destroying as many guns as possible (cutting them up) - these guns were either recovered from illegal possession or where folks simply wanted to hand them in for destruction. They are also destroying any unnecessary weapons currently in government use and implementing strict customs controls on all imported weapons. The philosophy is that the less guns in circulation - the less gun deaths. (Not that there was a crisis in gun deaths in the first instance).

Will get back to your Canadian and Florida point shortly

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