Monday, September 28, 2015

Statistics And Charts: Shootings By Type

A Washington Post article recently summarized, in one graphic, the type of shootings relative to each other in number.

As you'll see, defensive (or "justified") shootings outside of law enforcement are only a tiny fraction.  It is this tiny fraction of shootings, only 1 out of every 115, that the NRA uses to try to justify their "guns everywhere" arguments.

For every fatal justified, defensive shooting, there are 34 homicide deaths using guns, 78 suicides with a gun, and 2 accidental deaths.

But the NRA and other pro-gun supporters don't care about all those other deaths.

From the article:


Also from the article:


There are, of course, plenty of solid arguments for robust 2nd Amendment protections. Millions of people use guns for sport and recreation every day. The vast majority of gun owners are responsible citizens, not criminals. 
But, though some people certainly use guns for self-defense, the data suggest that overall, guns are used far more often for killing then self-defense. As a result, it's may be thinking twice about arguments for more guns in schools, churches and other public places.
HERE is a related post, with a different chart showing similar information.