From: ABlainey@aol.com
Date: Wed Jan 15 2003 - 20:31:32 MST
In a message dated 16/01/03 01:57:17 GMT Standard Time,
thespike@earthlink.net writes:
> avatar sez:
>
> < Victoria, a state with a population of over four-and-a-half million
> people in 1997, experienced 7 firearm-related homicides in 1996 and 19
> firearm-related homicides in 1997 (an increase of 171%, not 300%). An
> additional twelve homicides amongst a population of 4.5 million is not
> statistically significant [etc] >
>
> When I pointed out this little detail to the g*n enthusiasts a while back, I
> was quickly set straight: Yeah, yeah, but WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE MURDERS DONE
> BY PAPER-CUTS? they wanted to know.
>
> Damien Broderick
>
Nice timing for bringing up the gun debate. In the UK we are currently
undergoing Yet more changes to Firearm law. This time brought about by a gang
related multiple shooting. It would seem that the British government believe
that increasing the age for buying Airguns from 14 to 18 will somehow prevent
armed gangs of lawless thugs from shooting each other with 'already outlawed'
9mm handguns.
Perhaps a study has revealed that 14 to 16 year olds with bb guns are
responsible for the majority of Firearm crimes? An amazing discovery,
especially when taking into account that Firearm crime statistics don't
actually include offences involving airguns.
See http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/statistics26.doc
What really made me laugh/sick was when the shooting incident occurred
(new years eve) the longest armed siege in UK history was going on in London.
An armed man locked himself in a flat for 15 days and reportedly fired at
Police on 5 different occasions. Despite this, police left his utility
supplies ON and supplied him with KFC value meal buckets and other assorted
take away goodies. This continued until the final days of the siege, without
any effort by the police to remove him. It finally ended when the man set
fire to the flat and again engaged the police with gun fire. He was hit once
in the head but the shot failed to kill him. He then finished the job himself
with another shot to the head. An official enquiry into the farce has been
called for.
I did a quick search for suicide rates in the UK and found that you
are nearly 100 times more likely to kill yourself than to be shot and killed
by someone else. So watch that person in the mirror! Not only that, but I
believe the firearm crime figures also include suicides and deaths occurring
where the firearm was used as a blunt instrument.
Stats are great, you gotta love em.
Alex
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