PDA

View Full Version : "Lies, darn lies, and statistics"...the use handguns for personal defense...


msc
27th September 2009, 02:23
To sort of quote Mark Twain that is… Looking for an objective study on the use of handguns for personal protection. So much of what is out there has an agenda, for or against handguns, trying to support one position or another. It would be great to see for example, how many times per year handguns are successfully used to defend one’s self. How many times brandishing was used without firing and produced a good result. How many times it backfired, the gun was taken from the person showing the handgun, and it was then used against them. Similar stats for use inside the home, etc.

Anecdotal evidence drives one to distraction and is used so frequently…it is weak argument and has no place in real discussion. It would be great to see to some raw numbers and draw one’s own conclusions and arguments from that, IMHO. Or, maybe a source that supports a position using real data but in a relatively complete sense so that it is not cherry picking numbers too much.

Is there such a resource, or more than one, that looks at pistol use for self defense and objectively examines the pros and the cons? Thanks for any help or thoughts.

Dial 1911 for Help
27th September 2009, 14:34
Haven't read any of them but I have heard John Lott's books are good. Just because the conclusions come out one-sided doesn't mean he didn't do honest research with an open mind. Maybe the truth is one-sided.

msc
27th September 2009, 19:28
Thanks, will check them out. And agreed that conclusions may arrive from looking at facts, and that is fine and I mentioned that in the original post.

And true enough, the truth is the truth...and good when we are the right side of it. :)

msc
27th September 2009, 19:55
OK, just looked up John Lott's work...this is def a guy to read...thanks!