More Guns Mean More Murders

Two out of every three murder victims in America die from firearms. A study published in the journal Social Science and Medicine has examined the relationship between the levels of household firearm ownership and state homicide rates. A Center for Disease Control telephone survey found that one in three American households report firearm ownership ("Are any firearms kept in or around your home?").

The 50 states were classified into four groups according to the prevalence of firearm ownership. In comparing these groups with the rate of homicide, it was found that states in the highest 25% of firearm prevalence had firearm homicide rates 114% higher then states in the lowest 25% of ownership. Overall, firearm homicide rates for households with firearms were 60% higher than in those without firearms. However, non-gun-related homicide rates were not significantly linked with rates of firearm ownership.

It must be realized that the firearm-related homicides did not necessarily occur in the home, but on the street or elsewhere. Nevertheless, the findings suggest that household firearms may be an important source of guns used to kill people, both on the street and in their homes. It will be interesting to see how the National Rifle Association reacts to this clear-cut finding.