dc0de wrote:

The problem with using shooting DEATHS as a statistic, is that it ONLY takes into account the people that actually died. Death is certainly a final event, however, it would be more accurate to include events where handguns actually saved lives too, for the sake of reality. Unfortunately, most of the episodes where a firearm is presented as a defensive measure and NOT discharged are simply not reported to the police.

I agree with that. It's very difficult to find real credible statistics and in many cases, things go unreported or underreported. Obviously you need real data in order to analyze the issue and make appropriate policy, but I get the sense that armed citizens serve as a deterrent. It's just unnerving that many deaths are reported in the household by the homeowners own weapons as well. Something's not right there.

RE: Guns for Safety? Dream On, Scalia. - washingtonpost.com