Perhaps he could spin this report into a tale of patriotism...
ATLANTA: The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on gun ownership last week
focused on citizens' ability to defend themselves from intruders in their
homes. But research shows that surprisingly often, gun owners use the weapons
on themselves.
Suicides accounted for 55% of the nation's nearly 31,000 firearm deaths in
2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available from the centers
for disease control and prevention.
There was nothing unique about that year — gun-related suicides have
outnumbered firearm homicides and accidents for 20 of the last 25 years. In
2005, homicides accounted for 40% of gun deaths. Accidents accounted for 3%.
The remaining 2% included legal killings, such as when police do the shooting
and cases that involve undetermined intent.
Public-health researchers have concluded that in homes where guns are present,
the likelihood that someone in the home will die from suicide or homicide is
much greater.
Studies have also shown that homes in which a suicide occurred were three to
five times more likely to have a gun present than households that did not
experience a suicide, even after accounting for other risk factors.
In a 5-4 decision, the high court struck down a handgun ban enacted in the
District of Columbia in 1976 and rejected requirements that firearms have
trigger locks or be kept disassembled. The ruling left intact the district's
licensing restrictions for gun owners.
One public-health study found that suicide and homicide rates in the district
dropped after the ban was adopted. The district has allowed shotguns and rifles
to be kept in homes if they are registered, kept unloaded and taken apart or
equipped with trigger locks.
The American Public Health Association, the American Association of Suicidology
and two other groups filed a legal brief supporting the district's ban. More
than 90 percent of suicide attempts using guns are successful, while the
success rate for jumping from high places was 34%. The success rate for drug
overdose was 2%, the brief said, citing studies.
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