Gun Control Revisited: Debunking the Myths About Stricter Gun Laws
Those who advocate for stricter gun control often argue that states with stringent gun regulations tend to have lower incidences of firearms-related deaths. However, this narrative is often misleading and relies on intellectually dishonest metrics.
The Intellectual Dishonesty of Metrics
The terms “States” and “Gun Deaths” used in this discussion often confound intellectual clarity and veracity. It is important to understand that categorizing “Firearms Homicides” under such broad metrics can be misleading. Additionally, including firearms suicides into the “Gun Deaths” category is a logical fallacy, given that countries with strict gun controls often rank lower in global suicide rates.
Democrat Counties vs. Republican Counties: A Propaganda Soundbite
Efforts to make blanket assessments between states and their gun death rates can be easily manipulated. In certain cases, a small number of counties with high crime rates, often led by Democrats, can skew the overall statistics and provide a misleading portrayal. Republican areas generally have much lower firearms-related homicide rates, yet they are often swept into the broader discussion, undermining the core argument.
Background on Firearms Homicide Perpetrators and Victims
Over eighty percent of firearms homicide perpetrators and victims have prior criminal records. These individuals have often committed lesser crimes such as drug dealing, assault, and burglary before eventually committing a firearm homicide. This fact suggests that focusing on guns alone overlooks the underlying criminal behavior that often precedes such incidents.
The Concentration of Firearm Homicides in Certain Areas
US statistics reveal that 86% of firearm homicides occur in just 113 counties, which are known for ‘soft on crime’ approaches and low per capita gun ownership. In contrast, there are over 54 counties with zero firearm homicides per year, yet these regions have high gun ownership rates ranging from 50-70% of households.
These counties with zero firearm homicides typically have strict sentencing guidelines and a 'no tolerance' policy toward career criminals and repeat offenders, who disproportionately contribute to firearm homicides. By removing these regions with high crime rates, the homicide rates in other areas can be brought down to levels similar to many EU countries.
The Deceptive Nature of Data Packaging
The entire argument for gun control relies on the intentional repackaging of data and an intellectually dishonest premise. Out of 120 million gun owners in the US, 52% of households, firearms injuries amount to only 115,000, with less than 50,000 fatal injuries, the vast majority of which are suicides. The fatality rate for gun owners is merely 0.036%, while all firearms result in fatalities at a rate of 0.008%.
These statistics illustrate that focusing on reducing the number of firearms without addressing the root causes of firearm violence is ineffective. Instead, a comprehensive approach that includes strict law enforcement, sentencing, and addressing the underlying criminal behavior is crucial for reducing firearm deaths.
From gun control advocates to law enforcement professionals, it is essential to approach this issue with a clear understanding of the data and the context in which these incidents occur. Intellectual honesty is vital to crafting effective policies that genuinely improve public safety.