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Cherry picking does not reach the truth

Marvin Marin
Published: June 25, 2008

This letter is in response to Mr. Jacobsen’s column on June 24 regarding the Violence Policy Center’s statistics regarding gun violence in Hawaii.

Reading the article any person would see those numbers and instantly jump to the conclusion that Mr. Jacobsen is right. However, Mr. Jacobsen has mistakenly believed the statistics cherry picked by
the Violence Policy Center and did not research the numbers himself.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an interactive application located at http://webapp.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate10_sy.html that allows you to query their database to
determine deaths in the United States based on several factors. It’s the same data that the VDC used.

If you make the following selections: homicide, firearm, and state under “select output group(s),” and keep the rest of the default settings, you will get a more accurate representation of reality.

The most restrictive “state” in the union in terms of firearm laws has the highest incidence of murders by firearm per capita. You guessed it, Washington, D.C. — not Louisiana.

Now, Hawaii (0.39) does have the smallest per capita rate of homicide by firearms just as the VPC reported. However, the rates for other states drop dramatically. North Dakota (0.47), Maine (0.61) and
New Hampshire (0.61) are statistically very close to the rates of Hawaii. In addition, Maine and New Hampshire have equivalent populations all without the unconstitutional restrictions in place in Hawaii.

How did the numbers differ? The VPC included deaths attributed to self-defense, law enforcement shootings and suicides. If you’re going to have a fair, balanced and logical debate on firearms, let’s at
least use the right figures.

In closing, I hope that you go to the CDC’s Web site and check the numbers yourself. I also ask all my fellow Virginians to carry their firearms openly, proudly and responsibly. A right unused is a right
that both the VPC and Mr. Jacobsen want to take away from you.

MARVIN MARIN

Dumfries

Reader Reactions

Posted by ( zcxnissan ) on June 29, 2008 at 3:58 pm

Most people want sensible gun laws, no guns for felons: etc. If you place too many restrictions on guns and their use, then you basically give a criminal all the edge he needs. What works in a small state like Hawaii doesn’t necessarily work in most states and most countries for that matter. Thank God the Supreme Court interpreted the 2nd Amendment the way it should have been interpreted, the way our “Founding Fathers” meant it too be. LOL Chris Cummings

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Posted by ( Sammy B ) on June 29, 2008 at 2:15 am

I realize that natural causes kill many more people than firearms. That does not change the fact that we need to take steps to reduce gun violence in this country. I actually do believe in the right of citizens to own firearms. However, I think we need to do a lot more to ensure that only law-abiding citizens possess them and that those who do be well trained to store and use them safely. The Hawaiian laws Mr. Jacobsen listed seem like a sensible effort to achieve that goal while preserving citizens’ rights.

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Posted by ( zcxnissan ) on June 28, 2008 at 3:02 pm

Well Duh let’s see where those numbers lead Ron or will you cherrypick the figures, Duh. LOL Chris Cummings

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Posted by ( mmarin ) on June 27, 2008 at 3:55 pm

Sammy,

It might be crass, but it’s reality. You are many times more likely to be killed by a drunk driver than a legally owned and maintained firearm.

..or a bad prescription, or a medical mistake, or cancer, or heart attack, etc..etc..

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Posted by ( Sammy B ) on June 27, 2008 at 3:38 pm

“At the end of the day guns really don’t kill that many people.“ Using the link to the CDC very kindly provided by the author of this letter, I learned that over 12,000 persons died in firearm homicides in the United States in 2005. Granted, this does not come close to things like heart disease, but I still consider it rather crass to call 12,000 dead “not that many.“ Besides, it is not logical to compare firearms to unhealthy foods. Muggers do not threaten to shove Big Macs down people’s throats.

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Posted by ( barnun ) on June 27, 2008 at 11:01 am

diabetes is competing with cancer as the number one killer in the us. yet there are no regulations anywhere on diet. I’ve read that it is now predicted that 1 out 3 or 4 children will be diagnoses with diabetes. This is pretty much straight up diet related.

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Posted by ( mmarin ) on June 27, 2008 at 9:59 am

I’d like for you to point out what part of my debate point is phony.

As for your comment about facts are facts. Facts are that outlawing cheese, chicken nuggets, alcohol, and all cars/trucks/suvs will each have more of an effect in terms of ‘saving lives’ over that of guns.

At the end of the day guns really don’t kill that many people.

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Posted by ( Grant Gary Jacobsen ) on June 27, 2008 at 7:54 am

I’m amazed that a number of readers have tried to “restate” the points I made in my column. In the process, they question my motives, and introduced phony arguments. Serious adults can check the statistics for themselves. Facts are facts, regardless of what the gun guys say.

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Posted by ( barnun ) on June 26, 2008 at 3:06 pm

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From
1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend
themselves, were rounded up and exterminated
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917,
1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were
rounded up and exterminated
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to
1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable
to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated
Australia initiates gun control >
Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent
Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent
etc etc etc

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Posted by ( Advocator ) on June 26, 2008 at 9:33 am

Jacobsen’s drivel isn’t worth reading, let alone commenting upon. Save it for the bird cage.

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