General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: TAX THE AMMO!!! [View all]slackmaster
(60,567 posts)It's a serious matter, but given the extremely low probability that you or any of your loved ones will ever be the victim of a random shooter run amok, the whole tone of the conversation seems overblown to me.
In spite of the overwhelming amount of attention they get in the media, mass shootings are still extremely rare events. More people become victims of one-off murders every day than in a typical year, many more are killed in motor vehicle accidents and other common injuries. You are about 2.5 times more likely to die in a fall than by gunshot. Falls account for about half of all fatal injuries. More than twice as many kids under 15 drown as die by gunshot - Where is the national dialogue on ensuring that every child learns how to swim?
But the numbers for injuries and adverse effects are dwarfed by the number of people who lose their lives to illnesses that can be avoided through diet and lifestyle choices, i.e. keeping your weight down, exercising, and above all not smoking.
I'm sorry if that seems cold to you, but people really aren't very good at getting their heads around large numbers.
ETA Yes, I understand how these crimes affect the people who are unfortunate to be their victims. I don't mean to minimize their grief or suffering in any way.