In this article, I tackle common gun myths head-on. No politics. No agenda. Just facts and stats.
Are the stats honest? That is a topic for another article, but I learned a lot about guns in the U.S. and hope you will to.
Guns don’t kill people, people kill people
The phrase “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” oversimplifies a complex issue and ignores the significant role firearms play in violence. This slogan became popularized by the NRA and gun advocates and has been used by both sides in gun debates. Research shows that access to guns increases the lethality of violent incidents, with a Harvard study finding that states with more firearms have higher rates of firearm-related deaths.
Some of these deaths are accidental, which would cause this phrase to be more of a myth than truth. Yes, a person shot the gun, but it was not intentional – and if the gun was not available, the death would not have happened.
Furthermore, the United States, which has the highest rate of gun ownership among high-income countries, also has a firearm homicide rate 25 times higher than other developed nations. Additionally, the presence of a gun in the home triples the risk of homicide by a family member or intimate partner, demonstrating that guns do indeed make violent situations more deadly.
Guns make communities safer
Despite claims about safety, research shows that more guns lead to more violence, not less. This would dispel the myth that guns make communities safer.
In 2023, there were 658 mass shootings in the United States, and 42,996 deaths from gun violence. Studies have consistently found that having a gun in the home actually doubles the risk of homicide and significantly increases the risk of suicide, with firearms being involved in 79% of homicides and 55% of suicides in 2022.
Criminals Always Find a Way To Get Guns
Since 1994, background check laws have proven highly effective at preventing illegal gun acquisitions. Background checks have blocked over 4 million gun sales to prohibited individuals, with more than 35% of these denials involving people convicted of felony offenses.
Data shows that around 80% of firearms used in crimes are obtained through transfers from unlicensed sellers, highlighting how closing background check loopholes could significantly reduce criminal access to guns. Data also shows that 96% of inmates convicted of gun offenses obtained their firearm from an unlicensed seller.
Can bad guys still get guns? Yes, right now they can. But gun laws are making an impact and future laws and more diligent background checks could help keep more guns out of the hands of the wrong people – without impacting law-abiding citizens.
Gun control laws don’t work
The claim that gun control laws don’t work is contradicted by substantial evidence from multiple studies. Research consistently shows that stricter gun laws are associated with lower rates of gun violence. A comprehensive study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that states with more firearm laws had lower rates of firearm-related deaths, including both homicides and suicides.
An analysis by Everytown Research & Policy demonstrates a clear correlation between stronger gun laws and lower rates of gun violence across U.S. states. A study in The Lancet projected that implementing universal background checks, firearm identification, and ammunition background checks nationwide could reduce firearm mortality by up to 90%. These findings strongly suggest that well-designed gun control measures can effectively reduce gun violence and save lives.
Gun violence is primarily a mental health issue
The notion that gun violence is primarily a mental health issue is not supported by overwhelming evidence. Studies show that only about 3-5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals with serious mental illnesses. People with mental health conditions are actually more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.
Research indicates that other factors, such as a history of violence, substance abuse, and social disadvantage, are more strongly associated with gun violence than mental illness alone. Furthermore, focusing solely on mental health as the cause of gun violence can perpetuate harmful stigma and potentially discourage individuals from seeking necessary mental health treatment.
The Second Amendment prohibits all gun regulations
The notion that the Second Amendment prohibits all gun regulations is a misconception not supported by legal precedent or historical practice. The Supreme Court, in landmark cases like District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), has affirmed that while the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms, it is not unlimited and allows for various forms of gun regulation.
Throughout American history, there has been a tradition of regulating firearms to balance public safety with individual rights, including age restrictions, prohibitions for certain individuals, and location-based restrictions. Even Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion, emphasized that the Second Amendment permits a “variety” of gun regulations, including longstanding prohibitions on possession by felons and the mentally ill, as well as restrictions on carrying firearms in sensitive places.
A good guy with a gun always stops a bad guy with a gun
A good guy with a gun always stops a bad guy with a gun is one that is up for debate. It might be a myth – and it might not be. Our research found a very large difference in data with the FBI showing a much lower rate than other investigative sources.
