Down to the River to Pray – How Bad is Gun Violence in the United States

O sinners, let’s go down; Down in the river to pray; As I went down in the river to pray; Studying about that good old way; And who shall wear the robe and crown; Good Lord, show me the way! – Down to the River to Pray
Yesterday, a Leon’s Poultry and Oyster’s Shop employee threatened to “do a Virginia’s” during altercation, police report says.  Amidst this and the national school shooting in Florida and church shooting in Sutherland Springs, TX, gun control has once again become a hot topic in the United States.  This evening CNN is holding a televised Town Hall that will include representatives from the NRA and anti-gun activists looking at both sides of the debate and enhancing the public sentiment.  We took some time to gather some telling facts that indicates we have a serious concern in the United States and not one that will soon go away.  Whether it is legislation, awareness, family values, religion or something else, fear is alive and well and we need some solutions.
Important Facts Related to Gun Violence in the United States
  • America has 4.4 percent of the world’s population, but almost half of the civilian-owned guns around the world

  • There have been more than 1,500 mass shootings since Sandy Hook

  • On average, there is more than one mass shooting for each day in America

  • States with more guns have more gun deaths

  • States with tighter gun control laws have fewer gun-related deaths

  • Most gun deaths are suicides

  • Support for gun ownership has sharply increased since the early ’90s

The number of school shootings that have happened since the year 2000 around the world:
  • England – 0
  • Greece – 1
  • Netherlands – 1
  • Spain – 1
  • India – 1
  • Argentina – 1
  • Russia – 1
  • China – 3
  • Mexico – 4
  • Australia – 5
  • Canada – 5
  • Germany – 5
  • South Africa – 5
  • United States of America – 212

 

Homicides by firearm per 1 million people

  • Australia 1.4
  • New Zealand 1.6
  • Germany 1.9
  • Austria 2.2
  • Denmark 2.7
  • Netherlands 3.3
  • Sweden 4.1
  • Finland 4.5
  • Ireland 4.8
  • Canada 5.1
  • Luxembourg 6.2
  • Belgium 6.8
  • Switzerland 7.7
  • USA ?? 29.7

UNODC, Small Arms Survey

Global Prison Breakdown

Half of the world’s prison population of about nine million is held in the US, China or Russia.  Prison rates in the US are the world’s highest, at 737 people per 100,000 and the occupancy rate is 107.6% (Almost 8% over capacity).  Of the top 17 nations, 13 are overcapacity (China could not be determined).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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