Reply #263: The odds of getting shot are not truly random.

[GreenStormCloud]

Guns are not bullet magnets. They don't radiate a force field that causes bullets to curve in midair and come to the armed person. What the study shows is what everybody already knew, that certain behaviors greatly elevate one's risk of being shot. Being a violent criminal in a street gang is extremely high risk. It is no surprise that people with those behaviors also carry guns. That is part and parcel of being a street drug dealer or gang member. Their guns are carried illegally but the study makes no effort to determine between legal and illegal carry. You have established nothing more than that gang members and those who live close to them, as well as a few legitimate high risk occupations, are at high risk of being shot. And that people who perceive themselves at such high risk frequently choose to have a gun available.

You have not demonstrated that having a gun CAUSES a person to have a higher risk. I suggest that having a higher risk causes a person to get a gun.

You have not established that LTCF people are at an increased risk simply because they have a gun on. The person who behavior places them in a very low risk demographic is not going to suddenly become a bullet magnet because they have a gun handy.

I have asked this question several times with no answer. Why does the CDC ignore self-defense shootings? Notice that one this CDC page there is no category for self-defence. http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/nfirates2001.html Go to the definitions page and there is no mention of self-defense at all. Yet we know that self-defence shooting do occur. Don't you find it odd that the CDC ignores them completely?