Here's where the gun violence graphic first came to my attention. It was an eye-catching image posted by longtime and highly-trusted FReeper onyx in FReepathon thread XIV. The full URL to the image she posted is:
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/23367_325623620891606_448023651_n.png
I have been unable, thus far, to find any further information about its origin and the underlying statistics (aside from the FBI citation) upon which the maps were based.
That said, the graphic certainly does pass the "smell test". Those regions that vote Democrat are typically low in weapon ownership due to draconian gun restrictions. Consequently, it is logical that the rates of gun-related violence would index higher since good citizens have little means to protect themselves against outlaws and thugs. Conversely, states such as Oklahoma where not a single county went for Obama in either 2008 or 2012 have high rates of lawful gun ownership and, of course, it follows that violence due to guns is very low. And since I'm here in Texas, I can attest, based on admittedly anecdotal evidence, that gun violence is nearly always restricted to the liberal areas, such as the heavily-Mexican, heavily-Democrat Rio Grande Valley. By way of contrast, the predominately Christian and Conservative city of Plano, Texas has a very high rate of gun ownership. Resultantly, it's the safest city in America.
Yes, it would be optimal to get the raw data behind the map (shown below as a courtesy to all to reexamine) but based upon all that I have seen and applying dispassionate logic, it does reflect reality in my opinion.
