I can certainly spin this positive:
Isn't it great that most gun owners are so proficient with their weapons that most cases of home defense do not end in death, but merely in the retreat or apprehension of the criminal? There are nearly 300,000,000 guns in the USA, and only the use of .0001% of them resulted in a death. Thankfully, even 55% of that .0001% were successful suicides, saving taxpayers and insurers astronomical costs from treating unsuccessful attempts. * 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. Studies have also shown that shark attacks are three to five more likely to occur where water is present than on land alone, even after taking other factors into consideration (and I'm not even a gun owner). _____ From: MoPo List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of rodxmorgan Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 11:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [MOPO] Dinner with John Charles Carter 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. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
