When politicians and the mainstream media talk about guns, they like to focus on the numbers of those killed or injured by guns. While any death is tragic, the simple truth is that depriving good citizens from self defense doesn’t reduce any crime. Oddly, the Left likes to focus on police killing of Blacks, again, tragic, but the numbers don’t measure up to the number of cops killed. We’re focusing on the wrong numbers, which inevitably leads to the wrong solutions. Remember story problems in math? I hated them, but the trick was always to sort out the numbers you needed to use for your equation. Pick the wrong ones, or focus on the wrong equation and the solution you arrived at wouldn’t meet the goal.
Data
There are approximately 77.49 MM adult registered gun owners in the US. This number is based on reporting, both from background checks, which, for all law-abiding adults is 100% of buyers. But people inherit weapons, have them from military service and build them on their own, which means the total number of owners is likely to be higher. When you read data based on surveys, remember that in the toxic political environment we’re in now, few gun owners wish to report to pollsters the truth of their gun ownership. The total number of guns in the US will almost always be unknown.
When politicians who oppose the Bill of Rights come into office, gun ownership increases. I remember hearing how many people bought guns during Obama’s term; they were afraid they’d lose the chance. I even had a tee-shirt heralding his term as “Top Gun Salesman in the US.” 2020 really scared people, leading to the highest number of firearms purchased in history (39,696,314 background checks). Increasing numbers of adults are buying additional weapons or purchasing their first weapon, especially women.
The reasons vary, but prominent among them is the desire for personal protection. In the years following the BLM’s movement to “Defund the Police,” many feared that there wouldn’t be someone to save them if they were attacked. They were right. In fact, most of the time, the police are there to solve crimes and apprehend perps, not to prevent crimes.
The problem is that of those gun owners, only 22.01 MM have concealed carry permits. Aside from home invasions, you are most likely to be threatened outside your home. The good news, sort of, is that 26 states now have constitutional carry, which means that you don’t have to go through an application process to carry a concealed weapon. Generally, when more than ½ of the states agree to something, the Feds make it federal law, but not in this case. While the SCOTUS Bruen decision forced states to become “shall issue,” meaning they were not allowed to deny carry permits to those with “insufficient cause,” in practice, it takes years to get your permit, costs too much and involves scrutiny that makes little sense. Realistically, there should be the DOJ review of your background and a shooting test. If there are doubts about the applicant’s sanity, go ahead and do an interview. But most of us not only should be able to carry, we also hope never to need to use the gun we carry.
More Data
Too many believe there isn’t a need for people to carry guns. Despite the risk of severe financial and punitive results in using a gun, there are approximately 182,000 defensive gun uses per year. This is probably an undercount, as many people simple brandish a weapon, scaring the perp away. Gun homicides are 10% higher in states where they restrict the right of people to carry guns. As an example, after Florida started making it easier for people to carry, the homicide rate dropped from 36% higher than the national average to 4% below. Florida has a lot of drug-related crime as well as attacks against seniors, but even so, the possibility that someone might be carrying gave criminals pause. Texas saw significant reductions in murder rates as well. Other crimes, such as rapes also fall quickly, when the odds no longer favor the criminal.
What about the risk of those who carry using their weapons improperly? Crime rates involving people who have a carry license have maintained a consistent rate of 0.02%. Most who carry never use their guns outside of a gun range or hunting site. None of us hope to have to use a gun. However, I believe that the knowledge that one has options gives a person more confidence which deters criminals. In places like FL and TX where many may be carrying, there are fewer crimes simply because crooks don’t like the odds.
Continued Attacks on the Constitution
In Leftist cities and states, lawmakers continue to pass laws trying to impede gun owners’ rights. Oddly, few of the laws they propose or pass (most likely, none of them) affect criminals, nor are aimed at criminals. They are clear violations of the 2nd Amendment and as such, usually end up failing. New York City tried to make the whole city a “sensitive area” where guns couldn’t be carried. That didn’t work. Nor should California’s SB2 – another infringement on good people’s rights. And yet, there is no evidence that good people are the cause of the violence.
Instead, we have an increased number of mentally deranged types who find ways to beg, borrow or steal guns. They are the ones we need to stop, not grandma who is sick of having her purse stolen and being punched in the face. Politicians don’t care about the victims. We’ve seen that clearly now that courts continually lower penalties and turn repeat offenders back onto the streets.
We need to remember that Japan feared sending an army to America, because, as they said, “Everyone is armed.” That’s a good position to be in, especially at a time when we face dire threats not only from China, but the many terrorists around the world.
Ignore the scare tactics of the Left. Look at the data and realize that when other people have guns, the unarmed are also protected because criminals don’t know who is armed. But as long as people who shoot defensively are charged with greater crimes than the crooks and bankrupted, don’t wait and hope someone else will defend you. Vote for better laws that enable someone to be the Good Samaritan you count on.
And stay away from “gun free zones.” That’s like leaving your car and house unlocked with a sign “we don’t shoot criminals.” Refuse to be a victim.
