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> Humans are not good at measuring risk. True in general, but in the specific case of gun homicides, the data do seem to support their concern. As per [1] and

> Humans are not good at measuring risk. True in general, but in the specific case of gun homicides, the data do seem to support their concern. As per [1] and [2] the US gun homicide rate is more than 4 per 100k whereas countries like Switzerland, Sweden, France, Japan, UK, Denmark, and many others seem to have between one and two orders of magnitude fewer gun deaths. If someone from one of those countries above expressed concern about gun homicides when visiting the United States it would seem no more irrational than a fellow American expressing concern about visiting Jamaica or Honduras because they have an order-of-magnitude higher gun homicide rate compared to the United States. (I doubt the overall gun homicide numbers tell the whole story with regard to tourist safety, just that there exists a rational basis for this concern.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_homicide_rates https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-r... [2] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/gun-deaths-by-country https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/gun-death...

duxup 2y ago
The fact that violence is higher in A vs B isn't necessarily going to mean OP individually is at a realistic risk of gun violence. This still seems like a recipe for endless worry with little or no realistic reduction in risk. In the end if OP is overwhelmed by this that's their call. I'm not going to tell them what they should do, but will offer different ways to think about it.
- asoneth 2y ago
  Agreed. As I said, the overall gun homicide numbers do not tell the whole story with regard to tourist safety -- assuming OP is visiting tourist-y places then the risk of death will be significantly lower than the overall numbers indicate, though possibly still higher than their home country. But people worry about all sorts of irrational things with zero basis in fact. I'm merely pointing out that there is, in fact, a factual basis for this concern. Personally I consider the benefits of traveling even to other countries (even those with higher homicide rates than the US) to vastly outweigh the risks. But if someone feels otherwise and avoids traveling to places with higher levels of risk then I think this would technically provide a "realistic reduction in risk".
ch4s3 2y ago
Gun violence in the US is highly concentrated in places you'll never go as a tourist.
- asoneth 2y ago
  Agreed, that's why I said that while there is a basis for this concern, the overall gun homicide numbers don't tell the whole story with respect to tourist safety. I couldn't find any specific numbers with regard to US tourist safety, though Australia's travel advisory does mention the high rates of gun crimes and about a month ago a couple Israeli tourists were shot in Miami Beach. Again, gun violence would not be my primary concern if I were visiting the US as a tourist, I'm just pointing out that there exists a basis for this concern.
  - ch4s3 2y ago
    It's vanishingly rare for tourists to be murdered in the US. Per FBI data 90+% of US murders are committed by an acquaintance of the victim. A large percentage of the remaining 10% is from altercations that escalate to shootings. The European preoccupation with American gun violence as it relates to tourism is misplaced in my opinion as tourists are almost never involved. Compare that to the frequent truck/car ramming attacks in Germany which seemingly always kill tourists. Should I avoid visiting German Christmas markets?
    - LargoLasskhyfv 2y ago
      > Should I avoid visiting German Christmas markets? Yes. Glühwein can be enjoyed in more comfortable setups anyway. If that's your thing. Is there anything else to marketing X-mas?
      - ch4s3 2y ago
        This really misses the point.
        2y ago

duxup 2y ago

The fact that violence is higher in A vs B isn't necessarily going to mean OP individually is at a realistic risk of gun violence. This still seems like a recipe for endless worry with little or no realistic reduction in risk. In the end if OP is overwhelmed by this that's their call. I'm not going to tell them what they should do, but will offer different ways to think about it.

asoneth 2y ago
Agreed. As I said, the overall gun homicide numbers do not tell the whole story with regard to tourist safety -- assuming OP is visiting tourist-y places then the risk of death will be significantly lower than the overall numbers indicate, though possibly still higher than their home country. But people worry about all sorts of irrational things with zero basis in fact. I'm merely pointing out that there is, in fact, a factual basis for this concern. Personally I consider the benefits of traveling even to other countries (even those with higher homicide rates than the US) to vastly outweigh the risks. But if someone feels otherwise and avoids traveling to places with higher levels of risk then I think this would technically provide a "realistic reduction in risk".

ch4s3 2y ago

Gun violence in the US is highly concentrated in places you'll never go as a tourist.

asoneth 2y ago
Agreed, that's why I said that while there is a basis for this concern, the overall gun homicide numbers don't tell the whole story with respect to tourist safety. I couldn't find any specific numbers with regard to US tourist safety, though Australia's travel advisory does mention the high rates of gun crimes and about a month ago a couple Israeli tourists were shot in Miami Beach. Again, gun violence would not be my primary concern if I were visiting the US as a tourist, I'm just pointing out that there exists a basis for this concern.
- ch4s3 2y ago
  It's vanishingly rare for tourists to be murdered in the US. Per FBI data 90+% of US murders are committed by an acquaintance of the victim. A large percentage of the remaining 10% is from altercations that escalate to shootings. The European preoccupation with American gun violence as it relates to tourism is misplaced in my opinion as tourists are almost never involved. Compare that to the frequent truck/car ramming attacks in Germany which seemingly always kill tourists. Should I avoid visiting German Christmas markets?
  - LargoLasskhyfv 2y ago
    > Should I avoid visiting German Christmas markets? Yes. Glühwein can be enjoyed in more comfortable setups anyway. If that's your thing. Is there anything else to marketing X-mas?
    - ch4s3 2y ago
      This really misses the point.
      - 2y ago