Keep it simple stupid: Here are six things you need to know about guns in the USA, with sources:
- There are 310 million guns in private hands in the US, almost one for every American. (Congressional Research Service)
- NRA gave $11.7 million to candidates in the 2012 election. (Sunlight)
- U.S. companies manufactured 5.5 million guns in 2010, a 86 percent increase in one decade (ATF)
- 30,000 firearm fatalities occur in the U.S. each year, or about 82 deaths per day. (FBI)
- 8,775 murders, 128,793 robberies and 138, 403 assaults with firearms occurred in 2010. (FBI)
- Just 0.01 percent of background checks for firearms, or about 1 out of every 8,000, found mental health records and denied gun purchases in 2011. (GAO)
The Facts on guns at Face The Facts USA.
Sandy Johnson is a journalist and a gardener, equally passionate about both. She lives in Alexandria, VA. Visit her on her blog, Grassroots & Gardening.
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One factoid missing — how many US “gun” crimes committed by individuals properly licensed and trained to own a registered firearm?
Dieter,
All the things on my list come from government sources. I am unaware of any government agency that tracks the data you suggest. Regards, Sandy
Thanks, Sandy. I understand the references you used. My concern is that extremists at both ends of the spectrum are “hyper loading.” Which, in my view, obfuscates facts and true solutions. It appears the police in CT are taking their time to determine the facts. Hopefully, we can begin a much needed national discussion based on facts, not emotions.