I read in the Almanac that suicides account fore about 50% more deaths than ‘’murders’’’ do. Murders have a lot of catching up to do.
If, by accident, the NY Times ever published a story that was 100 percent factual, they would publish 100 stories that were 100 percent lies to make up for the error.
It continues to mystify me that anyone gives any credibility to what the NY Times says. The only good use for this paper is fish wrap or lining the bottom of a bird cage BEFORE reading.
Interestingly, suicides are very high in Japan, where they have strict gun control. Wikipedia lists some common suicide methods used in Japan as, jumping in front of trains, leaping off high places, hanging, or overdosing on medication.
When a person, or persons, in Japan want to murder, they usually do it with knives, swords, or, in at least one case... chemical weapons on trains (Sarin gas).
Of course, even with strict gun control, the Yakuza (Japanese mafia) and other criminals are able to get firearms and use them illegally.
As we know, weapons other than guns can be used for murder, even mass murder. One noted mass murder in Japan was called the The Akihabara massacre that took place on Sunday, June 8, 2008, in the Akihabara shopping quarter for electronics, video games and comics in Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. At 12:33 p.m. JST, a man hit a crowd with a truck, eventually killing three people and injuring two; he then stabbed at least 12 people using a dagger (initially reported as a survival knife)[1] killing four people and injuring eight.
Prohibition did not stop people from obtaining and using alcohol here in the states. By the same token, no laws, especially GUN CONTROL laws can prevent evil people from killing others, even in great numbers. A determined or sick individual or pair or group of individuals (like the two at Columbine) can obtain and use bombs, fire, chemicals, firearms, swords, vehicles, etc. to murder at will.
Luckily, these horrific events are very rare, and are the unfortunate, but worthwhile price of living in a truly free society.
The upside, besides maintaining our freedoms, is that WE law-abiding citizens - the GOOD GUYS (300 MILLION PLUS) vastly outnumber the evil and the violently sick. Also, with our 2nd Amendment rights, WE can often protect and defend against such attacks against ourselves, our loved ones, and our fellow citizens.
Hardly reported was that one of the civilian responders in Arizona had a concealed handgun and could have used it if necessary (if the tacklers were unsuccessful in wrestling the shooter to the ground and preventing the reloading of his pistol) to stop further carnage.