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Mrdrboi

(110 posts)
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 02:23 AM Jun 2014

I think I heard the dumbest reason for why other country's have less gun deaths.

Apparently a friend of mine said the reason why other countries have less gun deaths is because of better healthcare and better government than because the restriction/ban of guns. When I confronted him he said he read things that claimed that and some documentary proved that. He also said if we got rid of guns people would be using knives to kill people.

I really dont understand how someone could think that. Anyone else hear something stupid as to why other countries have less gun deaths thats not because the restriction of them.

P.S I apologize if I posted this in the wrong section.

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I think I heard the dumbest reason for why other country's have less gun deaths. (Original Post) Mrdrboi Jun 2014 OP
They are lousy shots Half-Century Man Jun 2014 #1
Welcome to DU Aerows Jun 2014 #2
Better health care includes better mental health care. flor de jasmim Jun 2014 #3
Other countries have fewer gun deaths because other countries have fewer guns, full stop. Spider Jerusalem Jun 2014 #4

Half-Century Man

(5,279 posts)
1. They are lousy shots
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 02:32 AM
Jun 2014

That one popped up in my head while reading the discussions two shootings ago (San Diego).

Yes, I know I have issues.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
2. Welcome to DU
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 02:49 AM
Jun 2014

You posted in the appropriate area. I agree with your friend that murder will happen regardless of whatever law is made, because murder is a lawless act. Ease of breaking the law, however, is facilitated if you can put 19 rounds into several people in the blink of an eye.

Should we outlaw guns? At this point, it would be closing the door after all of the horses, cattle and chickens have fled. Hell, even the bunny rabbits have fled.

I have no solution for you.

flor de jasmim

(1,476 posts)
3. Better health care includes better mental health care.
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 05:32 AM
Jun 2014

I live in Denmark, where the stigma of getting psychological help is not nearly as strong as in the US. Healthcare is single payer--we have no out-of-pocket expenses when going to the doctor, even a specialist, for going to the emergency room or having surgery. The system is not perfect, but health care cannot be lost, and people are supported through unemployment, so you don't see the level of desperation that one finds elsewhere. And handguns are not allowed in the hands of private citizens.

 

Spider Jerusalem

(21,786 posts)
4. Other countries have fewer gun deaths because other countries have fewer guns, full stop.
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 06:00 AM
Jun 2014

There have been studies; there is a direct relation between the number of guns per capita and the number of gun deaths per capita. More guns = more people being killed by guns.

Other developed countries have significantly lower murder rates than the US (which may be because guns make killing easier, or may be because of social factors unique to the US).

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