Pro-Gun Experts Prove Handguns Are Ineffective Self-Defense Tools(VPC BS ALERT)

VPC - ^ | November 19 | Naomi Seligman

[Dan from Michigan]

Pro-Gun Experts Prove Handguns Are Ineffective Self-Defense Tools, New VPC Study Reveals

WASHINGTON, DC—In response to the reported spike in handgun sales since the September 11th attacks, the Violence Policy Center (VPC) today released Unintended Consequences: Pro-Handgun Experts Prove That Handguns Are a Dangerous Choice For Self-Defense. The 90-page study demonstrates through the writings of pro-gun experts the ineffectiveness and dangers of handguns as alleged self-defense tools.

"While the gun industry has greedily hawked its wares in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy, they have worked even harder to keep hidden from the American public a secret they readily share among themselves—handguns pose grave dangers to their owners and families," states Tom Diaz, author of Unintended Consequences and VPC Senior Policy Analyst. "This study is comprised substantially of writings from pro-gun experts who readily admit handguns are basically impossible to use effectively in self-defense."

For example, Massad Ayoob, a legendary firearms instructor and respected pro-gun author has cautioned, "The uninitiated tend to make two kinds of mistakes with firearms: they either use guns when they shouldn't, or do not use them properly in the rare circumstances when they should." Ayoob has pointed out that, "The average American has more misconceptions about lethal force in the home than in any other self-defense situation. He not only has little understanding of his legal position under these circumstances; he has no idea of how to conduct himself if, by infinitesimal chance, the day comes when his home actually is turned into a battleground he must defend against armed criminals."

In fact, in 1998, for every time that a civilian used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 51 people lost their lives in handgun homicides alone. Yet, there have been an increasing number of news reports that women are a prime target for the gun industry as first-time handgun buyers. Left out of those reports is the fact that in 1999 for every one time a woman used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 120 women were murdered with handguns.

Handguns in the real world—as opposed to the industry's fantasy world of virtuous defensive gun use—make people who own them much less safe. The study reveals that according to leading pro-gun experts the overwhelming majority of people who own handguns:

are ignorant of—or ignore—basic handgun safety rules;

do not have the necessary handgun combat marksmanship skills to effectively defend themselves without harming innocent others; and,

are not prepared for the extreme physiological and psychological effects that the experts, many of whom have on-the-street law enforcement experience with firearms, agree inevitably occur in an armed life-or-death confrontation (the only situation in which lethal force is justified in self-defense).

[P8riot]

One word (oops two) Remington 870

[Brownie74]

Criminals are emboldened to break the law by a permissive society that absolves individuals of responsibility for their actions, and that shifts the blame to inanimate objects such as bullets and guns.

That just about says it all. Good find.

[Luis Gonzalez]

In typical liberal fashion, your posts are all attacks on the individual, and zero substance. Very Clintonian.

[Taxula]

Nowhere in this article does it state if those dying from guns had attempted to protect themselves. I have to wonder if these are numbers from basic crime stats.

[backhoe]

Appreciate the info- I am somewhat familiar with Dr. Faria & his work, altho I have not read any of it recently. He's one of the good guys on our side, so naturally the Media doesn't give him face time!

[CCWoody]

My only complaint is that you did not post this to a new thread and give us a link. Good article.

[CCWoody]

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is Captain Jack Smith. The crew and I would like to thank you for flying [airline de jour]. You are on Flight xxx from Los Angeles to Chicago. We will be flying at 33,000 feet, [yada, yada]. We should have a safe flight as I am informed that all luggage has been throughly checked, as well as passengers, no guns are on board...other than the armed sky marshalls, and the pilots. Thank you for flying the safe skies."

And yet, even screening well, terrorists manage to take planes hostage. May you kiss the hand that feeds you...

[Aric2000]

As far as passengers having guns on a flight, you are full of manure sir!! A gun owner has to be much more responsible then a normally unarmed citizen, and is.

If I am in a crowded theater of 300 people, I am almost positive that at least 10 of them have guns, and of course I am one of those 10. If a person pulls a gun, and starts aiming it around the room, even in the dark, I am positive that that person would be put down quickly and with extreme prejudice. And I believe without any accidental or colateral damage.

I place MUCH greater faith in my fellow citizens then you do, a criminal, would NOT knowingly walk into a situation where a victim would be armed. And if the criminal is armed, he especially does NOT want to go up against an armed victim, the victim will be that much more likely to shoot first and ask questions later.

No, I say let all persons with a CWP, carry ANYWHERE, and that includes aircraft!!!

[miss print]

Great suggestion! If I knew how to post this to a new thread, I probably would have; however, as Mercuria and I had discussed this article on another similar thread (about some anti-gun broad named Brock, sometime last week), I figured this thread was a good place to post it.

If you think it deserves its own thread, go for it! I am not offended at being FR-challenged. You are right, this is an article that everyone should read. I wonder if Dr. Faria has other good pro-gun articles on his website? Oops! First, does his organization have a website? Second, does the website have other pro-gun articles?

miss print

[Pharmboy]

Thanks for the flag...and love your handle ;-)

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I clearly answered you fears and refrained from personally attacking you."

Is that so?

"I don't know where you live but you are the most fearful person I have ever seen posting here."

"If the passengers were armed prior to 911 or even on 9-11 there wouldn't be close to 5 or 6 thousand dead now."

That's your opinion, or can you prove that?

"I wont make that mistake again."

You have yet to make that mistake, don't bother posting to me again, it will be just dandy with me. .

"My suggestion is that you should refrain from living because of the great risk involved.

"I clearly answered you fears and refrained from personally attacking you."

Yeah, right...

[blackie]

"Shameless shams!!!"

Right-on !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

The Right Of The People To Keep And Bear Arms Shall Not Be Infringed !!

An Armed Citizen, Is A Safe Citizen !!

No Guns, No Rights !!

Molon Labe !!

[blackie]

"Shameless shams!!!"

Right-on !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

The Right Of The People To Keep And Bear Arms Shall Not Be Infringed !!

An Armed Citizen, Is A Safe Citizen !!

No Guns, No Rights !!

Molon Labe !!

[M Kehoe]

A bump from the choir.

5.56mm

[Luis Gonzalez]

"A gun owner has to be much more responsible then a normally unarmed citizen, and is."

I don't question that in your case that is the truth, I seriously doubt that you can convince me that ALL gun owners are "more responsible" than your average citizen, if that where the case, there would be zero instances of little kids accidentally shooting themselves with their parent's guns. Not all accidental shootings are the fault of the gun owner, but then again, all the victims are not to blame either.

There's nothing in my post other than my personal opinion, as your post is your persoal opinion, is there a reason why the mere articulation of my opinion generates a personal attack from you? Why are you afraid of someone else's opinion?

One last question: "A gun owner has to be much more responsible then a normally unarmed citizen", I own a gun, I don't recall the test to determine my level of responsibility during the permitting proccess, is that unique to your State?

Oh, one MORE thing---on another thread, tpaine pointed out that ultimately, the airlines would get to make a choice on whether pasengers would be allowed to board their aircrafts armed or not, after all, they are privately held companies. What do you think the airlines will choose? Armed passengers, or sky marshalls?

[Don Myers]

"How do these people even sleep at night? Have they no consciences?!?"

These people believe very strongly in what they promote. They are wondering the same thing about you.