News
More state gun laws associated with fewer deaths, study says
States with a higher number of gun laws tend to have fewer firearm-related deaths — overall and for suicides and homicides individually — according to a study just published by the American Medical Association.
Researchers from Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard University examined firearm-related death statistics reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 2007 to 2010. During that time period, there were 121,084 gun-related deaths. The study also looked at 28 types of gun laws a state could have in place, ranging from no guns on college campuses to universal background checks, and assigned each state a "legislative strength score" based on how many of the 28 laws it had in place. For example, Louisiana had the highest number of annual deaths per 100,000 individuals and the second-lowest legislative strength score. The five states with less than five deaths per year per 100,000 people (Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii and Rhode Island) ranked in the top eight in terms of legislative score strength and all had at least 14 laws in place. Some states proved to be exceptions; South Dakota, for instance, ranked low for its number of gun control laws, but still had relatively low rates of firearm fatalities.
To draw its conclusion, the study divided the states into four groups based on legislative score ranking and also on the number of firearm-related deaths. In addition to finding that higher legislative strength scores were associated with lower rates of fatalities overall, the researchers also examined specific legislative categories. They found that only background checks had a significant relationship across all outcomes examined, with stronger background checks associated with lower fatality rates.
The authors stipulate that "the overall association between firearm legislation and firearm mortality is uncertain and remains controversial." They suggest, for instance, that the relationship between the number of laws and fatality rates could be confounded by gun ownership rates or other factors.
In 2010, firearms were the cause of 68 percent of the 16,259 homicides and 51 percent of the 38,364 suicides. For the years 2007 to 2010, suicides accounted for 60.9 percent of firearm-related fatalities and homicides accounted for 39.1 percent.
Bold statements – with weak
Bold statements – with weak statistics at best!
good pointed way to sum it
good pointed way to sum it up!
Apparently the study said
Apparently the study said “the overall association between firearm legislation and firearm mortality is uncertain and remains controversial.” The headline is a bit misleading. There are PLENTY of other studies that show the opposite. For example, Chicago is now apparently the murder capital of the US but has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation. Definitely NOT a model for the rest of the nation as Chairman Obama has claimed.
Why is the headline “More
Why is the headline “More state gun laws associated with fewer deaths, study says” when the study authors conclusion was “the overall association between firearm legislation and firearm mortality is uncertain and remains controversial.”
Yes, you three above me are
Yes, you three above me are correct! This headline is very misleading. The article basically admits that it’s background checks that make a difference, and most (61%) fire arm deaths are suicide. I notice they didn’t mention areas such as New Town and Chicago; which both have very strict gun laws, and we all know what goes on there…
Yes, the headline is grossly
Yes, the headline is grossly misleading relative to the information in the article.
Chicago statistics: Time and again, responses about the murder rate of Chicago fail to mention that many of the murders committed in the city are by handguns bought in nearby states with less restrictive gun laws.
It amazes me how splashy
It amazes me how splashy article titles, bordering on yellow journalism, so often upon analysis boil down to simply a series of unsubstantiated, conflicting statements. Fear is how government controls people – and fear is certainly being used as the tool of choice lately… I’m not a raging 2nd amendment type – but I believe two things – (well, in relation to this topic) – first, you can not protect our children all the time from the crazies of the world, and second – it’s none of the government’s business what I own…
More bs trying to lead to
More bs trying to lead to more gun control.
Where are the studies
Where are the studies mentioned that state that in states where gun ownership is promoted the crime statics show that there are less homicides and less criminal activities? Let the medical associaion stick to what they know and stay out of the gun isssue business. Who funded this study. the CDC( taxpayers)? I thought they were to contcentrate on communicable diseases..
Another left wing writer
Another left wing writer attempting to make anti gun statements without any supporting data.
Where do I start? What about
Where do I start? What about the relationship between crime and strict gun laws?
“In 2010, firearms were the cause of 68 percent of the 16,259 homicides” Someone has to do a little better job writing. A gun is an inanimate object. By that same token matches start forest fires.