Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for October 6, 2017
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
October 6, 2017: Between 2012 and 2014, there were an average of 33,599 gun deaths in America each year. Data compiled by FiveThirtyEight shows that 63% of them (21,058) were suicides. Another 35% (11,726) were homicides, and less than 2% were accidents.[1]
Older men were the most likely to commit suicide. “The next-largest set of gun deaths — 1 in 5 — were young men aged 15 to 34, killed in homicides,” according to statistician Leah Libresco.[2] “These men were most likely to die at the hands of other young men, often related to gang loyalties or other street violence.”
Additionally, the data shows “1,700 women murdered per year, usually as the result of domestic violence.”
Reviewing all of this data led Libresco to conclude that most of the gun control policies she advocated would have little impact. Instead, she “found the most hope in more narrowly tailored interventions.”
More specifically, Libresco wrote that “older men, who make up the largest share of gun suicides, need better access to people who could care for them and get them help. Women endangered by specific men need to be prioritized by police, who can enforce restraining orders prohibiting these men from buying and owning guns. Younger men at risk of violence need to be identified before they take a life or lose theirs and to be connected to mentors who can help them de-escalate conflicts.”
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
- October 5, 2017 – 28% of women earn more than their husband/partner
- October 4, 2017 – 78 percent of companies on U.S. stock market since 1950 have disappeared
- October 3, 2017 – 62 of 100 largest cities have Democratic mayors
- October 2, 2017 – 122 billion dollars: increase in annual regulatory costs added during Obama administration
- September 29, 2017 – 4 trillion dollars in federal spending during Fiscal Year 2017
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Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
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