i really have no idea. where do the figures come from for crimes prevented by use/presence of a firearm ?. my guess would be a survey of gun owners?
Here's what you need to know: The fact that peacefulness is meant to be the norm, the state of existence through which all else is measured, makes it impossible to create statistics for matters which were stopped
before they could become statistics.
For instance: A person notices a small group of strangers on his/her land, perhaps behaving in a way to indicate they're unconcerned/not respectful to the fact they're trespassing. They've noticed the house and are now approaching it. Upon being met with a gun pointed at them, they put on their best behavior and offer a reason or excuse for their presence, then leave. Perhaps now, even, the homeowner feels a little guilty after acting as s/he did. Maybe it can be believed it was "only a drink of water" they wanted. Or maybe not.
If they're criminals, any one of them, it's not at all unlikely that any future crime-planning they're involved in won't be done with an interest in meeting firepower. Much easier marks are everywhere. Did the homeowner save him/herself from robbery, assault, death? On that day? On a future day?
suicides do not skew the "perception". the studies i posted separated murder/suicide/accidents and gun owners were found to be more likely to die from each of those 3 causes than non gun owners
All based on the worst cases playing out. That's it. That's all it says.
i think it's more a case of given the statistics it would be impossible to produce an anywhere close to honest study that would support the pro gun stance. why else would the NRA have lobbied for the ban on studies?
the suicide figures are readily available. that's not what they want to cover up. it's the fact that guns do not protect. anecdotally they may do. but across the board they have exactly the opposite effect.
Do you think everyone, regardless of any potential agenda, wants to bring light to it?
