Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

flamin lib

(14,559 posts)
Tue Sep 1, 2015, 10:05 AM Sep 2015

Yes, Virginia, we CAN do something about gun violence.

Australia Proved Gun Control Reduces Mass Shootings, Homicides, Suicides

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/08/26/gun-control-mass-shootings_n_8043364.html

Every time this (a mass shooting) happens in America, the two sides of the gun control debate resume arguing. Inevitably, the powerful gun lobby, led by the National Rifle Association (NRA), largely wins with its argument "guns don't kill people, people kill people."

But earlier this week, a study by the American Sociological Association came out debunking the NRA's contention. It reported that the U.S. — which has nearly half the world's civilian-owned guns — is also home to 31 per cent of the world's mass shootings despite making up only five per cent of the world's population.

"That is not a coincidence," wrote study author Adam Lankford. "My study provides empirical evidence, based on my quantitative assessment of 171 countries, that a nation’s civilian firearm ownership rate is the strongest predictor of its number of public mass shooters.
====
In the decade after the (Australian) gun control law was passed, gun homicides fell by 59 per cent and firearm-related suicides fell by 65 per cent. There was no related increase in non-firearm homicides and suicides.


Gunners will say that the suicide rate has gone up using other methods. They're wrong and there's no other way to put it. They are wrong.

Violent crime has not gone up either.

There is no excuse to not emulate Australia. They still have guns, they still protect themselves in the Out Back, they still hunt, they still compete in marksmanship and they still collect antiques.

They just don't die at the rate Americans do.
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Yes, Virginia, we CAN do something about gun violence. (Original Post) flamin lib Sep 2015 OP
K&R.... daleanime Sep 2015 #1
Comparisons DustyJoe Sep 2015 #2
Funny that. flamin lib Sep 2015 #3
Fast and Furious DustyJoe Sep 2015 #4
I'm guessing you live on the US-Mexico border? ellisonz Sep 2015 #5
Got any source to confirm that? F&F was a drop in the bucket and it's a damn big flamin lib Sep 2015 #6
He's blocked. ellisonz Sep 2015 #7

DustyJoe

(849 posts)
2. Comparisons
Tue Sep 1, 2015, 10:15 AM
Sep 2015
There is no excuse to not emulate Australia.


Of course Australia is an island not bordered by a continent run by crooked governments, drug cartels, revolutionaries, criminals from all walks of life armed with military weapons bought or stolen from their federales. I guess if the US had the type of border security protections that Australia and England has with water borders we could emulate their gun control measures. Till then, not going to happen.

flamin lib

(14,559 posts)
3. Funny that.
Tue Sep 1, 2015, 10:19 AM
Sep 2015

According to the BATF&E 70% of the identifiable guns confiscated from Mexican crime scenes come from the US. Not 70% of ALL guns, just the ones that can be traced.

It seems the flow isn't into the US, it's outward.

DustyJoe

(849 posts)
4. Fast and Furious
Tue Sep 1, 2015, 10:26 AM
Sep 2015

F&F gun running did a commendable job.

Latest reports of drug cartels armed with full auto military ak47's controlling the 30 miles of Arizona to the border were hardly bought at a US sporting goods store and shipped to the cartel.

flamin lib

(14,559 posts)
6. Got any source to confirm that? F&F was a drop in the bucket and it's a damn big
Tue Sep 1, 2015, 12:31 PM
Sep 2015

bucket. Other sources for cartel guns include the Mexican government's own arsenals, foreign imports (China notably), and re-imports of US arms sent to "friendly" countries.

Still, 70% of traceable guns is rather a lot, eh?

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Gun Control Reform Activism»Yes, Virginia, we CAN do ...