Gun Related Deaths | The Facts!
*There are 30,000 gun related deaths per year by firearms. A hard figure that is not under dispute! As of June 22, 2016, the U.S. population stood at an estimated 324,059,091. With 30,000 gun related deaths occurring annually in the United States, if we take a hard look at the 2016 numbers, the most recent tracking, here’s what we find:
- 0.00925% of the population dies from gun related actions each year.
Statistically speaking, this is insignificant! What is never told, however, is a breakdown of those 30,000 gun related deaths. If we put them in perspective as compared to other causes of death, we find:
- 65% of those deaths are by suicide.
- 15% are by law enforcement in the line of duty
- 17% of gun related deaths are a result of criminal activity, or “gun violence” such as gang and drug related criminal behavior, or mentally ill persons.
- 3% are accidental discharge deaths
Since suicides would never be prevented by gun laws, this high rate of death by gunshot is likely to continue to occupy the bulk of annual gun deaths. Suicide is presently illegal in the United States. But that law doesn’t seem to deter those who wish to use a gun to end their own life.
Gun Related Deaths by Law Enforcement
Law enforcement is responsible for 15% of gun related deaths in America. Laws on the books that prohibit criminals from using a gun while committing a crime don’t seem to deter those with criminal intent from using a gun. Thus, Law Enforcement Officers who happen to be in the line of fire of a criminal using a gun are given little choice in the matter. Given the crime rate, the result of justified shootings in the line of duty are likely to stay a major reason in gun deaths in America. <Continue Reading>
