4 ms·

I did mention that. " (many of these people probably go to multiple gun shows every year so this does not imply 12.5 M people went but some smaller number went

I did mention that. " (many of these people probably go to multiple gun shows every year so this does not imply 12.5 M people went but some smaller number went to multiple shows)." #1) We're talking about on a given year here. and all my stats revolve around the risk of an event happening for a person over the course of a year. #2) Multiple visits increase the odds of being in an accident. because it's impossible to know how many people attended multiple shows. I am looking at attendees as an individual visit to a gun show. The risk factor showing the odds of being in an accident at a single visit to a single show are more meaningful anyhow. If you go to one gun show in a given year your odds are around 1 in a million for being involved in an accident. If you go to two your odds jump to 2 in a million. Get it?

jacquesm 10y ago
I missed your () entry, apologies. And yes, I 'got it', there is no need to be condescending. Regardless of the stats, I'm still uncomfortable around amateurs with guns. Comfort and rationality are not always aligned.
- gnarbarian 10y ago
  I did not mean to be condescending. I was legitimately asking if you understood after rewording and explaining my conclusion. I didn't really expect to change your view. Education, familiarity, and practice often dispel the sense of anxiety someone feels around something they are not comfortable with. Learning to drive a car is one example of this. It's my hope that through reaching out to people who don't feel comfortable around guns and dispelling misconceptions in an even keeled way helps show that we aren't a bunch of reckless crazy rednecks engaging in sophistry to prove a point. I think it's important for everyone to reevaluate their assumptions regularly. Guns are dangerous, But if you are following the rules[1], it's nearly impossible to have an accident. The vast majority of legal gun owners follow these rules. [1] http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757990_-1_757978_757978_image http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Catego...
  - jacquesm 10y ago
    You should try having that conversation face to face some time with someone who lost someone dear because of a stupid gun accident.
    - gnarbarian 10y ago
      I've never met one. But if they were campaigning to infringe upon my gun rights I certainly would.
    - mzw_mzw 10y ago
      That's not an argument. Imagine having that conversation with someone who lost someone dear due to getting struck by lightning, and who is now demanding that we install lightning rods every twenty feet and legally mandate nonconductive clothing. Obviously you'd sympathize with them, but you can't base national policy on emotion. You have to look at the facts.
      - jacquesm 10y ago
        > but you can't base national policy on emotion. As if the majority of the pro-gun ownership arguments aren't based on emotion.
        mzw_mzw 10y ago
        Then you shouldn't have any trouble using reason to defeat them. Go on, then.
        jacquesm 10y ago
        No, on the contrary.
        Nadya 10y ago
        They're based more-so on reality. You can argue there are appeals to emotion ("protect your family!") but they aren't completely devoid of fact and ignoring statistics. People hunt (some for game, some for sport) and need guns. People get robbed and would like a gun to keep in the home for self-defense. Some people live in criminal ridden areas where being mugged is a relatively common occurrence, having a gun helps there too.

jacquesm 10y ago

I missed your () entry, apologies. And yes, I 'got it', there is no need to be condescending. Regardless of the stats, I'm still uncomfortable around amateurs with guns. Comfort and rationality are not always aligned.

gnarbarian 10y ago
I did not mean to be condescending. I was legitimately asking if you understood after rewording and explaining my conclusion. I didn't really expect to change your view. Education, familiarity, and practice often dispel the sense of anxiety someone feels around something they are not comfortable with. Learning to drive a car is one example of this. It's my hope that through reaching out to people who don't feel comfortable around guns and dispelling misconceptions in an even keeled way helps show that we aren't a bunch of reckless crazy rednecks engaging in sophistry to prove a point. I think it's important for everyone to reevaluate their assumptions regularly. Guns are dangerous, But if you are following the rules[1], it's nearly impossible to have an accident. The vast majority of legal gun owners follow these rules. [1] http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757990_-1_757978_757978_image http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Catego...
- jacquesm 10y ago
  You should try having that conversation face to face some time with someone who lost someone dear because of a stupid gun accident.
  - gnarbarian 10y ago
    I've never met one. But if they were campaigning to infringe upon my gun rights I certainly would.
  - mzw_mzw 10y ago
    That's not an argument. Imagine having that conversation with someone who lost someone dear due to getting struck by lightning, and who is now demanding that we install lightning rods every twenty feet and legally mandate nonconductive clothing. Obviously you'd sympathize with them, but you can't base national policy on emotion. You have to look at the facts.
    - jacquesm 10y ago
      > but you can't base national policy on emotion. As if the majority of the pro-gun ownership arguments aren't based on emotion.
      - mzw_mzw 10y ago
        Then you shouldn't have any trouble using reason to defeat them. Go on, then.
        jacquesm 10y ago
        No, on the contrary.
      - Nadya 10y ago
        They're based more-so on reality. You can argue there are appeals to emotion ("protect your family!") but they aren't completely devoid of fact and ignoring statistics. People hunt (some for game, some for sport) and need guns. People get robbed and would like a gun to keep in the home for self-defense. Some people live in criminal ridden areas where being mugged is a relatively common occurrence, having a gun helps there too.