Some statistics. Some facts.
America has six times as many firearm homicides as Canada, and 15 times as many as Germany.
America has 4.4 percent of the world's population, but almost half of the civilian-owned guns around the world.
This makes no sense whatever, none of it.
There is a mass shooting in America nearly every day.
States with more guns have more gun deaths.
Consistent with this, above, developed nations with more guns also have more gun homicides.
America's biggest gun problem is suicide.
And again, consistently, the states with the most guns report the most suicides.
More guns equals suicides. Reported suicides between 2001 and 2005:
"Guns and Suicide in the United States"
Guns allow people to kill themselves much more easily.
In states with more guns, more police officers are also killed on duty.
"Firearm Prevalence and Homicides of Law Enforcement Officers in the United States"
Then there are these facts (with links).
1. There's roughly one gun for every person in America
2. Gun crime is more prevalent in the US than in other rich countries
3. Gun homicides (like all homicides) are declining
4. Places with more guns have more homicides
5. There are more gun suicides than gun homicides in America
6. Suicide is more common in places with more guns
7. Living in a house with a gun increases your odds of death
8. Guns contribute to domestic violence
9. Mass shootings aren't getting more common — and are a tiny share of all shootings
10. A tiny fraction of gun violence is committed by the mentally ill
11. Gun control is popular but getting less so
And finally, to give us some hope, there is a great deal of support in America for gun policy proposals.
From the full article over at Vox:
Gun violence in America, in 17 maps and charts
More links: 11 essential facts about guns and mass shootings in America
