The internet is a great tool, and some media make and effort in getting the stories right. However, a great many "facts" are not told with total disclosure of the information and/or how it was gathered or what was included. Just by making a slight tweak in the poll's or numbers changes the information dramatically. So, too is the use of words that should not be used in the proper context. Below I will attempt to try and clear up some of the smoke that has hazed over the information and point out some insight. All the numbers, statistics and facts are real, for sake of space and time, I have not included them, but can be found at "WWW.GunFacts.info". As well many can also be found by "digging" through the FBI and CDC archives, put on a pot of coffee. So let's delve into the adventure.
Myth- Since Sandy Hook shooting, there have been 96 school shootings.
The study included College campuses (47%), Suicides attempts (18%) and cases where no one was injured (27%). A great many of the information is unrelated to school activity or actually occurred near it. If you dig deeper into it, some of the case's occurred at facilities where "students" was at that was not school property, or was leased for use by school do to size or renovation, and the incident that took place had nothing to do with the "students".
Myth- Each day there are 13 children killed by firearms.
This statistic is skewed by using the word "children". A "child" is usually defined as birth till puberty. But a great many statistics figure in are actually teens and up to 24 year old's. When you do it that way the figures will go up a lot, just by realizing that a great many of the teen's are in Gangs or gang related shootings. Fact is that in 2012 411 children (14 and under), little over one per day, died from gunfire. This combined homicides, accidents and suicides. According to the CDC over half of all homicides of victims aged 15-19 are gang-related, but still accounted in the "child" stats.
Suicides, which are included, account for 26% of deaths. Keep in mind that 1,446 children per year die in transportation accidents. Abuse and neglect of children by parents account for 80% of all child deaths (1,274), which dwarfs firearm deaths.
Myth- More children die from firearms in U.S. than anything else.
Keep in mind that 411 children that die from firearms, that 1,917 children die from Malaria (a disease eradicated in U.S.) each day around the world.
Myth- The system works, citizens are the issue.
This is not heard as much as once was. Especially, when you realize that the system is broke. A great many criminals are out long before they should be, let alone break out. Everyday, 15 men, women and children are murdered by convicted felon's that are in supervised parole/probation programs, in U.S.
Myth- School shootings are an epidemic.
Well, the fire school shooting that took place in 97-98' year, took place only after the 1995 Gun Free School Zones law was enacted, which banned guns within 1,000 feet of a school. Wow, is that a shock? In an 8 year period, states that do not have "right to carry" laws had 15 school shootings. But, there was only one in states that allowed citizens to carry firearms. Light bulb? The best example is what happen in Pearl, Mississippi, after the 1995 1,000' law went into effect the vice-principal, a man who carried his firearm everyday, had to store it in his vehicle a quarter of a mile away. In, 1997 there was a shooting, he ran to his vehicle, retrieved his firearm, dismissed the school and held the assailant till law enforcement could get there. Two young students laid on the floor of his school. Would him having his firearm been the deterrent? Could he of saved one or both if it was on him?
Myth-Trigger locks are a good deterrent to keep children from firearm accidents.
I never have been a fan of trigger locks and now you may see a few of the reasons. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that of the 32 models they tested, that 31 could be opened with a paper clip, scissors or tweezers. There was a 12% increase of fatal accidents in California once they enacted the "trigger lock" law, in 1994. The State of Texas, which did not have one such law, saw a decrease of 28%, instead relying on education. A trigger lock can be picked and/or broke by a child 7 years old or younger. Before the law, there was 80 million people who owned firearms and only 44 child accidental deaths under the age of 10, or .00001%.
Myth- Youth violence in America sparked by firearms.
Non-firearm youth crime rate in the U.S. is twice that of 25 other modern western nations. Look's like a violence problem, not chosen tool problem.
Myth- 1,300 children commit suicide with firearms.
Again, as we already talked about the "children" ages is skewed. Worldwide, the suicide rate is static, and the U.S. is lower than many other countries where firearms are banned, period. There will always be suicide in society, no matter what the tool is. It is interesting to note that female's usually choose poison or other (71% are by hanging or suffocation) form as to not disturb "beauty", while male's usually seek more grotesque means. Suicide rates in states that have passed mandatory 'safe storage" of firearms are virtually unchanged from states who did not.
Myth- The Columbine massacre would of been prevented by stricter gun control laws.
The two boy's who did the shooting broke 20 firearm laws in getting the weapons of choice. Two of the shotguns and one rifle used was purchased by a girlfriend (who passed background check) and the TEC-9 was already banned. One has to ask themselves, would 21 broken law's of mattered?
Myth- Children should be kept away from "Guns" for there own safety.
This is a huge misunderstanding and lack of education only hinders the problem. Parents that educate there children and get them firearms demonstrate parental responsibility. "Children" who get firearms illegally are twice as likely to commit street crime (24%) than those given a firearm by their parents (14%). Interesting note, homicide rate in the 1950's was almost half of that in the 1980's among "children". When they played cops and robbers, toy firearms and BB rifle's and many before puberty had a small caliber hunting rifle. It seems that they had an understanding of what violent acts would do and detered from them.
Myth- Children are hurt by guns than any other means.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), children are 12 times more likely to die in an autombile accident than firearm related homicides. In 2001 there was 72 accidental firearm deaths for children under 15, as opposed to over the 2,100 who drowned. Children are 29 times more likely to die from drowning than by firearms. Teach you kid's to swim!! Want to keep your children from being criminals, CDC says, that boys who own legal firearms (trusted with responsibility) have much lower rate of delinquency and drug use.
Fatal firearm accidents for children declined by 83%, while number of handguns per capita increased over 41%. Homicides of children under the age of 13, 82% was done without a firearm.
Myth- If it saves the life of one child, it is worth it.
2.5 million times each year or 6,846 times a day, private citizen's use firearms to prevent crime, to include rapes, aggravated assault and kidnapping. How many children's lives was saved using them lawfully? I think the number of innocent children saved outweighs the few.
Well, there is some of the statistics. If you read them carefully and do some of your own research I think you will find what I have. The issue is not firearms. The issue is as follows:
1) Lack of education- young people are curious, so why not take away the curiosity and educate them.
2) Family time- Children who have proper upbringing by parents and family do not get involved in trouble or crime.
3) Violent exposure- Educating children and/or limiting them to violence does enhance the right/wrong mentality. Informing them that what they see in the movies and T.V. is not how it is in the world goes along way.
What better way to spend time with youth's than in the field after game, or on a proper firing range. Spending quality time together, educating and giving them memory's that will be cherished.
Keep the future of America safe, educate them and teach them of responsible firearm handling and marksmanship.
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