The second amendment of the constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. As the specter of gun violence continues in our workplaces, roads and schools, the question keeps arising: do guns keep you safe, or just increase the level of violence?
The gun lobby has made it a habit to spread misleading information about the dangers of guns. In fact, they have developed a powerful media machine that keeps fair reporting out of the mainstream and relentlessly perpetuates myths such as:
• Homes with guns are safer than those without;
• Guns don’t kill people, people do; and
• If there were more guns in civilian hands, there would be fewer gun deaths.
Contrary to the gun lobby's propaganda, purchasing a gun for self-protection does not lead to enhanced personal safety. In fact, having a gun in the home increases the risk of domestic violence homicide, suicide and unintentional injury. Consider the facts:
• Each time a gun is used in a legally-justifiable shooting in a home, there are 22 unintentional, criminal, and suicide-related shootings.
• Having a gun in the home increases the risk of suicide fivefold.
• Having a gun in the home triples the risk of homicide in the home.
So, when posed with the question "Does Owning a Gun Make You Safer?", the answer is easy. More guns equal more death and despair...plain and simple.
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