Interesting data.. [View All]

While looking at data for another post, I noticed something.

http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2008/offenses/expanded_information/data/shrtable_10.html

This table is from the 2008 FBI stats on crime, Murder Circumstances by Relationship- ie, it relates the relationship between victim and offender.

We often hear that guns are dangerous because they're more likely to be used on one's spouse or children. Simply put, the stats don't back it up.

Of the groups of relationships between offender and victim that are known, 'acquaintance' is the leading relationship, followed by 'stranger'- not husband, not wife, not father, not mother, friend, etc.

Considering that a majority of murders are committed by those with previous convictions of violent crime, I'd say 'acquaintance' covers a multitude of sins- 'drug dealer', 'mule', 'pimp', 'cohort', 'bag man', 'co-conspirator'...