: Actually, the majority of gun-related injuries and deaths are the result of improper handling by legal owners and their children, and the Brady Bill did reduce gun violence during its years of full effect. See handgun control's website for details.
: There are also numerous methodological problems with Lott and Mustard's study, and the Violence Policy Center suggest that John Lott is not an objective researcher. Don: Go here for a complete look at the debate between Lott and his critics.
: Admitedly, VPC, Amnesty, and handgun Control are also biased, but their data can't be ignored.
Don: In fact, it can be ignored. They have no facts of value.
: It should also be noted that many law enforcement societies support limits on private ownership of weapons,
Don: It should be noted that most law enforcement officers oppose gun control, and few feel it will work.
:and that countries with strong firearms legislations have lower rates of gun-related crime, as the UN Crime and Justice Information Network shows.
Don: Note that England had a much lower homicide rate than the US before either country had gun control. The US also has a much higher non-firearm homicide rate, suggesting gun control isn't the reason for the difference.
Don: Note that Japanese living in the US have a homicide rate lower than those living in Japan.
Don: Note that Mexico and Taiwan have higher homicide rates than the US, despite their strict gun control laws.
Don: Note that almost every adult male in Switzerland has a full auto assault rifle, and that they have a very low homicide rate.
: Whatever your opinion of the gun issue, these figures can't be simply ignored. Lott and Mustard aren'tthe only folks ever to gather statistics about guns. They're just the only ones to have come to their peculiar conclusion.
Don: Lott and Mustard are the only ones to do a nation wide study on the effects of liberalized concealed carry laws. It is by far the best study of its type. Other statistics and studies support the right to bear arms; Justice Department statistics show that those who use guns in self defense are less likely to be injured than those who use any other method. Kleck and others have created a wealth of data. Kellerman is perhaps the most quoted pro-gun control researcher, but his study is seriously flawed. He claimes homes with handguns are 2.7 times as likely to have a homicide, but his study also shows that homes with deadbolts are over 4 times as likely to have a homicide, suggesting reverse causation. This is not the only problem with his study.
