Crime and Gun-ownership

After the horrific school-shooting tragedy in Connecticut yesterday the subject of gun control is again in the spotlight. I did a little research myself on the internet to look at the relationship between violent crime and gun-ownership. Very interesting.

It seems that with enough data, either position on gun control (those demanding more and those wanting less) can make a case for their side. I recommend doing the research yourself and drawing your own conclusion.  Because the media has a job to do, and they are paid to do it. You will see only one side or the other, depending on which you care to observe. You have either the sugar-sweet, plastic-wrapped "news" that appeals to all those who are good and kind and trusting. Or, the flame-thrower variety that fires the fervor of those righteous and alert.

Stats for 2010 was common to the websites I used.  That seems to be the year of the latest figures on the subject, so my conclusions below are for that year. These are the websites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2011/sep/27/gun-crime-map-statistics
http://usliberals.about.com/od/Election2012Factors/a/Gun-Owners-As-Percentage-Of-Each-States-Population.htm

In spite of some inconsistent indications, to me anyway, I came up with two true statements -- that is if my math and the data is correct. Take your pick:

1.) Violent crime in the year was 369 per 100,000 population (average) for the top 3 gun-owner states (58.4% of the population own guns) vs 346 for the 3 lowest (10.5%).

• This shows that residents of the lowest rated gun-owner states would be 6.2% safer from all violent crime than those of the lowest rated gun-owner states.

 

   And

2.)  Gun murders are 1.9 per 100,000 (average) for the top 3 gun-owner states vs 2.6 for the 3 lowest.

• This shows that residents of the highest rated gun-owner states would be 36.8% safer from gun murders than those of the lowest rated gun-owner states.

The data I used is compiled/copied below. Check it out or go to the links above. Better yet, do some research yourself. Yourself.

Consider carefully anything that is presented from a single mindset. The masters of media (including radio, TV and the internet -- whether called news or entertainment) directs the minds and lives of those who do not think for themselves with proper discrimination. School systems do the same. You will get what you think. Think for yourself.

   © 2012 Ardi Keim
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States with Extremely High Populations of Gun Owners(more than 50%)

• 1. Wyoming - 59.7%

FIREARMS MURDERS Wyoming (population=.56 million)

5 firearms murders in 2010 [1.12 per 100,000 population]

-38% change since 2009

Handguns murders 0

Firearms, % of all murders 62.5%

Per 100,000 population 0.91

Firearms crimes, rate per 100,000 pop:

Robberies 4.57

Aggravated assaults 14.43

2010 violent crime was 195.9 per 100,000.

• 2. Alaska - 57.8%

FIREARMS MURDERS Alaska (p=.71)

19 firearms murders in 2010 [0.5 per 100,000]

46% change since 2009

Handguns murders 3

Firearms, % of all murders 61.29%

Per 100,000 population 2.68

Firearms crimes, rate per 100,000 pop:

Robberies 21.58

Aggravated assaults 76.6

2010 violent crime was 638.8 per 100,000.

• 3. Montana - 57.7%

FIREARMS MURDERS Montana (p=.99)

12 firearms murders in 2010 [0.8 per 100,000]

-37% change since 2009

Handguns murders 6

Firearms, % of all murders 57.14%

Per 100,000 population 1.22

Firearms crimes, rate per 100,000 pop:

Robberies 2.04

Aggravated assaults 28.3

2010 violent crime was 272.2 per 100,000.

• 4. South Dakota - 56.6%
• 5. West Virginia - 55.4%
• 6. Mississippi - 55.3%
• 6. Idaho - 55.3%
• 6. Arkansas - 55.3%
• 9. Alabama - 51.7%
• 10. North Dakota - 50.7%

 
(For states #11 - 39  see the websites.)

Stateswith Below Median Populations of Gun Owners

• 40. Delaware - 25.5%
• 41. Florida - 24.5%
• 42. California - 21.3%
• 42. Maryland - 21.3%
• 44. Illinois - 20.2%
• 45. New York - 18%
• 46. Connecticut - 16.7%
• 47. Rhode Island - 12.8%
• 48. Massachusetts - 12.6%

FIREARMS MURDERS Massachusetts (p=6.5)

118 firearms murders in 2010 [0.6 per 100,000]

27% change since 2009

Handguns murders 52

Firearms, % of all murders 56.46%

Per 100,000 population 1.78

Firearms crimes, rate per 100,000 pop:

Robberies 24.52

Aggravated assaults 30.81

2010 violent crime was 466.6 per 100,000.

• 49. New Jersey - 12.3%

FIREARMS MURDERS New Jersey (p=8.8)

246 firearms murders in 2010 [0.4 per 100,000]

12% change since 2009

Handguns murders 216

Firearms, % of all murders 67.77%

Per 100,000 population 2.82

Firearms crimes, rate per 100,000 pop:

Robberies 45.16

Aggravated assaults 24.06

2010 violent crime was 307.7 per 100,000.

• 50. Hawaii - 6.7%

FIREARMS MURDERS Hawaii (p=1.4)

7 firearms murders in 2010 [2 per 100,000]

-13% change since 2009

Handguns murders 6

Firearms, % of all murders 29.17%

Per 100,000 population 0.54

Firearms crimes, rate per 100,000 pop:

Robberies 7.46

Aggravated assaults 13.08

2010 violent crime was 262.7 per 100,000.