The public has ideas on what would lower deaths from guns. Experts who study gun deaths also have ideas on what would lower the carnage. Interestingly, the public and the experts often disagree, but on certain policies they line up pretty well.
On some policies there are vast differences. Around 70% of the public thinks national “stand your ground” laws would lower gun deaths, but less than 10% of the experts agree with that.
On the other hand, here are five policies on which the experts and the public agree would lower deaths from guns.
- bar sales to violent criminals
- universal checks for gun buyers (almost 90% in both groups)
- bar sales to convicted stalkers
- bar sales to the mentally ill
- report lost or stolen guns
All of these make sense to me. I guess I fit into the category of “the public,” since I am certainly no expert.
The N.R.A. would oppose all five.
I just want to let you know that someone is reading your blog. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteAnd happy New Year to you as well. And thank you for letting me know. Needless to say, I'm pleased.
ReplyDeleteThe NRA does not represent gun owners, but gun manufacturers and apparently they're doing quite nicely in the last few years thanks to "Obama derangement syndrome." Wonder how having the Trumpeter in office is going to affect gun sales.
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