Based on the Crime Prevention Research Center’s (CPRC) recent analysis, the data actually supports that armed citizens do effectively stop active shooters. The CPRC found that armed citizens stopped 35.7% of active shooter incidents between 2014-2022, significantly higher than the FBI’s reported 4.6%.
In areas where concealed carry was legally permitted, the success rate was even higher – 51% of attacks were stopped by armed citizens, and this number rose to 63.5% in 2022. Importantly, the research also found that in these interventions, there has never been a case of an armed citizen accidentally shooting an innocent bystander, and only one recorded instance of police mistakenly shooting the intervening armed citizen.
Gun ownership increases home safety
Contrary to the belief that gun ownership increases home safety, research shows that having a gun in the home actually elevates the risk of fatal assaults and accidents. A comprehensive study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people living in homes with handguns were twice as likely to die by homicide compared to those in gun-free homes, with the risk being even higher for women, who were seven times more likely to be shot by a spouse or intimate partner.
Additionally, the presence of firearms in the home has been linked to a 50% increase in suicide risk for women living with handgun owners. These findings strongly suggest that rather than enhancing safety, gun ownership introduces significant dangers to household members.
The gun industry is immune from lawsuits
The myth that the gun industry is immune from lawsuits is not entirely accurate. While the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) of 2005 provides broad immunity to gun manufacturers and sellers, there are important exceptions. Lawsuits can still proceed if a manufacturer or seller knowingly violates laws applicable to the sale or marketing of firearms, or if they sell defective products.
Recent cases, such as the Sandy Hook families’ lawsuit against Remington, have successfully challenged this immunity by arguing that gun companies violated state laws on unfair trade practices. Additionally, some states are enacting laws to create more pathways for holding gun companies accountable, demonstrating that the industry’s legal protections are not absolute.
Guns are the best tool for self-defense
The myth that guns are the best tool for self-defense is not supported by available data. According to research, firearms are rarely used in self-defense situations, with only 1.7% of violent crime victims using a gun for self-protection between 2014 and 2018.
Studies have shown that guns in homes are more often used to intimidate family members than to thwart crime. Furthermore, a national survey found that victims using guns for self-defense were no less likely to be injured than those using other protective actions. While guns can be used for self-defense, the evidence suggests they are not necessarily the most effective or commonly used tool for personal protection.
Assault weapons bans are ineffective
Contrary to the myth that assault weapons bans are ineffective, research suggests that such bans can significantly reduce mass shootings and related casualties. A Northwestern Medicine study found that the 1994-2004 Federal Assault Weapons Ban resulted in a significant decrease in public mass shootings, preventing an estimated 10 such incidents during its tenure.
Furthermore, data analysis shows that the risk of dying in a mass shooting was 70% lower during the ban period, with an average of 5.3 yearly deaths compared to 25 in the years following its expiration. Additionally, a Senate Judiciary Committee report stated that gun massacres of six or more killed decreased by 37% while the ban was active, but increased by 183% in the decade after its expiration.
Silencers make guns completely quiet
The myth that silencers make guns completely quiet is not supported by scientific evidence. In reality, suppressors (commonly called silencers) reduce the sound of gunfire but do not eliminate it entirely. According to research, even the most effective suppressors typically only reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to around 110-120 decibels, which is comparable to the noise level of a jackhammer or an ambulance siren.
Studies have shown that suppressors can decrease the sound power levels of firearms by 2 to 23 dB, depending on the firearm and ammunition used. While this reduction is significant for hearing protection purposes, it does not render firearms silent, as suppressed gunshots remain audible and can still potentially cause hearing damage without additional protection.
Gun-free zones attract mass shooters
Contrary to the myth that gun-free zones attract mass shooters, recent research suggests that these areas may actually reduce the risk of mass shootings. A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Regional Health Americas found that active shootings were 62.5% less likely to occur in gun-free establishments compared to places that allow guns.
