Quote:
Originally posted by JSDSKI
Well, it looks like homicide deaths went from 107 (1996 prelaw) to 47 (2001 postlaw) - thanks Ubiquity0.
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That would seem very impressive if one didn't look at the
facts. Of course, this is
exactly the sort of statitistical legerdermain used to support gun regulation or bans. Now look at the figures in context.
Would a reasonable person posit that the gun ban somehow caused handgun accident rates to increase the next 3 years following the '97 ban [1997(19), 1998(21), 1999(28), 2000(45)]? Of course not. That would be as intellectually dishonest as picking homicide deaths in 1996 and 2001.
Gun deaths had been steady declining and once the ban went into effect they (surprise) continued to decline.
I agree that culture is everything. Passing laws to remove guns from the law abiding doesn't change that culture. Leaving the the door of a city house unlocked won't make it safer just because people in the country leave their doors unlocked.
-Chris