Year: 2012
U.S. the Most Heavily Armed Country in the World
270 million
Estimated number of guns in the hands of civilians in the United States, making Americans the most heavily armed people in the world per capita, according to CNN. Yemen, a tribal nation with no history of strong central government or the rule of law, comes in a distant second.
It’s Both a Gun Problem and a Mental Health Problem
61
Number of mass murders, since 1982, involving firearms that have occurred throughout the United States. Of those, 43 of the killers were white males, and only one was a woman.
It Never Seems to Be the Right Time to Discuss Gun Policy
White House spokesperson Jay Carney on the shooting in Connecticut:
“I think it’s important on a day like today to view this as I know the president, as a father does and I as a father and others who are parents certainly do, which is to feel enormous sympathy for families that are affected and to do everything we can to support state and local law enforcement and support those who are enduring what appears to be a very tragic event. There is, I’m sure, will be, rather, a day for discussion of the usual Washington policy debates but I don’t think today is that day. [Emphasis added]
In what universe is entertaining the idea of limiting the public’s exposure to guns, “the usual Washington policy debates?” When was the last time Washington debated this topic? When Jimmy freaking Carter was president? Like 80 or 90 or several hundred mass shootings ago?
We never think today is the right day to stand up to the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America, but it’s always a fine day for multiple funerals.
And the first person who says, “If those little kids or the teachers had their own guns, this never would have happened,” is going to get blasted — verbally — by me. The answer to too many guns is not more guns.
