Three Interesting Charts On Guns In The United States

These charts are from the Pew Research Center. They relate some interesting facts about guns in the United States.

The top chart is the most troubling. It shows that the number of gun deaths is increasing in the United States -- from 28,700 in 2000 to about 39,800 in 2017. And it's not because the population is increasing. The rate of gun deaths per 100,000 people has increased from 10.2 in 2000 to about 12.0 in 2017. We have a gun problem in this country, and that problem is growing.

The second chart is the most hopeful. It shows that 57% of Americans believe gun laws should be more restrictive in this country. Unfortunately, too many in Congress (especially Republicans) choose to ignore the wishes of the American public (so they can continue getting money from the NRA and gun manufacturers). They claim to be protectors of the Second Amendment, but that is just an excuse for inaction. There are several things that could be done without violating the Second Amendment.

The third chart shows how out of proportion our gun laws are. Only 30% of Americans own a gun, even though there are enough guns in circulation for every citizen to have one. Many in that 30% own more than one gun. Another 11% live with one of those 30% who own a gun. About 57% of American households do not have a gun.