Gun Control & RKBA
In reply to the discussion: Pew Research Admits Flaw in Poll Used to Attack Strong Gun Control Laws [View all]jimmy the one
(2,708 posts)NYC skip in #17 posted chart showing decline in firearm homicide since 1993, nyc skip conveniently dismissing the fact that gun ownership rates have concomitantly also declined since early 1990's, as corroborated by gss & pew, & somewhat by gallup. There is a correlation, & tho correlation does not prove causation, it certainly doesn't disprove it. Gun ownership is likely a contributing reason for homicide rates:
The Pew Research Centers results generally track with the General Social Survey: When the GSS asked last year if people had a gun in their home or garage, 34% said they did.
Though other surveys (such as this one from Gallup) have found somewhat higher self-reported ownership rates, by and large they indicate that less than half of Americans own a gun.
The Pew Research and GSS surveys both have found declining gun-ownership rates over time. In 1973, for example, when the GSS first asked about gun ownership, 49% reported having a gun or revolver in their home or garage. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/06/04/a-minority-of-americans-own-guns-but-just-how-many-is-unclear/