Handguns used in homicide more than other weapons

The school shooting in Oregon has gun control advocates demanding once again for a ban on so-called assault weapons (a loosely defined term that essentially means “scary-looking black rifle”). According to FBI statistics, rifles are used in only 3 percent of homicides.

Hands and feet are used in 6 percent of homicides. That’s twice as many as all rifles! Handguns, on the other hand, are used in 47 percent of homicides, yet nobody is proposing a ban on handguns. The highest death toll at a school was Virginia Tech. The shooter was armed with two handguns.

Another misguided idea is the establishment of gun-free zones by decree. This only affects the law-abiding gun owner, precisely the kind of person you need armed and present in an active-shooter scenario. The fact is, concealed carry permit holders statistically commit less crime than police officers. If you truly want to establish gun-free zone at a school or mall, then it must be enforced with armed guards and metal detectors, similar to an airport or courthouse.

Despite the sensational mass shootings, gun violence in general (murder, robbery, aggravated assault) has been decreasing in America for several decades. Meanwhile, gun manufacturing, sales, and conceal carry permits have all increased substantially. If there is no direct correlation between more guns and less crime, then, at the very least, you must admit that more guns does not necessarily lead to more crime.

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Handguns used in homicide more than other weapons."