When will we learn?

[rowsdowerisms.livejournal.com]

Comments

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

The facts reported in that article for Australia are used misleadingly at best. The sexual abuse stats have a lot to do with awareness of reporting and nothing to do with guns. Also, "modest decline in massacres" from 5 in the 80s and early 90s to none since isn't a "modest decline" it's a "cessation". Gun suicides went right down and yes, other methods went up, but overall suicides were down dramatically (i.e. most gun suicides *don't* get replaced by other means).

Yes, assaults are up by 17%, meaning we've managed to reduce homicides even in a more violent society.

The reduction in gun ownership, if looked at without manipulating figures and using sleight of hand, absolutely led to less gun deaths.

[madscience.livejournal.com]

"from 5 in the 80s and early 90s to none since"

If you look at the history of massacres in Australia, it isn't unusual to go decades without one. You aren't in the clear yet. And since the point obviously hasn't been driven home yet: massacres are insignificant, even in the US. They are sensationalized far out of proportion to the actual threat they pose. Basing any kind of policy on them is insane.


"Yes, assaults are up by 17%, meaning we've managed to reduce homicides even in a more violent society."

No, that's not what that means, because you haven't reduced homicides in any way that is attributable to gun control. The decline in homicides since the ban exactly matches the trend line for the 30 years before the ban.