pewresearch:

Despite what the public believes about the rate of gun violence, our report finds that compared with 1993, the firearm homicide rate was 49% lower in 2010, and there were fewer deaths, even though the nation’s population grew. The victimization rate for other violent crimes with a firearm—assaults, robberies and sex crimes—was 75% lower in 2011 than in 1993. Violent non-fatal crime victimization overall (with or without a firearm) also is down markedly (72%) over two decades.

Full report

Mark Twain said there are “lies, damn lies and statistics.” What’s worse is reporting half the story, which is beneath the credibility of the Pew. If firearms were poison or carcinogens would they be acceptably tolerated? Yet, they inflict more damage than many diseases I as a physician must treat.

So what the Pew Research failed to do, CONTEXT, reporting I include in this post with credible references!

Semi-automatic pistols were the weapon of choice for juveniles, with 58% traced among youth under age 18 and 60% for those ages 18-24, compared to 47% among persons age 25 or older.

Most firearm injuries caused by assault or legal intervention are nonfatal. In 2007, 79% of firearm injuries resulting from interpersonal violence were nonfatal

Firearm injury disproportionately affects young people. Among the leading causes of death for those ages 15-24, homicide ranks second and suicide ranks third, with the number of firearm- related homicides and suicides outnumbering the next nine leading causes of death combined.

The rate of firearm homicides peaked in the early 1990s. The firearm suicide rate has declined, dropping below 6/100,000 in the 2000s. Both the firearm homicide rate and the homicide suicide rate are higher than the corresponding non-firearm rates.

Source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 2010.