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> my dad kept a loaded handgun in his nightstand as of a few years ago due to very overblown fears of a home invasion. As you might guess, the statistics do no

> my dad kept a loaded handgun in his nightstand as of a few years ago due to very overblown fears of a home invasion. As you might guess, the statistics do not support his decision: "Guns kept in homes are more likely to be involved in a fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting, criminal assault, or suicide attempt than to be used to injure or kill in self-defense." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9715182/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9715182/

dokem 4y ago
> fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting, criminal assault, or suicide attempt Well good thing I'm an individual adult and, after assessing my lifestyle and level of fire-arm responsibility, feel confident that I have control over these scenarios (not) playing out. I don't have any control over someone breaking into my house at night.
- dane-pgp 4y ago
  I see what you're saying (and the statistic has other problems, for example not measuring break-ins that were unsuccessful or not attempted because of the gun) but not everyone may be as responsible as you. So, it can still be a net benefit to society to pass a law which reduces fatal accidents but increases break-ins. Also, I hope that you would sell your gun if you found yourself suffering from some symptoms of mental illness, or if you had children in the house. No one ever thinks that they will be the careless gun owner whose kid finds their gun, or the drunk gun owner who threatens their spouse.
- MandieD 4y ago
  The Winnenden massacre was committed by a teenage boy whose father had a large collection of firearms that were carefully locked up... except for his automatic Beretta pistol.
MandieD 4y ago
This is one of those points on which I have realized that in many respects, my dad and I do not share a worldview, and live in such different worlds. Yes, I knew this. I have not bothered bringing it up with my dad, but may end up doing so in the course of making it clear that he can either have unsecured firearms or his grandson in his house and truck, but not both.

dokem 4y ago

> fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting, criminal assault, or suicide attempt Well good thing I'm an individual adult and, after assessing my lifestyle and level of fire-arm responsibility, feel confident that I have control over these scenarios (not) playing out. I don't have any control over someone breaking into my house at night.

dane-pgp 4y ago
I see what you're saying (and the statistic has other problems, for example not measuring break-ins that were unsuccessful or not attempted because of the gun) but not everyone may be as responsible as you. So, it can still be a net benefit to society to pass a law which reduces fatal accidents but increases break-ins. Also, I hope that you would sell your gun if you found yourself suffering from some symptoms of mental illness, or if you had children in the house. No one ever thinks that they will be the careless gun owner whose kid finds their gun, or the drunk gun owner who threatens their spouse.
MandieD 4y ago
The Winnenden massacre was committed by a teenage boy whose father had a large collection of firearms that were carefully locked up... except for his automatic Beretta pistol.

MandieD 4y ago

This is one of those points on which I have realized that in many respects, my dad and I do not share a worldview, and live in such different worlds. Yes, I knew this. I have not bothered bringing it up with my dad, but may end up doing so in the course of making it clear that he can either have unsecured firearms or his grandson in his house and truck, but not both.