It's called, reality

[tikistitch]

Guns in the Home and Risk of a Violent Death in the Home: Findings from a National Study

Linda L. Dahlberg, Robin M. Ikeda and Marcie-jo Kresnow

Data from a US mortality follow-back survey were analyzed to determine whether having a firearm in the home increases the risk of a violent death in the home and whether risk varies by storage practice, type of gun, or number of guns in the home. Those persons with guns in the home were at greater risk than those without guns in the home of dying from a homicide in the home (adjusted odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 3.4). They were also at greater risk of dying from a firearm homicide, but risk varied by age and whether the person was living with others at the time of death. The risk of dying from a suicide in the home was greater for males in homes with guns than for males without guns in the home (adjusted odds ratio = 10.4, 95% confidence interval: 5.8, 18.9). Persons with guns in the home were also more likely to have died from suicide committed with a firearm than from one committed by using a different method (adjusted odds ratio = 31.1, 95% confidence interval: 19.5, 49.6). Results show that regardless of storage practice, type of gun, or number of firearms in the home, having a gun in the home was associated with an increased risk of firearm homicide and firearm suicide in the home.

American Journal of Epidemiology 2004 160(10):929-936

Before any idjit even dares bring it up, both of my late grandfathers were hunters; my paternal grandfather actually passed away during a hunting trip; one of my aunts often works cooking for hunters at a hunting cabin; several family friends work as hunting outfitters; and one of my uncles used to have a stuffed grizzly bear, which he shot on a hunting trip, in his den.

Comments

[sarahpolk.livejournal.com]

I don't think anyone would argue that the presence of guns in a home doesn't increase the risks of them being misused. But like the report you cited says, there are a number of variables that also affects this (environmental factors, for example), and there are also factors that were not part of the scope of their study (such as whether the firearms were acquired legally and whether the owners learned and abided by gun safety rules--although for suicides I think the latter is a little moot).

And while the bottom line is that having guns in the home does increase the risk of murders and suicides by firearms, the study also mentions that studies of defensive gun use "suggest that millions of defensive gun use incidents occur each year by people to protect themselves or their property against assaults, theft, or break-ins."

To me, this study tells me that there is a risk involved in gun ownership, and I wouldn't argue with that.

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

I don't think anyone would argue that the presence of guns in a home doesn't increase the risks of them being misused.

Actually, a lot gun owners argue EXACTLY THAT.

[nitasee.livejournal.com]

I always feel the need with surveys like this to point out that correlation is not equal to causation. For example people with guns in the home may be more at risk of homicide because they live in a crime ridden area. High crime or the perception of it is often the reason for buying a gun. On the other hand, guns can attract crime either because the criminal wants the gun or assumes that a gun means protecting valuables.

On the other hand, there is some truth to the common statement that if you have a gun you must be prepared to use it or it will be used against you.

That said, I still favour stronger gun control laws cause too many damn idjits have guns that they have no business havin'.

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

I always feel the need with surveys like this to point out that correlation is not equal to causation.

Yeah, but you could also use that argument (and the cigarette companies did) about smoking. Why dance around it? More guns around = more people shot and dead.

[nitasee.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely. But you know some yahoo will point out what I did and act like it's proof that the research proves nothing. I guess I just want gun nuts to know that I do think things out throughly and still favour stronger gun control. It just makes sense.