Re: Fear of Guns Vs. Fear of No Guns

Joe E. Dees (joedees@bellsouth.net)
Mon, 7 Jun 1999 13:43:20 -0500

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
>
>
>