Over the last thirty years firearms enthusiasts have made great strides to the endeavor of preventing firearms accidents. The NRA deserves most of the credit, but the responsibility falls on all gun owners. This plays out in the fight for our rights. Whether you be for open carry, concealed carry, hunting only or just gun in the home, these facts work to support our cause and debunk the claims of our detractors.
You cannot argue that the population has increased. And you have to admit there are more guns than ever. But why does nobody talk about the unintentional (accidents) death rate by firearms?
The numbers below represent those taken by me this morning from the CDC database.
unintentional death rate by firearms
Year...........Deaths.............Rate per 100,000
1981..........1,871.......................82
1985..........1,649.......................69
1991..........1,441.......................57
1996..........1,134.......................42
1998..........866..........................31
2001..........802..........................28
2006..........642..........................21
I'm sure there are variables that can cut this up, but those are the numbers.
While the anti's tout the dangers of guns and the millions of guns in America, they fall short of bring up the accident rate.
Politics aside. What the NRA and gun owners have been doing in regards to safety and public education is working. And that is something I can believe in and support.
I'm off my soapbox now.