On violence and guns
In follow-up to today's column on gun violence, some statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice in recent years:
State and local law enforcement agencies reported 14,831 murder victims to the FBI in 2007.
Of the homicides in 2007 for which the type of weapon was specified, 72.9 percent of the offenses involved the use of firearms. Handguns comprised 87.8 percent of the firearms specified.
The homicide rate nearly doubled from the mid 1960's to the late 1970's. In 1980, it peaked at 10.2 per 100,000 population and subsequently fell off to 7.9 per 100,000 in 1984. It rose again in the late 1980's and early 1990's to another peak in 1991 of 9.8 per 100,000.
From 1992 to 2000, the rate declined sharply. Since then, the rate has been stable.
Like the homicide rate generally, gun-involved incidents increased sharply in the late 1980's and early 1990's before falling to a low in 1999. The number of gun-involved homicides increased thereafter to levels experienced in the mid 1980's.
Gun homicides by adults 25 and older declined through 1999, but have increased since then.
Few homicides involve multiple offenders and fewer involve multiple victims.
Homicides are more likely to involve multiple offenders than multiple victims.
The proportion of homicides involving multiple offenders rose dramatically in the late 1980's and early 1990's and remains high; it was 11.5% in 1976 and 20.3% in 2005.
The proportion of homicides involving multiple victims increased gradually during the last two decades from 3.1% of all homicides in 1976 to 4.4% in 2005.
The number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty has declined since the early 1970's. Most law enforcement officers are killed with firearms, particularly handguns.
About 11% of murder victims were determined to have been killed by an intimate. In general, guns are most often used in intimate homicide but weapon type varies by relationship. From 1990 to 2005 -- over two-thirds of the spouse and ex-spouse victims were killed by guns.
Comments
What percentage of those guns that were used to murder, were legally purchsed? How many were stolen or obtained on the black market?
Posted by: bob | April 21, 2009 3:50 PM
I wonder what statistics the Nazi's used when they lawfully disarmed the Jews? How many people like you supported disarming the people? After disarming them, where did they put them....oh that's right---the gas chamber.
People like you that support systematically disarming law abiding citizens were on the wrong side of history then. And, you've yet to learn from history.
Keep spitting out stats, but answer this, when the Nazi's embraced gun control like you are did it make for a safer society?
Posted by: Justin Proctor | April 21, 2009 5:01 PM
The only legitimate source of power in our country is the will of the people. Freedom and the ability to choose our leaders makes our lot as US citizens the extreme minority when considering both history and the present. We are truly blessed.
That being said, our Constitution guarantees each citizen the individual right to keep and bear arms. The purpose of the 2nd Amendment is not for hunting or for home protection, but rather so that, as free people, we have the ability to ensure our continued freedom. When you understand its purpose, the 2nd Amendment is part and parcel with our right to vote for our leaders. Remember, we are always one generation away from losing our freedom and our way of life.
So I ask you, do you also believe that we should not be allowed to vote? What is more, how do you propose the people take back the power should our government revert to the norm (subjects not citizens of the government) if all arms reside with the government?
Posted by: Mike D | April 21, 2009 10:54 PM