This post was just about 3 things.

Post #369,436 by Another Scott 1/9/13 8:07:26 AM Reply	This post was just about 3 things. 1) How many gun owners are there in the US? We don't have hard numbers. Estimates vary. 2) How many guns are in the US? We don't know. The NRA and the gun manufacturers want us to think there are a lot, but won't release numbers to the public. Congress restricts the data that can be collected by the ATF and other agencies. 3) Do guns in the home make suicide more likely on average? No question - yes. Why? We don't know. It's not about what to do about these things. Not yet. Figuring out the solution to a problem is impossible unless you think clearly about the problem. And part of that is having numbers you trust. HTH. Cheers, Scott.
Post #369,437 by crazy 1/9/13 8:17:46 AM Reply	Sigh 3) Do guns in the home make suicide more likely on average? No question - yes. Why? We don't know. Haven't you ever thought about killing yourself? And made the judgement between too painful or to possibly failure prone? Lye in the throat burns, maybe not enough guts to really drown (gotta find water deep enough), stepping in front of a train might not actually kill you, same with traffic, etc, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. But a gun to the mouth? Dammit, that's quick and pretty damn sure. I do know a friend who's mother tried a gun across the temple. She ended up blind but not dead. That made me understand I'd have to get it right if I chose a gun, but it would probably work. Guns are meant to kill, no argument. They are quick and effective. But messy. Most women will choose not to use guns, which sometimes has been attributed to their desire not to leave a mess around for someone else to cleanup. So, availability of a gun will allow someone to make the decision and execute it in the privacy of their own home, with little fear of pain or failure. Is this so tough? It is effective. So what? SAVE THE CRAZY FUCKERS. No. Let them kill themselves in the most painfree manner possible. If it is a SAVE THE CHEELDRUN rant? Lock the parents up for not securing their guns if they didn't at least try, but if the kid crowbars a lock off a gun cabinet, they are in the clear.
Post #369,441 by S1mon_Jester 1/9/13 9:38:30 AM Reply	Sidenote: I strongly suspect that not all suicides are captured. The person driving their car at night, drunk and crashes into a tree might be a drunk driver statistic. Or it might be a suicide. Gun suicides are much easier to measure.
Post #369,439 by boxley 1/9/13 8:35:35 AM Reply	looking at the mad rush in all 50 states to buy as many guns as possible before the idiots in DC turn off the taps I would think the estimates of gun ownership are not valid. People will not admit to 3rd parties that they own one. Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 57 years. meep
Post #369,442 by S1mon_Jester 1/9/13 9:40:21 AM Reply	Re: looking at the mad rush in all 50 states Lots of people will make the argument that those who do are pro-gun, anti-government and trying to prevent the government from "stealing their guns". A more realistic approach: Why admit you own one (or more)? What is the upside?

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