Date sent: Mon, 07 Jun 1999 13:38:40 -0400 From: "Michael S. Lorrey" <mike@lorrey.com> Organization: http://lorrey.com http://artlocate.com To: extropians@extropy.com Subject: Re: Fear of Guns Vs. Fear of No Guns Send reply to: extropians@extropy.com
> "Joe E. Dees" wrote:
>
> > A study by National Economic Research Associates found that
> > one out of every five handguns purchased in this country is used in
> > the commission of a crime within four years of purchase.
>
> This is so patently false as to laughable. Is it never used in a crime thereafter?
>
If it is confiscated by the police and finds its way back on the
street, yes. Your query makes the point that, since handguns
generally last for many years, the percentage of handguns used in
the commission of a crime during their useful lives must be a good
deal higher than 20 %; not the point you intended, but one you
clearly, although inadvertantly, made. The NERA statistic is
quoted by both Ted C. Fishman, the gun opponent, and James R.
Peterson, the gun advocate, in the bookend pro-con brace of
articles. It was one of the few things that they could agree upon.
>
> Mike Lorrey
>
>
>