Gun shows don't increase homicide, suicide rates

[JohnRich 4]

News:

Gun shows don't increase homicide, suicide rates

Gun shows don't contribute to increased homicide or suicide rates, according to results of a study announced Wednesday by the University of Michigan.

The examination of gun death data in the weeks surrounding more than 3,400 California and Texas gun shows concluded tighter regulation of the flea market-like operations did nothing to reduce firearms-related deaths in the following month.

Researchers compared gunshot death data surrounding every known gun show in California and Texas between 1994 and 2004. California has some of the most stringent gun sale rules in the country. Texas is among the least restrictive.

"To the extent that 33 regulations such as those in place in California reduce any deleterious effects of gun shows, one might expect to detect a larger effect in a relatively unregulated state such as Texas. Our results, however, provide no evidence to suggest that gun shows lead to a substantial increase in the number of homicides or suicides in either California or Texas," said U-M professor Brian Jacob...

Source: Detroit News

You mean that people aren't going into unregulated gun shows in Texas and then walking out on the street and massacring people? Golly gee, what a surprise.

[AWL71 0]

Anyone with knowledge of a how a gun show works will not be surprised by this. This study was a waste of time and money. I am subject to the same regulations whether I buy a pistol at a gun show or a retail store.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[Andy9o8 3]

Quote

The examination of gun death data in the weeks surrounding more than 3,400 California and Texas gun shows concluded tighter regulation of the flea market-like operations did nothing to reduce firearms-related deaths in the following month.

I'm concerned about the methodology of the study - looking only (or mainly) at death rates ONLY for 1 or 2 months post-sale. The methodology is not very probing as to whether gun shows do, or do not, contribute more generally to possession of firearms by people who would not otherwise pass a "standard" background check that would be conducted at a regular gun store. That kind of study needs to be done too, for the sake of a properly comprehensive analysis.

[AWL71 0]

There is no difference between a background check that is done at a gun show compared to a retail store. Do you honestly think there is?

Now it is true that an individual can sell to another individual at a gun show with no paper work but individual to invidual sales can take place anywhere.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[Andy9o8 3]

My point is, there are a host of criticisms of gun shows out there in the mainstream. The focus of this study's analysis is so narrow it barely scratches the surface.

[normiss 917]

As a concealed weapons permit holder, I don't face that issue at a gun show.
Buy and walk.
No rampage though.
No permit = background check and waiting period = no walk with weapon that day.

[AWL71 0]

There are a great deal of criticisms against gun shows that are propagated by the anti-gun crowd. And all of them are untrue. Gun show dealers have to follow the same rules as retail stores.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[millertime24 8]

Unless you live here in UT. No waiting. Walk in, put down cash, get background checked and walk out with your new toy (or in the case of Impact Guns use their indoor range for a while since if you buy from them they give you a free day at it). That reminds me there's a gun show coming up and I need another 880 rnds of 7.62x54r......

Muff #5048

[kelpdiver 2]

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I'm concerned about the methodology of the study - looking only (or mainly) at death rates ONLY for 1 or 2 months post-sale.

Why? It's followup to research conclusions that suicide rates spike shortly after buying a gun. (duh)

[Andy9o8 3]

I guess I'm thinking globally.

[kelpdiver 2]

Are you sure that's what you're thinking? You seem confused on the whole subject, seem to repeating many known falsehoods, starting with 'different background checks.'

[Andy9o8 3]

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Are you sure that's what you're thinking? You seem confused on the whole subject, seem to repeating many known falsehoods, starting with 'different background checks.'

Oh, well, like The Scarecrow: if I only had a brane. Brain. Whatever.

I'm really just pointing up the minimalist scope, and thus utility, of the researcher's study. Nothing more; nothing less. People are just quick to get that allergic itch in gun threads.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

I'm concerned about the methodology of the study - looking only (or mainly) at death rates ONLY for 1 or 2 months post-sale...

Well, one of the claims of the gun-o-phobes is that criminals walk in there and buy whatever guns they want, then walk out and commit crimes with them. This study shows that isn't happening.

And if they do end up committing a crime with the gun many months later, then the gun show isn't the enabler for that, because in all those months that have passed they could have gotten their gun in many other ways too.

So what it seems to prove is that there isn't impulse buying for criminal acts. Gang-bangers aren't saying;

"Hey man, you know, I wants to do me a bank robbery this weekend, so I'se gonna get my ass to that there gun show and buy me a piece to do it with!"

Nope, instead, they either already have the gun they are committing crimes with, or they'll get it some other way.