Posted on 09/26/2017 4:54:41 PM PDT by marktwain
As shown in the image above, many countries with extreme gun control have higher suicide rates than the United States. When criminologists showed that murder rates either dropped or remained the same when guns were more easily accessed, proponents of a disarmed society turned to suicide.
Their studies about suicides “caused” by firearms ownership, tend to be junk science. Consider a recent “study” published only with the American Public Health Association. It was done about suicides in Maryland. Maryland is densely populated and has extremely strict gun control. Only 3.5% of the suicides were in rural areas. The numbers are likely correct, but the interpretation leaves much to be desired. From reuters.com:
In particular, doctors need to pay close attention to gun use and mental health for men, the study results suggest. That’s because 89 percent of the gun-related suicides occurred among men, and because the higher rural suicide rate was only true for men. Firearm suicide rates were 36 percent higher for rural men than urban men. But rural women were 37 percent less likely to commit suicide than urban women, regardless of the method.
The author of the study draws this mind-numbing conclusion, directly in contradiction to the evidence just cited:
“Access to guns in the home creates a higher risk of suicide for family members whether or not there are known mental health concerns,” Nelson said. “Secure gun storage – locked, preferably in a storage cabinet, and unloaded with ammunition locked up separately – should be routine in gun-owning homes.”
And how is locking up guns and ammunition supposed to prevent suicides, especially by men who preferentially own guns? Another conclusion, likely as valid, is that rural areas with guns prevent women from committing suicide, as the rate of women committing
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Slightly off topic but, what was going on in Switzerland in the ‘70s and ‘80s?
Positive news out of Maryland. I think.
Don’t know about the suicide rates in Switzerland in that period.
Swiss data interpretation takes effort.
For example, “attempted murder” incidents are counted as murders in Switzerland, at least for crimes with guns.
I see what you mean. I guess if they count running out of chocolate as a suicide that would explain the high rates. ;-)
Thanks for replying to my off topic query.
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“Secure gun storage – locked, preferably in a storage cabinet, and unloaded with ammunition locked up separately – should be routine in gun-owning homes.”
I wonder how many people here believe this.
NONE; all of my firearms are immediately available for use if necessary.
Long guns are all hanging on the walls (those that will fit), those that I use rarely are locked up in the shop.
All hand guns are stashed about the house in strategic locations, those handguns not in current use are also locked up in the shop.
All weapons in the house are loaded (nothing chambered) and ready for immediate use.
Don’t have any visitors, don’t have any young children, wife knows everything is ready to rock and roll if required.
When we have to leave the house for any extended period of time (days or weeks) we both pack one pistol and one rifle or shotgun, everything else gets locked up.
We live in the middle of nowhere and Sheriff response time is up to 2 to 4 hours away, never had a firearm incident (I don’t call them accidents) and don’t intend to start now.
Rather be tried by twelve than carried by six.
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