The American Weapon – Boomerang.
If I lived in the US now, I certainly would prefer to buy me a gun before going to town. Perhaps not if I lived in the Portland, Oregon region, witch, referring to statistics, have the lowest homicide rate, 1.4 killed per100.000, out of 48 US metropolitan areas.
If, however I had to move to the charming New Orleans area, with 19 killed per 100.000, I most likely would run to the weapon store immediately. Here I would buy me a half automatic AR-15, and barricade me and my family inside our little house. Sorry for being a bit paranoid but I follow the news daily.
For a Scandinavian there seems to be a locking paradox embedded in the discussion around Civil Rights, weapon and weapon control in the US. On the News, daily you definitely get the impression that life is very dangerous in America. And on the individual level you surely want to protect yourself and your family.
On the societal level, however we know that easy access to alcohol, drugs, and dope rises the rate of problems, accidents, and disease followed by widespread use of these substances. But what then about having a policy giving easy access to weapons to protect yourself. Does this enhance the rate of killings too?
Like alcohol, drugs and dope, this is a many faceted and complex problem.
Research and statistics gives us a direction
There are nearly 12,000 gun murders a year in the U.S. – and despite falling crime rates, that number has barely changed since the late 1990s. (The US Center for Disease Control)
The overall homicide rate, among the metro areas whose principal city is in a state that requires some form of permit to purchase a gun, is 4.32 per 100,000 residents, compared with 5.74 among cities in no-permit states. This certainly does not confirm the gun control = higher violent crime hypothesis. Quite the opposite! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-h-bailey/does-gun-control-encourage-crime_b_7917684.html
Are there any solutions to this dilemma,- between hardcore statistics and the individual feeling of protection ?
We must start admitting that: The bullet we use in our guns to protect ourselves can ricochet, and even turn back on us like a boomerang.
To save precious American lives we must start gradual weapon control all over the country. And weapon amnesty and refunding for the most dangerous types of weapon. Perhaps then, we can avoid Columbine, Sandy- Hook and Orlando mass murders on repeat!
WITH LESS WEAPONS!
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