WRT: The oft repeated line, "Gun bans = less gun crime"

[Nuclear Unicorn]

But do they lead to less violent crime? I keep seeing the claim bandied about and can't help but think it falls within the "lies, damned lies and statistics" category. The claim is always "fewer guns means less gun violence" never "fewer guns means less violence -- period."

It hardly seems an acceptable substitute to be murdered by stabbing, asphyxiation or bludgeoning than by shooting. Over 90% of violent sexual assaults are by an unarmed attacker (of the remaining 10% less than half of those -- around 3% overall -- are by an attacker with a gun). Most robbers, regardless of what they are armed with, want money, not corpses. Mass killers want notoriety and infamy (why not ban media coverage?) and cannot be deterred as far as the means for killing.

So, what good is it to ban 500,000 to 3 million defensive gun uses annually if actual criminal violence -- regardless of weapon employed -- does not decrease? Does it?

[bonzo925]

1. i support gun control

but i think the crime rate can be defined by a lot of other things that which to speak of will get oneself reviled.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. I ahve no idea what that means or how it applies to the OP.

That's not to be mean. In fact, I would invite you to speak openly about the OP.

[spin]

2. Defensive gun uses can and do reduce criime and deter criminal violence. ...

One night my daughter confronted a man attempting to force the sliding glass door in our kitchen open. He was half way through the door when my daughter confronted him and he didn't run until she pointed a large caliber revolver at him.

There was a working burglar alarm sounding and also a 60 pound Black Lab in the house. The alarm didn't deter the intruder but it did alert my daughter. The dog hated loud noises and simply went into hiding when the alarm went off.

[ileus]

4. I've recently found our dogs only bark if you ring the door bell.

Then and only then will they run to the front barking and investigate. Hopefully if there's something fishy going on out back they'll earn their keep.

[spin]

6. I once owned a Norwegian Elkhound. ...

If a person came to the door and I let him in, the dog would sit and quietly watch him. When he decided to leave, the dog would turn somewhat aggressive. I would have to restrain him until the visitor was out the door.

I often wondered if a burglar broke in, this dog would watch him until he decided to leave and then attack.

[ileus]

7. We had to "get rid" of a pound adopted dog 8 years back

because he didn't like anyone but family. He'd attack neighbors kids, any visitors, and especially anyone in any type of uniform. After one too many close calls we had to find him a new owner. He was a golden retriever, black lab mix I have no idea why he had such a disposition. I remember my Dad coming over once when he was just a few months old and he said "You'll have to get rid of that dog some day." He was 100% right.


We made the move to wiener's....LOL

[ileus]

3. Gun Bans equal an easier victim pool to select from.

And that's what those proponents of bans want...they want you right there begging with them, in a flock of 10,000 sheep it's easy to move to the middle.

They're also willing to let you get your head bashed in, it's easy to roll the dice with other peoples lives.

[pablo_marmol]

8. The Controllers ought to take care w/regard to what they wish for.

A few high-profile controllers have only recently started admitting that bans on "assault weapons" are misguided, given the infrequency of their use in crime. They grudgingly admit that the real problem is handguns in criminal hands.

So don't be surprised if restricting handguns remains part of The Controllers' agenda. But here's where these clowns need to be careful about what they wish for. The prison interviews of James Wright and Peter Rossi make it clear that if it were to become more difficult for criminals to obtain handguns, they'd be ready and willing to substitute sawed-off shotguns and rifles. Which would increase the death toll from guns given the much greater lethality of rifles and shotguns over pistols.

Of course The Controllers can't be bothered with thinking their brilliant schemes through to their probable outcomes.