[Dan from Michigan]

Unintended Consequences - I prefer the version from John Ross.

As for Ayoob's comments, his solution isn't banning guns. Knowing what I know about him, his solution is TRAINING.

As for self-defense, that's BS. Most of the time, the gun ain't fired. This is BS, which I expect from VPC.

[wjcsux]

Ayoob has written many good books on effective use of firearms in self-defense. AS for these VPC idiots, it is just more of their same B.S. Ayoob has always stated that if a person makes the choice to defend himself with a firearm, he needs to be proficient with it. I doubt the VPC sent this article to him for his review.

[Holden Magroin]

Handguns are ineffective self-defense tools? Look, if you get plugged with a .45, I don't care if you're Superman or the Bionic Woman!

[sakic]

Ayoob is one of the most sensible people I've ever read anything about. His belief in responsible gun use and ownership is like a bright light cutting through morons on both sides of the guns issue in this country.

[scooter2]

Pro-Gun Experts Prove Handguns Are Ineffective Self-Defense Tools Tell that to the slime-ball who tries to break in to my house and gets to add a little more chlorine to the gene pool.

[RogueIsland]

This study is comprised substantially of writings from pro-gun experts who readily admit handguns are basically impossible to use effectively in self-defense."

The study is correct. The following is therefore recommended for effective self-defense:

[Campion]

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.

What VPC wants you to believe: "If I'm female and carry a gun, I'm 120 times more likely to be killed by an attacker than I am to kill an attacker."

But, notice, that is not what they actually said. It's what they want you to think they said.

What their statistic actually proves is this: Lots of unarmed women are killed by armed attackers. Many more unarmed, defenseless women are killed by armed attackers than armed attackers are killed by armed women, both because there are so few armed women, and because attackers run away when they discover their victims are armed, long before their victims have a chance to kill them. The solution to this problem is for more women to carry guns, and be properly trained in their use.

If gun control is such a great idea, why does VPC have to use statistics deceptively to convince people that it is?

[absalom01]

Intersting to see that the VPC is continuing with the "big lie" strategy. It's remarkable that they have any credibility left with the liberal press, but indeed they seem to. I'm waiting to see this written up in the LA slimes with some sort of anti-self defense spin - and I'll send my usual letter that won't get published. Kinda frustrating.

[DonPaulJones]

"As for Ayoob's comments, his solution isn't banning guns. Knowing what I know about him, his solution is TRAINING."

In my 25 years of going to gun shows, sporting goods stores, ranges, and gun clubs, the ONLY time that I have ever heard of Mr. Ayoob was in relation to was exciting and successful weapons training programs.

VPC is trying to slander Mr. Ayoob within the pro-rights, 2nd Amendment types (you know, REAL Americans). Too bad for them we're too smart for that. (At least I HOPE that we're too smart for that)

[hoot2]

"As for Ayoob's comments, his solution isn't banning guns. Knowing what I know about him, his solution is TRAINING"

thanks dan, but they're sorta right about "pistols"

Audio

[butter pecan fan]

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.

Damn, Dan, this is such statistical horse$hit that they've just about convinced me to jump off the fence and buy a handgun.

I mean, even ignoring the devious "flaw" that the kill rate has nothing to do with incidents of effective deterrent use, their "supporting point" has absolutely no relationship to what they're trying to prove. It's about as meaningful as saying,

In fact, in 1998, for every time that a civilian used a handgun to kill in self-defense, 51 people personally witnessed policemen purchasing donuts at the local 7-11. Therefore, handguns are ineffective and dangerous.

If this is the best they can do, it would seem there's no longer any reason for me to hesitate about getting a handgun.

[elbucko]

"This study is comprised of......

Depends on what the meaning of "is", is.

[xm177e2]

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).

It should be noted that the experts are trying to convince people to come to their expensive self-defense classes.

[norton]

They said it,
it will be repeated,
and repeated,
It will become 'truth' because it' s been heard so often.

They're really good at that.
They have the entire DNC backing them up,
unless you want to take the guns away from their bodygurads as well.

PS, does anyone know if Dianne Feinstein still carries?

[SSN558]

Pure poppy cock. A handgun in the right hands is the most effective deterrent and defense tool made. Yeah sure there will always be idiots that have accidents or make a bad situtation worse with a handgun. This is no reason to deny the RIGHT of life, life and liberty to the millions that keep and bear arms competently.

I would not be alive to whine about this if it wern't for a handgun.

[PoorMuttly]

Mine seem to work just fine.

[wcbtinman]

I've been in the unfortunate situation of having to defend myself twice with a handgun. Neither time was the gun fired, but I assure you there was imminent threat.

The VPC or anyone else can spout all of the out-of-context, made up statistics they want, but I will never give up any of my firearms, and I will carry when and where I deem appropriate.

These people are pushing an agenda that will have but one tragic consequence.

[El Gato]

an armed life-or-death confrontation (the only situation in which lethal force is justified in self-defense).

A little opinion or perhaps wishfull thinking creeping in here? Depending on what jurisdiction one lives in, there may be other legal justifications. Like if someone is stealing your horse, or your fancy wheels (yes wheels not necessarily the whole car). A few years ago a guy shot some kids who were stealing the wheels from his car in Dallas, during the night. He fired at them with an SKS, killing at least one, IIRC. In any event the grand jury no-billed him, quite properly under Texas law.

Ayoob himself tends to argue this way, from a moral rather than legal perspective, one suspects in part due to living in the northeast, where it's pretty much the law too.

[tarpon_bill]

You know I read the same report. Bumble bees couldn't generate enough lift to get off the ground. Something about wings too small and not aerodynamic enough.

BTW, is salt good for this week or is it the week where it is deemed bad.

Whatever happened to ALAR?

tarpon

[cidrasm]

Since VPC won't publish the source of their scary statistics leads me to believe that they cherry picking their data and refuse to put it in proper context. IOW, they are full of excrement. For instance, they caveat their stat that for every handgun defense that causes a death (yes, causes a death), 51 assaults with a handgun occured. They ignored every single defense that only involved brandishing or only injury.

VPC is a full of crap organization full of scared people who think the authorities are responsible for their well-being. What idiots.

[boris]

"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."

Interesting constuction.

See, pulling the trigger in self-defense causes 51 people to lose their lives.

A powerful round indeed.

--Boris