4 ms·

America now has about a 9 times higher firearm-related death rate than Australia. [1] [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_dea

• w1ntermute 14y ago
  This statistic is deceptive. Read my reply above: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4931177 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4931177
  • rooshdi 14y ago
    I've read it. It doesn't change the data.
    • w1ntermute 14y ago
      It changes the interpretation of the data, without which the data means nothing.
      • rooshdi 14y ago
        What is your interpretation? That some people are irrelevant?
        • w1ntermute 14y ago
          Stop putting words in my mouth, I never suggested that anyone is "irrelevant". My interpretation, which should have been obvious, is that you cannot legislate away cultural problems. Banning guns to stop people from obtaining them is completely moronic when those people are in the very business of smuggling of illegal items into the country in the first place.
          • rooshdi 14y ago
            There is a difference between banning guns and improving the background check process to ensure less mentally instable and people with a history of crime acquire firearms. Also, it is my opinion that a culture of crime is no excuse to give up on improving firearms regulation.
            • w1ntermute 14y ago
              > There is a difference between banning guns and improving the background check process to ensure less mentally instable and people with a history of crime acquire firearms. I'm not suggesting that we not implement an improved background check process. I'm suggesting that we not start banning semi-automatic assault weapons all of a sudden in order to win some political points over the recent spate of shootings.
              • rooshdi 14y ago
                I respect your opinion and am actually opposed to the banning of any firearms to those who are qualified and have passed mental and criminal examinations. Currently, about 40% of firearm purchasers are not examined and I believe this number is too high. I appreciate the dialogue, as I believe we need more discussions on this topic.
            • angersock 14y ago
              The current nastiness is due directly to the theft of the weapons from a qualified gun owner. Should we extend background checks to include members of the family? Crazy friends? Bad neighbors?
              • rooshdi 14y ago
                Immediate family? Yes. That is where I would draw the line. Better to experiment than not try.
        • rmc 14y ago
          That if you fudge the figures on the USA side, then you can make the USA seem safer!
          • w1ntermute 14y ago
            Do you really have nothing better to do than set up strawman arguments?
      • deleted 14y ago
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