Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. - A whole 'nother pragmatic look at gun-related violence

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Perez (Post 1241746)

As compared to many other western nations, the US is a relatively violent country. With an annual murder rate of 4.7 per 100k, a chart of murder rates by country places us in company with nations such as Kenya, Yemen, Albania, Niger and Thailand. Our murder rate is slightly higher than that of Iran, Uzbekistan, Kosovo and Egypt, and nearly 5x the average for most western European nations.

Correlation, of course, is not causation. It is, however, suggestive.

I'm not sure your assessment is sound. We're a Free country, founded upon principles of having more freedoms than the ones you posted above. Our country, founded upon the principles of being able to defend yourself or your country with a gun (given how effective it was to gain our Sovereignty). But in a population of 328M people - you're talking about ~5500 deaths or 0.0017% of the population being killed in violent situations. Not to mention, Chicago, Detroit, St Louis, and Baltimore account for about 30% of that ~5500. I'm sorry, I just don't see this as scary, urgent, or a growing problem.