If murders committed by young black males (57% of all murders in the US) and murders by illegal aliens are excluded, the US ranks about average for developed countries. Since all countries have segments of population who cause problems, this isn't a fair adjustment, but it does point out that the real problem is not the weapons.
Notably, most people opposed to private gun ownership in this country propose "compomise" laws like "assault weapons" bans and registering gun owners. They ignore the easily proven facts. Rifles of all kinds ( including the sport rifles liberals like to call assault rifles) kill fewer people each year than hammers or fists. Murders by rifles in the US account for less than one twentieth of one percent of all murders. They ignore that most murders are committed with stolen handguns by individuals who could not legally own a weapon. Criminals generally don't apply for gun permits, or buy legal weapons with background checks.
So, regardless whether you carry as often as you wear a watch, or are afraid of guns, my position is the only way to restrict gun ownership in the US is to repeal the 2nd Amendment. And that ain't gonna' happen. There are 300 million guns in the hands of more than 100 million Americans, who collectively will oppose that repeal. Some feel strongly emough that they will use force.
Switzerland has half the number of guns per capita, both military and private, as the US has private guns. The Swiss have stringent regulation of access to guns and ammunition. Ammunition for military weapons (over 70% of the guns in Switzerland) must be kept at arsenals. This eliminates shooting your wife and kids in a fit of rage.
Weapons acquisition permits and gun carrying permits are required. The number and type of guns an individual can purchase is limited in multiple ways. The per capita private gun ownership is about one-seventh that of the US and the homicide rate is about one-seventh that of the US. Coincidence?
10 comments
Guns per 100 residents, Murders per million residents.
All countries with median GDP per capita in excess of $20,000 per year.
Guns Murders
89 50 United States
16 10 Median for 39 countries, excluding US
1/6 1/5 Ratios 39 countries/US
30 3 Iceland
30 5 Austria
1 5 Singapore
1 5 Japan
31 6 Norway
25 6 Bahrain
14 6 Slovenia
46 7 Switzerland
25 7 Oman
30 8 Germany
23 8 United Arab Emirates
19 9 Qatar
16 9 Czech Republic
12 9 Denmark
10 9 Spain
35 10 Saudi Arabia
32 10 Sweden
23 10 Greece
12 10 Italy
12 10 Malta
4 11 Netherlands
15 12 Australia
9 12 Ireland
8 12 Portugal
8 12 United Kingdom
1 13 Poland
31 14 France
23 15 New Zealand
8 15 Slovakia
36 17 Cyprus
17 17 Belgium
31 18 Canada
7 21 Israel
25 22 Kuwait
45 23 Finland
15 25 Luxembourg
1 29 South Korea
5 36 Taiwan
9 52 Estonia
89 50 United States
16 10 Median for 39 countries, excluding US
1/6 1/5 Ratios 39 countries/US"
We win!
Y'all have a helluva lotta catching up to do.
In America it's something like 40% of households.
The simple availability of guns isn't the issue.
Notably, most people opposed to private gun ownership in this country propose "compomise" laws like "assault weapons" bans and registering gun owners. They ignore the easily proven facts. Rifles of all kinds ( including the sport rifles liberals like to call assault rifles) kill fewer people each year than hammers or fists. Murders by rifles in the US account for less than one twentieth of one percent of all murders. They ignore that most murders are committed with stolen handguns by individuals who could not legally own a weapon. Criminals generally don't apply for gun permits, or buy legal weapons with background checks.
So, regardless whether you carry as often as you wear a watch, or are afraid of guns, my position is the only way to restrict gun ownership in the US is to repeal the 2nd Amendment. And that ain't gonna' happen. There are 300 million guns in the hands of more than 100 million Americans, who collectively will oppose that repeal. Some feel strongly emough that they will use force.
Weapons acquisition permits and gun carrying permits are required. The number and type of guns an individual can purchase is limited in multiple ways. The per capita private gun ownership is about one-seventh that of the US and the homicide rate is about one-seventh that of the US. Coincidence?