Hi Walter,

Our statistics seem to be doing very well considering (they are plummeting) according to the bureau of justice statistics):

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/guns.htm

This is interesting:
http://www.justfacts.com/gun_control.htm

Just some more links to throw around. :o)


http://www.guncontrol.ca/Content/TheCaseForGunControl.html#intl

The one above, while compiled to support gun control, actually leans the opposite or presents no case either way to me. When I look at the statistics between Canada and the U.S. which includes the number of firearms and the number of deaths and accidents from firearms - the statistics don't support the argument. for isntance, the U.S. had 30 times more firearms than Canada and 63 times more handguns but only 1.5 times the number of accidental deaths from firearms, 1.9 times the number of suicides with firearms and 2.7 times the total deaths by firearms. 7.9 times the number of murders with firearms, 14.5 times the number of murders with handguns, 1.8 times the number of murders without guns. In 1998 the U.S. had 8.9 times the population of Canada. the overall homicide rate per 100,000 was 3.6x higher, 2.4 times higher with firearms and 1.6 times higher with handguns.



>Tracy,
>
>>>That depends. With accidents, I mean 'accidents', like children get at guns and start shooting at other people.
>
>>But by that reasoning swimming pools should be outlawed as well.
>
>Awwww, sorry tracy, I have no axe to grind with you, but I can't believe the stupidity behind those statements.
>
>Accidents should be prevented. Therefore, little children should by law protected. The primary goal of swimming pools is to recreate which in itself is innocent. The primary goal of guns is ??
>
>We protect our citizens by having governmental rules like:
>- You have to wear a safety belt when driving a car.
>- Little children should sit in a proper seat in the back.
>- You cannot drive until you're a certain age.
>- You cannot drink until you're a certain age.
>- Elderly people have to be checked every year to determine they still can drive a car.
>
>Guns have no real purpose in our society other than to threat and kill. Sure there are a lot of of other items with wich you potentially could kill, but that is not their primary purpose.
>
>Dowload the paper from http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi198.html, and look at table1. You'll see that in australia about half of the gun-related hospitalisations are by accident.
>
>Further look at the overwhelming statistical numbers and analysis. If you can provide me with a simular statistics and analysis comming from any of your governmental sources, with an in depth analysis saying that gun control does not work, I'm happy to eat my crow and agree with you.
>
>However in this thread all I've seem some inconsistent statements by some people with vague numbers for supporting their statements without and reference of source and no in depth analysis.
>
>What I've seen in this thread is that people start participating in this thread with a personal standpoint and google any link that might support their standpoint without questioning the source, the numbers and the statistical analysis. Just throwin links arround does not prove anything. Search for reliable links with some reliable data and analysis.
>
>Walter,