Honest research

Shooting Industry, Sept, 2008

I am a researcher with a particular interest in private firearm ownership in the U.S. I am currently writing a book chapter reviewing recent research on the topic and I'm trying to compile U.S. import, export and manufacturing numbers of handguns and long guns to estimate the number of civilian-owned guns.

Many researchers argue that the increase in civilian gun ownership in the '80s and '90s helped cause increases in violent crime. I'm trying to make the points that (1) increased crime is likely to cause citizens to become gun owners, not the other way around, and (2) the large violent crime drop that started in the late '90s occurred while firearms sales continued to outstrip the growth in the U.S. population and growth in U.S. households.

I noticed that you reported import data on firearms for 2005 and 2006 ("Industry Greatly Tested In 2008," July 2008). I currently have import data up to 1999 and export/manufacture data up to 2006. I'm hoping that you might be able to point me to official data sources that would fill in the blanks. Any assistance that you would be willing to provide would be appreciated.

Richard L. Legault, Ph.D.

Via: russ@shootingindustry.com

Researchers who honestly look at the growth of firearms, especially firearms in the self-defense category, will conclude that crime drives (self-defense) firearm sales, not the other way around. The key is "honest" research.

Rather than look at the entire country to get such data, consider New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina: The overwhelming number of firearms sold during the days and weeks of the tragedy were purchased by first-time gun buyers--motivated by fear of becoming a victim of crime. That model is reflected nationally.

In addition, honest research will reveal that once such gun-sales spikes occur in a crime-ridden area. crime goes down. Hmmmm. I wonder why? That also applies to areas where concealed carry laws are enacted. When criminals, who are really cowards (when was the last time they went on a shooting spree inside a police station, instead of a mall or school building?), realize they may meet Mr. Bullet or Mrs. Shotshell, they go elsewhere--like Washington, D.C., where citizens are disarmed, until now, by government.

Sadly, those who proclaim that the gun is the problem, won't/can't conduct honest research.

Concerning filling in the data of imports/exports, we use the export data provided by the ATF, which it appears you already have. If not, it's available at: www.atf.gov/firearms/stats/index.htm.> For import data, we use data from the Foreign Trade Division of the U.S. Census Bureau: www.usatradeonline.gov.

Hope this helps. Keep up the good fight.