Bigdaddyjug wrote:
Switzerland would like to have a word with you.
Edit: Wait a minute. How did I end up pulling that card in this thread instead of the thread about gun crimes?
Edit 2: Yes, I know the link is wikipedia, but it was the first link to pop up on a google search and I'm at work so I don't have a ton of time to dedicate to looking into it. I'll find more reliable info when I get home and post it.
These
two links also paint a similar picture.
Edited, Jul 26th 2012 12:04pm by Bigdaddyjug Cursory googling shows some problems with your point.
First, it's worth noting that your wikipedia links are problematic. The list of firearm related death rates (and note, that's only covering death, not gun violence) has some very outdated stats. For example, #1 on that list, South Africa, reflects data that's 12 years old.
Since then, their numbers have changed,
reportedly due to more stringent gun laws.
Regarding Switzerland, you'll note that the US has nearly double the amount of legally owned weapons, and seems to be widely cited as first among 1st world countries in regards to rates of gun violence. It's apples to oranges, however. Switzerland has much more stringent gun control laws, and ownership seems to be related to a very ingrained notion of civic duty that doesn't exist here (not to mention, a long history of pacifism). While it may work for them, the idea that this system could be implemented in the United States strikes me as far fetched, at best.
At any rate, many seem to be looking to curb their own ownership. I believe they just struck down an initiative, but the movement to further restrict gun access seems to be gaining steam. Switzerland reportedly has the highest gun violence rates in Western Europe, vying with Finland (another country with more lax ownership laws) annually.
But ultimately, I really just don't think that using a single country as an example is statistically significant enough to make your initial claim.
Edited, Jul 26th 2012 1:31pm by Eske Edited, Jul 26th 2012 1:34pm by Eske