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Re: Guns and Religion...and Brazil

By: DigSpace in ALEA | Recommend this post (0)
Mon, 28 Jan 13 8:36 PM | 49 view(s)
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Msg. 12550 of 54959
(This msg. is a reply to 12545 by Down And Out Man)

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generally, when looking at total gun death versus gun ownership one sees a strong correlation. If one removes suicide fromthe numbers the correlation is largely, but not entirely, broken. The US, e.g., still leads while well-armed countries like Switzerland fall below the line.

A case study perhaps is Brazil. Brazil enjoyed very high ownership and death rates. They have moved sharply to curtail ownership through stiff regulation. They still have a death rate (gun deaths per capita) that dwarfs the US. The rules came on line in 2003, and while their rates are still bad, they HAve fallen dramatically (a 1/3rd 2/3rds or something like that).

The country has some very scary violent slums, active criminal gangs and drug trade, it may serve as a reasonable 'what if' model after about 8 years one sees meaningful reductions in gun violence although still have a comparatively gun-violent nation.


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The above is a reply to the following message:
Re: Guns and Religion...and cars
By: Down And Out Man
in ALEA
Mon, 28 Jan 13 7:07 PM
Msg. 12545 of 54959

I stay quiet during gun debates. Partly because I am sitting in the middle, and mostly because I honestly don't think I have the first clue what would really work.

Do we need to do a much better job of keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill? Yes. The "sane" but with a calloused attitude toward human life? Absolutely.

Does a "regular" citizen need an assault rifle? Probably not.

But I also think banning them will work about as well as the laws against drugs.

I will continue to avoid certain parts of town whether we do or don't ban assault weapons. Or even all guns.

I will continue to always be aware of my surroundings....and fear that odds are much higher I'll be impacted by a distracted driver than I will an armed intruder.

I'll sit back and let the rest of the folks figure out what to do. I see merit in arguments on both sides.

But I do have one over riding concern...or question. What logic says you can walk into a gun show and buy arms with less "hassle" than from a gun dealer? HUH?

I have many close relatives and friends that hunt. They've got gun cases/safes full of various guns. I have no desire whatsoever to take the life of an animal for "pleasure". So, while I "understand" their sport, I also don't.

But they are all the folks that aren't ever going to go out and do harm to humans with their guns.

The teenager with handgun in his wasteband......now that is one of the scariest things I've ever seen. (Which I have seen, right in my own front street.) I hope they figure out how to put I stop to it. I just wish it was as easy as outlawing them.

D&O


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