Interesting statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics

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baldeagle
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Interesting statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics

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http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/press/fv9311pr.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Firearm-related homicides declined 39 percent and nonfatal firearm crimes declined 69 percent from 1993 to 2011, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) announced today. Firearm-related homicides dropped from 18,253 homicides in 1993 to 11,101 in 2011, and nonfatal firearm crimes dropped from 1.5 million victimizations in 1993 to 467,300 in 2011.

For both fatal and nonfatal firearm victimizations, the majority of the decline occurred during the 10-year period from 1993 to 2002. The number of firearm homicides declined from 1993 to 1999, rose through 2006 and then declined through 2011. Nonfatal firearm violence declined from 1993 through 2004 before fluctuating in the mid- to late 2000s.

In 2011, about 70 percent of all homicides and eight percent of all nonfatal violent victimizations (rape, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault) were committed with a firearm, mainly a handgun. A handgun was used in about 7 in 10 firearm homicides and about 9 in 10 nonfatal firearm violent crimes in 2011. In the same year, about 26 percent of robberies and 31 percent of aggravated assaults involved a firearm, such as handguns, shotguns or rifles.

In 2007-11, about one percent of victims in all nonfatal violent crimes reported using a firearm to defend themselves during the incident. A small number of property crime victims also used a firearm in self-defense—about 0.1 percent of all property victimizations.

The majority of nonfatal firearm violence occurred in or around the victim’s home (42 percent) or in an open area, on the street, or while on public transportation (23 percent). Less than one percent of all nonfatal firearm violence occurred in schools.
As we have discussed here before, the vast majority of shootings are survived. The number here is 97.7%, but that includes crimes where a firearm was used but not fired.

I bolded the last sentence because it's so startling given recent events.
The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. James Madison
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cb1000rider
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Re: Interesting statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statis

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Post by cb1000rider »

Was there characterization of what was driving the decline or just statistics?

The 1% of firearm injuries sure does soak up the majority of the press and political play. It's also tragic because children are often involved.

It's like flying planes. I have relatives that give me an earful whenever a local private plane crashes because it's on TV. Never mind the fact that this month 100x more people will die in their car on the way to work. It's all about what the media can use to garner attention and viewers.
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baldeagle
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Re: Interesting statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statis

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Post by baldeagle »

It was just statistics. No commentary.
The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. James Madison
NRA Life Member Texas Firearms Coalition member
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