I, for one, learned much from his books, and bought them for the precise reason that I wanted to know what the straight scoop was.
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.
Notice the lack of quotes around this. I see the books have been cooked some more, it used to be only 43 to 1 now it's 51 to 1. Both ratios equally meaningless, since it's good guys (and gals) saved per unjustifiable homicide, rape, robbery etc., that tells the true tale. whether the perp was armed with a gun, knife, electric cord, or just bare hands.
That said, of course you should never use a handgun if a long arm of comparable or greater power is available. Ayoob would same much the same I'm sure.
Dr. Mr. Ayoob,
I recently saw a posting on FreeRepublic.com with a quote attributed to you in a report from the "Violence Policy Center." Here's the link http://www.vpc.org/press/0111unin.htm . The third paragraph quotes you directly, although the source isn't cited. While this quote sounds genuine, the report is titled, "Pro-Gun Experts Prove Handguns Are Ineffective Self-Defense Tools, New VPC Study Reveals." It's nothing new that you've championed training for anyone who wants to have a firearm for self defense, but I believe that this press release really twisted your words.
I thought that you might be interested that you, as a "Pro-Gun Expert" believe that "handguns are ineffective self defense tools."
Sincerely,
Mark Levy
Lee's Summit, MO