Far More Defensive Gun Uses Than Murders

[Molly B.]

 

September 24, 2021

In Brief: Far More Defensive Gun Uses Than Murders

John Lott explains why you never hear of these stories amidst the slew of crimes tales.

Americans who value the Second Amendment know that it’s ultimately about Liberty. But much of the debate often ends up being about crime. Truth be told, the gun grabbers don’t fare any better on that front.

 

John Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, has researched and written extensively about this over the years, and he’s out with some new numbers about defensive gun use.

While Americans know that guns take many innocent lives every year, many don’t know that firearms also save them.

On May 15, an attacker at an apartment complex in Fort Smith, Ark., fatally shot a woman and then fired 93 rounds at other people before a man killed him with a bolt-action rifle. Police said he “likely saved a number of lives in the process.”

 

On June 30, a 12-year-old Louisiana boy used a hunting rifle to stop an armed burglar who was threatening his mother’s life during a home invasion.

 

On July 4, a Chicago gunman shot into a crowd of people, killing one and wounding two others before a concealed handgun permit holder shot and wounded the attacker. Police praised him for stepping in.

 

These are just a few of the nearly 1,000 instances reported by the media so far this year in which gun owners have stopped mass shootings and other murderous acts, saving countless lives. And crime experts say such high-profile cases represent only a small fraction of the instances in which guns are used defensively. But the data are unclear, for a number of reasons, and this has political ramifications because it seems to undercut the claims of gun rights advocates that they need to possess firearms for personal protection — an issue now before the Supreme Court.

 

Americans who look only at the daily headlines would be surprised to learn that, according to academic estimates, defensive gun uses — including instances when guns are simply shown to deter a crime — are four to five times more common than gun crimes, and far more frequent than the roughly 20,000 murders or fewer each year, with or without a gun. But even when they prevent mass public shootings, defensive uses rarely get national news coverage. Those living in major news markets such as New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles are unlikely to hear of such stories.

Lott goes on to indict the media for choosing the salacious crime stories over the more prevalent good ones. Their job isn’t fairness, of course, it’s selling a product. Crime sells. (read rest of article at the link below)

 

 

https://patriotpost.us/articles/82943-in-brief-far-more-defensive-gun-uses-than-murders-2021-09-24?fbclid=IwAR3ZBvoCLvNaQDC-8UAgNUXpuBuaVVpw_my9U73kvgurbHVzqVmnORyZuso

 

 

 

 

[JTHunter]

It would be interesting to know the number of DGUs where the firearm was NOT fired vs. those where it WAS fired.

[Bubbacs]

Not sure how anyone can collect data on a possible DGU where the gun was not fired!

If not fired and therefore not reported as simply showing a handgun to deter a crime there would be no record.

DGU’s yes, none DGU’s no. Just my opinion.

[stigz]

Unfortunately, we aren't the crowd that needs or would be surprised by this. If only there was a profession that involved bringing truth and information to the masses.

[CaptCraig]

On 9/26/2021 at 9:19 PM, JTHunter said:

It would be interesting to know the number of DGUs where the firearm was NOT fired vs. those where it WAS fired.

 

Doesn't directly answer your question, but I found this on the CDC website. Here's a link to the rest of the page too. Firearm Violence Prevention |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC, 

Last couple paragraphs seem a little agenda heavy if you ask me.

 

Although definitions of defensive gun use vary, it is generally defined as the use of a firearm to protect and defend one’s self, family, others, and/or property against crime or victimization.

Estimates of defensive gun use vary depending on the questions asked, populations studied, timeframe, and other factors related to the design of studies. The report Priorities for Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violenceexternal icon indicates a range of 60,000 to 2.5 million defensive gun uses each year.

[raymond963]

If it could save just 60,000 lives...

[2A4Cook]

The CDC ... that is how they will try to kill the Second Amendment; as a "public health" issue.

[JTHunter]

On 10/14/2021 at 5:31 PM, CaptCraig said:

 

Doesn't directly answer your question, but I found this on the CDC website. Here's a link to the rest of the page too. Firearm Violence Prevention |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC, 

Last couple paragraphs seem a little agenda heavy if you ask me.

 

Would you expect anything less from the CDC? 👍

[JTHunter]

On 10/14/2021 at 9:18 PM, 2A4Cook said:

The CDC ... that is how they will try to kill the Second Amendment; as a "public health" issue.

 

Unfortunately, if they are successful at that, the rest of the BoR will follow rather quickly.