General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: New Concealed Carry poll [View all]BainsBane
(53,016 posts)Friendly iconoclast. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3050787
Here's the situation. In this thread on fantasies of being the good guy with the gun, a couple of posters gave their scenarios for being the tough guy. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3031723
One poster described a situation in which he was being stalked by someone. I pointed out that is not what happens, that most shootings are not directed at you in particular unless you happen to be involved in something nefarious. More likely, they are shooting at someone else and you might get caught in the cross fire. He went on to tell me that if someone is targeting you for assassination, you're probably done for, that he was talking about a mugging. In my view, if someone wants the few bucks in my wallet that badly, I'd prefer to give it to him than kill him. YMMV.
Mother Jones has published information suggesting that those carrying guns are more likely to kill or hurt someone or themselves than the population at large. http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/01/pro-gun-myths-fact-check They have also shown a correlation between density of guns and homicide rates. Now, correlation is not proof, I understand. The problem is prohibitions on federally funded research and other restrictions forcing destruction of any documentation about guns badly impairs the ability to find clear answers to these questions, which is why the plea made in this editorial is so important. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023045482
My question is that if the gun lobby is so certain evidence shows that more guns equal fewer deaths and CC equals fewer deaths, or doesn't increase them, why do they work so assiduously to prohibit research?