Myths vs. Reality
As deaths by firearms mount, there’s a lot of talk about what can be done to reduce gun violence, including misinformation.
Let’s separate: -fact from fiction -reality from myth … and have more productive conversations about saving lives.
REALITY – Why that won’t happen:
- It’s unconstitutional – in 2008 the Supreme Court affirmed in DC v Heller the 2nd Amendment applies to individuals.
- There are 300 million guns in 80 million U.S. civilian hands.
- Confiscating them is impossible!
REALITY – Dangerous people with guns kill people.
- Convicted felons
- Domestic abusers
- Terrorists
- Untrained individuals
- Toddlers who find and play with unlocked guns
REALITY – 40% of gun purchases today occur without a background check due to:
- Loopholes
- Exceptions
- Straw purchases
- Internet sales
REALITY – The gun seller is accountable to get the background check, not the gun-buyer. Responsible gun sellers do obey laws.
REALITY – 4% of gun deaths are linked to mental health (other than suicide).
REALITY –
- Keeping guns out of bad guys’ hands works even better.
- A good guy with a gun, but no training, is a risk to everyone.
- 2.4 million sales blocked since 1990s = fewer guns in bad guys’ hands.
REALITY
- A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to kill/injure, i.e. homicide, suicide, or accidentally.
- Most youth suicides and accidental/school shootings use a family member’s gun.
- A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to kill/injure by homicide, suicide, or accident.