Originally posted by tzor
Originally posted by No Such Agency
Removal of weapons could also be one of the first steps towards a less-violent society.
I think there is enough evidence to disprove that easily. Violence stastics in gun controled countries is not lower than that of non gun controlled countries. This doesn\'t mean the argument to arm everyone is valid, but it does make the no guns is a less violent society invalid.
does it?
while violence may not be lower, gun deaths are! OK, these figures are a few years old, but the number of deaths in 2004/5 in the UK was less that in 1993. It is still less than 100 annually.
I know the following is difficult to read, but formatting is tricky in these little windows..........
Gun Deaths - International Comparisons
Gun deaths per 100,000 population (for the year indicated):
Homicide Suicide Unintentional
USA 4.08 (1999) 6.08 (1999) 0.42 (1999)
Canada 0.54 (1999) 2.65 (1997) 0.15 (1997)
Switzerland 0.50 (1999) 5.78 (1998) -
Scotland 0.12 (1999) 0.27 (1999) -
England/Wales 0.12 (1999/00) 0.22 (1999) 0.01 (1999)
Japan 0.04* (1998) 0.04 (1995) <0.01 (1997)
* Homicide & attempted homicide by handgun
Data collected by Philip Alpers, Harvard Injury Control Research Center, and HELP Network
Additional data can be found in Table A.10 of the World Report on Violence and Health, published by the World Health Organization on 3 October 2002.
I would think it a good idea, if there is enough evidence, to post a link in order to back up what you say. I\'m open to any arguments, with evidence to support it!