Violenza legata alle armi

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed." -Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890-1969) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Facts about Gun Violence Kids and Gun Violence Factsheet Suicide and Gun Violence Factsheet General Gun Violence Statistics FACT: In 2005 (the most recent year for which data is available), there were 1,019 gun deaths in the state of Illinois, a 3% INCREASE from 2004 statewide gun deaths. The 2005 Illinois gun deaths included: 569 homicides (56% of all IL gun deaths), 424 suicides (42% of all IL gun deaths), and 21 unintentional shootings, 1 legal intervention, and 4 of undetermined intent (2% of all IL gun deaths combined). -Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2008. FACT:In 2005 (the most recent year for which data is available), there were 30,694 gun deaths in the U.S: 12,352 homicides (40% of all U.S gun deaths), 17,002 suicides (55% of all U.S gun deaths), 789 unintentional shootings, 330 from legal intervention and 221 from undetermined intent (5% of all U.S gun deaths combined). -Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2008. FACT: Suicide is still the leading cause of firearm death in the U.S., representing 55% of total 2005 gun deaths nationwide. In 2005, the U.S. firearm suicide total was 17,002, a 1.5% INCREASE from 2004 suicide deaths. The state of Illinois saw a nearly 10% INCREASE in gun suicides from 387 in 2004 to 424 in 2005. Most suicides in the U.S. are committed with firearms. -Numbers obtained from CDC National Center for Health Statistics mortality report online, 2008. FACT: While handguns account for only one-third of all firearms owned in the United States, they account for more than two-thirds of all firearm-related deaths each year. A gun in the home is 4 times more likely to be involved in an unintentional shooting, 7 times more likely to be used to commit a criminal assault or homicide, and 11 times more likely to be used to attempt or commit suicide than to be used in self-defense. -A Kellerman, et al. Journal of Trauma, August 1998; Kellerman AL, Lee RK, Mercy JA, et al. "The Epidemiological Basis for the Prevention of Firearm Injuries." Annu.Rev Public Health. 1991; 12:17-40.) FACT: A gun in the home increases the risk of homicide of a household member by 3 times and the risk of suicide by 5 times compared to homes where no gun is present. -Kellerman AL, Rivara FP, Somes G, et al. "Suicide in the Home in Relation to Gun Ownership." NEJM. 1992; 327(7):467-472) FACT: Contrary to popular belief, young children do possess the physical strength to fire a gun: 25% of 3-to-4-year-olds, 70% of 5-to-6-year-olds, and 90% of 7-to-8-year-olds can fire most handguns. -Naureckas, SM, Christoffel, KK, et al. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 1995. FACT: Comparison of U.S. gun homicides to other industrialized countries: In 1998 (the most recent year for which this data has been compiled), handguns murdered: 373 people in Germany 151 people in Canada 57 people in Australia 19 people in Japan 54 people in England and Wales, and 11,789 people in the United States (*Please note that these 1998 numbers account only for HOMICIDES, and do not include suicides, which comprise and even greater number of gun deaths, or unintentional shootings). - Provided by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence FACT: Among 26 industrialized nations, 86% of gun deaths among children under age 15 occurred in the United States. - Provided by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence FACT: Taxpayers pay more than 85% of the medical cost for treatment of firearm-related injuries. - Martin M, et al. "The Cost of Hospitalization for Firearm Injuries." JAMA. Vol 260, November 25, 1998, pp 3048, and Ordog et al. "Hospital Costs of Firearm Injuries." Abstract. Journal of Trauma. February 1995, p1) FACT: While handguns account for only one-third of all firearms owned in the United States, they account for more than two-thirds of all firearm-related deaths each year. A gun kept in the home is 22 times more likely to be used in a homicide, suicide or unintentional shooting than to be used in self-defense. - Kellerman AL, Lee RK, Mercy JA, et al. "The Epidemiological Basis for the Prevention of Firearm Injuries." Annu. Rev. Public Health. 1991; 12:17-40 Back to top FACT: In a ten year span, 1988 to 1997, 633 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed by firearms in America. A handgun was the murder weapon in 78% (492 victims) of the fatal incidents. Over the same period of time, rifles killed 106 officers and shotguns killed 35 officers. A total of 253 law enforcement officers were slain while equipped with body armor. - U.S. Department of Justice FACT: From 1977 to 1996, the U.S. firearm industry produced 85,644,715 firearms, 39,024,786 handguns, 26,651,062 rifles and 19,969,867 shotguns in the United States. - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms FACT: As of 1994, 44 million Americans owned more than 192 million firearms, 65 million of which were handguns. Although there were enough guns to have provided every U.S. adult with one, only 25% of adults owned firearms. Seventy-four percent (74%) of gun owners possessed two or more firearms. - National Institute of Justice, May 1997 FACT: Every two years more Americans die from firearm injuries than the total number of American soldiers killed during the 8-year Vietnam War. In 2003, the total number of people killed by guns in the United States was 30,136. - Based on data from CDC National Center for Health Statistics WISQARS online data collection system, 2006. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL REPORT: Results from Report Published in the New Scientist The July 2003 issue of New Scientist magazine contains a report about life-saving technologies for guns that should be implemented as standards for the gun industry. Click here to view the online report. In addition to pushing for existing technologies to be incorporated into gun industry processes, the report also cited new data on the risks of guns. Here are some facts from the report: People who keep guns at home have a 72% greater chance of being killed by firearms and are 3.44 times more likely to commit suicide than those who do not keep guns at home (Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol 41, p. 771). A recent survey of 236 types of pistols made in the U.S. found that: only 13% had a loaded chamber indicator only 20% had a grip safety to make it harder for children to use the gun only 21% had a magazine safety, which prevents the gun from firing when the magazine has been removed, even if there is already a round in the chamber of the gun (Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol 41, p 1) A recent Emory University study shows that 32% of unintended shootings in the U.S. are caused by deficiencies in gun design. (Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol 41, p 10) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teens Say It's Easy To Get Guns A nationwide survey about teenagers attitudes toward guns, conducted in 2003, found that: 39% Number of teens who said they know someone who has been shot 37% of teenagers could get a handgun "if I really wanted to" 27% know of a handgun kept in their house, apartment or car 59% do not believe that "video games can make teenagers violent" 56% do not want armed security guards patrolling their schools 90% do not believe that teachers and principals should be able to "bring handguns to school to protect students" Source: Teenage Research Unlimited, June 2003. Data from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention show that: Everyday in the United States, 8 young Americans ages 19 and under are killed in gun homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings. For every child killed by a gun, four more are wounded. .