Guns at home more likely to be used stupidly than in self-defense (2011)

> Summing matters up, Hemenway notes that a number of surveys have found that a gun kept at home is far more likely to be used in violence, an accident, or a suicide attempt than self defense. (He also goes off on a long diversion about how a poorly trained gun owner is unlikely to use one well even when self defense is involved.)

This is argument also means that the following actions contribute to accidents and death:

- YouTube etc. suppressing gun videos which almost all emphasize safe handling.

- attempts to close shooting ranges and regulate ammunition sales which make it harder to practice.

- shaming discussions of gun ownership so that it’s harder for people to discuss the practicalities and it becomes a covert activity.

I understand the firearm issue is a touchy subject, especially in America. I've always been taught to understand a firearm is a tool, an especially dangerous one designed to kill things. Unless you're target shooting or something, if you pull a gun out and point it at something your intentions are to kill whatever you're pointing that gun at.

It's not something that should be taken lightly and it's not something you should do unless it's a last resort.

That being said, i went through the firearms safety courses and did all the necessary steps to be able to acquire a firearm here, it was through school, there was a chance we'd be working in remote areas with grizzlies and cougars, in many cases a firearm would have been necessary for protection. I chose not to get the license because there was not a situation where I'd need it.

I've met many gun owners in my life. Most of them were quite responsible and understood exactly what the consequences of wielding a firearm is.

Then there's those people who acquired them illegally who had zero regard for any safety when it came to their firearms and used them irresponsibly. I won't be around those people if they have their gun around.

As far as the protection aspect goes, if you live in a relatively stable country and area in the country low on things like home invasion and crime, sure it's probably not necessary.

Then, there's places like some areas in south Africa, where someone I know's brother lives in a fortified compound with automated machine gun turrets and guns stashed in every drawer because when the thieves come, they'll show up in a group armed with automatic rifles, cut your phone lines, and murder you and your whole family for whatever money or anything valuable you have.

aka: "Fire insurance most likely to be a net loss to most subscribers."

Any view of firearms that does not recognize that they are important for the 0.1% case, not the daily case, is an incomplete one.