Good morning,
I’ve been thinking about gun violence lately.
This time, rather than a long dissertation about the need for more controls on the purchase of guns and ammunition, or the completely incorrect reading of the Second Amendment by the Supreme Court, most Republican leaders, and the NRA, or the canard that the “wild west” was safe because of the prevalence of guns, or the need for licensing and education, I thought I’d just provide a few data points.
IT’S HARDER TO VOTE OR ADOPT A PET THAN TO BUY A GUN
From The New York Times on January 29, 2023 is this list of the steps to vote, adopt a pet or buy a gun in Mississippi:
How to vote in Mississippi
1. Have your social security number or driver’s license
2. Complete six-question voter registration form
3. Mail or hand deliver
4. Do this at least 30 days before Election Day
5. Go to the polls
6. Produce photo ID
7. Vote
How to adopt a dog in Mississippi
1. Fill out 64-question application
2. If renting, landlord is contacted
3. In-person meeting with entire family
4. Yard fencing and security assessed
5. Sleepover visit with pet
6. Pay $125 adoption fee
7. Adopt the dog
How to buy a gun in Mississippi
1. Pass a 13-question background check
2. Buy a gun
SOME RANDOM INFORMATIVE FACTS AND STATISTICS
Firearm deaths have now overtaken traffic deaths. There are now approximately 15 firearm deaths per 100,000 and less than 14 traffic deaths per 100,000.
Crimes are largely committed with handguns. Rifles and shotguns pale in comparison.
80% of mass shooters experienced personal crisis before their crimes.
The vast majority of mass shooters are white and male. More than 90% of public mass shooters are men.
Over 35% of the deadliest mass shootings in the past 120 years have occurred in the past decade. Eleven of the 15 most deadly occurred in the 21st century.
Hate and fame-seeking motives for mass shootings are on the rise.
For detailed data on mass shooters, check out these summary statistics from The Violence Project: https://www.theviolenceproject.org/key-findings/
WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
And not by a narrow margin! Based on the 2017 Small Arms Survey, the United States has more guns per 100 citizens (a whopping over 120, or 1.2 per person, regardless of age). That’s nearly double the country with the second most prevalent gun ownership, the Falkland Islands (who, let’s recall, were invaded and were the site of a war late in the 20th century).
Among the distinguished list of high gun ownership countries, with guns per 100 individuals and total number:
United States, 120.5 per hundred residents (last major war on American soil ended in 1865), 393,347,000 total guns
Falkland Islands, 62.1 per 100, 2,000 guns, rural nation; fought in a war in late 20th century
Yemen, 52.8 per 100, 14,859,000 guns, ongoing warfare
New Caledonia, 42.5 per hundred, 115,000, I have no explanation
Serbia, 39.1 per hundred, 2,719,000 guns, recent warfare after the breakup of Yugoslavia
Montenegro, 39.1 per hundred, 245,000, formerly part of Yugoslavia
The rest of the top 15: Canada (which I find curious; although there are many citizens who don’t live in cities), Uruguay, Cyprus, Finland, Lebanon, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, North Macedonia
RECENT MASS SHOOTINGS
Try paging through this long list of mass shootings. It is so long that it becomes desensitizing. It’s as if we expect them to happen all the time… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States_in_2022
And make no mistake, they are on the rise in a meaningful way since 2000: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/25/us/25shooters.html
THE SECOND AMENDMENT
Here’s what it actually says:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
What do all those strict constructionists have to say about the words “well regulated,” “militia,” and “the security of a free State”? Shouldn’t that language carry the same power as the rest of the words?
When will the madness end?
Have a good day and stay safe,
Glenn
Glenn. I try to read you every day and even, sometimes, agree with your point of view. Here you completely miss the point. Militia’s were made up of citizens who owned guns. The abridgment of that right was not to be taken away. Having said that and having finished, this year, pretty heavy training on gun use I thought I would share what my more than able coaches taught me. Safety, Safety and Safety. The proper ownership of guns requires knowledge of proper use. Adequately trained citizens who own guns are not a threat. Criminals and the ill-trained are. I don’t think most anyone who I know does not believe that things like red flag laws, training requirements and the like is an abridgment. I was amazed to find out, for example, that there is proper and improper protocol for using a holster. Had 4 hours of training in it. I have been encouraged to continue practice and disciplining myself. Wonder if you have read stories where citizens with gun permits actually saved lives. Gang bangers and other criminals will have guns regardless of the law. What would you suggest citizens do to protect themselves with police forces not capable of being on every street corner? Hope you guys are well. Love that you continue to write this. A very worthy endeavor if you ask me.