February 10, 2001
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Although many gun owners keep a gun in the home for protection, studies show that risks of keeping a gun in the home out-weigh benefits. For instance, a gun in the home is actually used for self-protection in fewer than 2% of home invasion crimes.

Source: Kellermann A et al. Weapon involvement in home invasion crimes. JAMA. 1995; 273: 1759-1762

 


Related Facts
Guns kept in homes are 22 times more likely to be involved in unintentional shootings, criminal assaults, homicides and suicide attempts than to be involved in injuring or killing in self defense.

Source: Kellermann AL, et al. Injuries and deaths due to firearms in the home. Journal of Trauma, 1998; 45 (2): 263-267


By the year 2001, gunfire injury is projected to surpass motor vehicle injury as the leading cause of traumatic death in the United States.

Source: Cherry D, Annest JL, Mercy JA, Kresnow MJ, Pollock DA. Trends in nonfatal and fatal firearm-related injury rates in the United States, 1985-1995. Annals of Emergency Medicine 1998; 32: 51-59


Gun related deaths are the second leading cause of injury death in the United States. In 1996, there were 34,040 gun-related deaths-over 90 deaths every day.

Source: Peters KD, Kichanek, KD, Murphy SL. Deaths: Final data for 1996. National Vital Statistics Reports. 1998; 47(9)


In 1996, about three percent of firearm fatalities were unintentional, claiming the lives of approximately 1,134 people.

Source: Peters KD, Kichanek, KD, Murphy SL. Deaths: Final data for 1996. National Vital Statistics Reports. 1998; 47(9)


In the one year period from June 1994 through May 1995, an estimated 87,844 persons were treated for nonfatal firearm-related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency departments.

Source: Cherry D, Annest JL, Mercy JA, Kresnow MJ, Pollock DA. Trends in nonfatal and fatal firearm-related injury rates in the United States, 1985-1995. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 1998; 32: 51-59.


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