Gun-toting motorists more prone to road rage (Banglist Barf Alert)

New Scientist ^ | 3 feb 06 | Anon

[white trash redneck]

GUN lobbyists like to repeat the quote often attributed to American writer Robert Heinlein, that "an armed society is a polite society". But this is certainly not true for motorists.

A survey of 2400 drivers carried out by David Hemenway and his colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health shows that motorists who carry guns in their cars are far more likely to indulge in road rage - driving aggressively or making obscene gestures - than motorists without guns. Some 23 per cent of gun-toting drivers admitted making rude signs, compared with 16 per cent of those who did not carry guns (Accident Analysis and Prevention, DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2005.12.014).

Yet in some states it is easier than ever to own a gun and carry it a car. In the past two decades 23 states have eased restrictions on carrying guns, says researcher Mary Vriniotis. Police no longer have the right to ban someone they consider unsuitable from owning a gun. People now only have to pass background checks, such as the absence of criminal convictions.

“In some states it is easier than ever to own a gun and carry it in a car”

"Our findings indicate that the people driving around with guns in their cars are not among the most responsible and best-behaved people on the road," says Vriniotis. "In the interests of injury and violence prevention, it probably makes more sense to tighten rather than relax restrictions on gun carrying in motor vehicles."

[11Bush]

It's amazing how the photo of the 'guy' always fits the mental image I have created from the article.

[TC Rider]

"Hi! I'm David Hemenway and I'm a hoplophobe and a dweeb!"

This sucks so bad. I just spent 20 minutes on Google and cannot get to the original article that might shed some light on methodology of this survey, where the sample came from, how they were selected, etc.

If this was all done in Mass, where there is no CCW, what relevance does it have? Were these participants actual CCW holders or people keeping guns in their car illegally?

Let's hear about actual cases of CCW holders going nuts on the highway. You know, the 'High Noon', 'Dodge City', streets running with blood crap we all heard would happen if CCW ever passed into law.

Hey! David Hemenway! A survey? A freakin' survey? is that all you got?

[TC Rider]

"Police no longer have the right to ban someone they consider unsuitable from owning a gun."

Yeah, I remember the good old days when the police could decide. We lived in Birmingham back in '63 when the police could decide and not one 'person of color' was ever granted permission to hold and carry a gun.

Is this what Hemenway wants?

[TC Rider]

Police no longer have the right to ban someone they consider unsuitable from owning a gun.

When did they?

My childhood memories of the cops deciding (Bull Conner and Birmingham)

[from occupied ga]

Is this what Hemenway wants

Not exactly - he wants the police to deny the rights of EVERYONE who doesn't think exactly like he does.

[RightWhale]

Actually, having a .45 on the seat makes it much easier to ignore rude behavior.

[Altamira]

Geez, that guy looks like death on a Ritz cracker.

[sig226]

Way back when I lived in Texas, I was driving a crew from Austin to Dallas to inventory a supermarket. Some guy cut me off and I flipped him the bird and honked.

The Texas residents warned me not to do that because, "they'll shoot you for it."

Well, now that honest people are carrying guns, maybe they're not so worried about gunfights over gestures.

[P8riot]

HORSE
HOCKEY!

[Firefigher NC]

Actually I find that when I drive with a gun I am much more restrained in my driving and actions. Because I know that if I do something stupid with a firearm in my car I will get in a lot more trouble. And that's the way it should be.