The letter in Monday’s Daily Herald regarding the unfairness of the statistics used to equate gun deaths with vehicular accident deaths was a revelation. (“Wrong to include suicide numbers.”) The writer points out that the inclusion of gun deaths from suicide in the total is unacceptable, as those intent upon suicide would find another way, even if a gun were not within an arm’s reach and could be used without a second thought.
Such logic is unassailable, but simply does not go far enough.
Why did the authors of the study include homicides? If someone is truly intent upon killing someone, they would simply find another way to accomplish that goal if no firearm was available.
And accident victims? Well, accidents are usually caused by careless or physically awkward persons. Such people are frequently described as “accidents waiting to happen.” So, clearly, if there were no firearms around, such persons would undoubtedly cause death and injury by other means.
Obviously, the only fair statistic to use in tabulation of gun deaths would be from those weapons which spontaneously discharge, untouched by human hands.
Wake up, America! It’s time to smell the gunpowder.
Steve Guinn
Edmonds
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