Posted on 07/12/2024 4:36:53 AM PDT by marktwain
The number of times firearms are used in self-defense is difficult to quantify. In a rare analysis of data concerning deaths related to firearms, the Colorado Center for Health & Environmental data has produced figures that indicate firearms are commonly used for self-defense.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment analyzed 5,287 firearm-related deaths in Colorado from 2016 to 2020. Of those deaths, the vast majority, 73.6%, were suicides. 24.9% were homicides/assaults (about 1316). Of the homicides, 24.7% were justifiable self-defense (about 325).
The 24.7% of firearms homicides is plausible. However, the number of justifiable homicides is seldom compiled and recorded in official statistics. The FBI records some justifiable homicide data, but the FBI’s definition of what is recorded as a justifiable homicide is extremely limited. Studies of overall homicide data compared to what is reported and recorded by the FBI indicate actual numbers of justifiable homicide are about five times those recorded in the FBI Uniform Crime Reports (UCR). The UCR was changed to an event-based system, so UCR data is only available through 2019.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Does that mean “self-defense” + “criminal used weapon on victim, but killed himself” + “criminal used weapon but victim killed him” + “suicide?”
My comment is slightly off topic but is self defense related. Yesterday I asked a question about JHP vs FMJ in defense against bears and got a few good replies indicating FMJ is the best choice.
I’m asking advice now on defense against an armed person hiding behind a vehicle. To get to that person the projectile needs to crash through a couple layers of sheet metal, some plastic and other materials. My guess is in this scenario the FMJ would also be the best, right? And if I am right the FMJ would then be the best round to use as it covers more probabilities.
FWIW, I have experimented with 45 Long Colts solid bullets and they will fly right through six layers of sheet metal when fired from a distance of 50 feet. I’m confident 45 ACP & 40 Cal FMJ’s would do the same but a 9 mil would not. I’m just wondering if anyone has had any experience with hollow points with those rounds going through sheet metal layers.
If they allowed citizens to carry concealed, a d didn’t restrict how citizens can use their guns so severely, that n7mber would rise to 3 in 4 use their guns for self defense, and crim8nals are moving away to more liberal areas where citizens can’t protect themselves so easily as a result.
Velocity is energy. I wouldn’t put that much faith in the .45 ACP
A rifle loaded with FMJ ammunition would be the "best defense against an armed person hiding behind a vehicle". That load will punch right through a car unless the attacker is hiding behind the engine block. And even if it does not hit directly, it will spray shrapnel at their face.
But you rarely get to choose what the attacker is going to do. It is even less common that you will have time to change your loadout to exactly match the tactical circumstances. You go with what you have at the time.
If you have a pistol, the general load I would recommend for defensive use is hollow point. That ammunition is more likely to yield a one-hit stop and less likely to punch through walls to hit somebody else you did not intent to hit.
If the attacker is behind a vehicle, then flank them. Or just GTFO. You are in "self-defense" mode, right? Running away is always a valid choice.
For a rifle, I would agree that FMJ rounds deal better with a few corner cases, which makes them a more suitable choice. And regardless of load, a rifle shot is more likely to yield a one-hit stop than a pistol shot.
Larry Elder says it’s hard to evaluate armed self-defense b/c often the just the brandishing of a weapon is enough to scare off criminals.
People are also very very hesitant to report having to brandish or use a weapon, even for self defense.
You break into my home and get past my dogs, you will be greeted by a .357, which I keep within arm’s reach - and wont hesitate to use.
Check out its history. It was designed to kill in one shot. The 1911 was made in several calibers and tests were run on lethality. The search was for the smallest caliber that would kill a cow in one shot. I kid you not, they shot cows.
The 45 did the job, and the US military bought the 1911 45. Velocity is not energy. It is energy and mass.
Cows are routinely killed with a .22. They drop like a bag of dirt.
[Cows are routinely killed with a .22. They drop like a bag of dirt.]
I’m gonna taunt my neighbors’ cows with that information.
Liberty hollow point aluminum - 78grain at 1950fps.
Some people think that round might not penetrate a couple layers of heavy Carhart - it frags. But it’ll most likely knock someone on their ass giving me enough time to pump a few more into them.
Have you personally shot any live animal with anything.
I have shot hundreds of big game animals and seen many more shot.
With rifles, shotguns and various caliber handguns.
The 45acp is ok with modern defensive ammo.
The https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompson%E2%80%93LaGarde_Tests
to put it mildly were not overly accurate in their findings.
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