The study, which examined 150 locations that experienced active shootings between 2014 and 2020 and 150 matched control locations, revealed that only 48% of the shootings occurred in gun-free zones, while 61.3% of the control locations without shootings were gun-free. This evidence challenges the common belief that gun-free zones are more dangerous and suggests that they may have a protective effect against mass shootings.
All gun owners are experts in firearm safety
According to a national survey, only 61% of U.S. firearm owners have received any formal gun training, a figure that has remained relatively unchanged for two decades. Furthermore, even among those who have received training, there is no significant difference in safe storage practices compared to untrained gun owners, with 32.3% of trained owners still storing at least one firearm loaded and unlocked.
This evidence suggests that many gun owners may lack comprehensive knowledge of firearm safety, highlighting the need for improved and more widespread safety education among gun owners.
Stricter gun laws will prevent law-abiding citizens from owning guns
Contrary to the myth that stricter gun laws will prevent gun ownership by law-abiding citizens, evidence suggests that responsible individuals can still obtain firearms under more stringent regulations. A study from Northeastern University found that in Massachusetts, which has some of the most restrictive gun licensing laws in the United States, 97% of people who apply for a license are still granted one.
This high approval rate demonstrates that law-abiding citizens can successfully navigate stricter gun laws to acquire firearms. Furthermore, the study casts doubt on the argument that tighter regulations significantly impede legal gun ownership, suggesting that responsible individuals can still exercise their Second Amendment rights even in states with more stringent gun control measures.
Gun violence is at an all-time high
Contrary to the myth that gun violence is at an all-time high, recent data shows a significant downward trend in gun-related incidents across the United States. According to FBI data, annual homicides decreased by 7% in 2022, 13% in 2023, and a remarkable 26% through the first quarter of 2024, potentially marking the sharpest single-year homicide decrease in recorded history.
Furthermore, assault-related gun deaths and injuries have dropped by 14% in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year, saving 1,048 lives and preventing 2,275 injuries. While gun violence remains a serious concern, these statistics demonstrate that it is not at an all-time high and is, in fact, declining in recent years.
Active shooter drills keep people safe
The claim that active shooter drills keep people safe is not supported by conclusive evidence and may actually have unintended negative consequences. While 95% of American public schools conduct these drills, there is almost no research affirming their value in preventing school shootings or protecting the school community during actual incidents.
Studies have shown that these drills can cause significant psychological harm, with one analysis finding a 42% increase in anxiety and stress, a 39% spike in depression, and a 22% surge in fear of death among students in the 90 days following drills.
Furthermore, experts argue that involving students in these drills may be counterproductive, as research shows that in three out of four active school shooter incidents, the perpetrators were current or former students who would have been familiar with the procedures.
Guns are only used for violence
Firearms serve multiple legitimate purposes including hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans use firearms defensively between 500,000 and 3 million times each year, often without firing a shot.
Additionally, many gun owners engage in recreational activities such as target shooting, with about half of gun owners (52%) reporting that they go shooting or visit gun ranges often or sometimes. These statistics demonstrate that guns have various non-violent applications in American society.
Buying guns online requires no background check
The claim that you can buy a gun online with no background check is largely a misconception. Federal law requires all firearms purchased online from licensed dealers to be shipped to a local licensed dealer, who must then conduct a background check before transferring the firearm to the buyer.
But, some states do allow unlicensed private sellers to sell firearms online without background checks to in-state buyers, creating a potential loophole.
As of 2024, the Justice Department has implemented a new rule expanding background check requirements to cover more online and gun show sales, aiming to close this loophole. Additionally, 21 states and Washington DC have enacted laws requiring background checks for at least some types of firearms purchased from unlicensed sellers, including those arranged online.
Understanding these myths and the facts behind them is crucial for having informed discussions about gun policy and safety. It’s important to rely on credible research and data when addressing these complex issues.
Sources
John Hopkins – Bloomberg School of Public Health
Omnilert
Everytown Research
Giffords
ProCon
American Progress
FBI
Crime Prevention Research Center
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