Reply #137: Can you help me find some handgun stats? (and I added a rant)

[chknltl]

I wish to learn more about the statistics of handguns. The first stat I would like to learn about is how many home invasions are actually prevented yearly by civilian handgun owners using their handguns. The next stat I would be interested in is how many accidental injuries and deaths are attributed to handguns yearly. (If you could refer me to a link that would suffice). I am of the opinion that if one were to compare these two stats one would find that there are an appalling number of accidents compared to preventions of home invasions. I would love some stats to bolster my belief. For instance if for every home invasion prevented there are 100 accidents then this is absolutely unacceptable. On the other hand if the stats show that for every accident 100 home invasions were prevented then that.... well I just don't see how anyone outside of rush limbaugh or bill o'rielly could come up with a stat like that.

A fellow DUer posted earlier in this thread that our guns would not stop a tank. (Regarding our "right to bear arms" as a check against an out of control military). I make that same point from a different perspective: An RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) might stop SOME tanks. It has been put to good use by the "insurgents" over in Iraq against our troops and their tanks. So exactly how many accidental deaths here in America can we attribute to RPGs. How about home invasions or preventions? I believe that the answer is ZERO. Why? Because they are illegal! So should we pass legislation relaxing that problem so that we might better defend ourselves from our own military should the need arise? If we did then what do you suppose the number of accidents will go up to?

I take no issue here with hunting rifles or shotguns. I take no issue with the police or the military using handguns for my protection. I do take issue with the accidental injuries and deaths which happen due to handguns. I have heard that "education" is the key to safe ownership. I have also heard that abstinence education will prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. I believe that there is a difference between what works and what one wants to work because of ones self interest.

I am not a betting man. If the odds are that a handgun in my home has a fifty-fifty chance of either preventing a home invasion or causing an accidental injury then that is unacceptable to me. I understand that odds are that this gun will not ever be used outside of familiarization. Just the knowing that IF it gets used those are my odds is enough for me to NOT want this in my home. I suspect that the odds are much worse than fifty-fifty.
:patriot: