Cost of Gun Deaths in America

After the Shooting Deaths at Virginia Tech some years ago one would think that there would be a demand for real change in gun laws and the proliferation of weapons especially automatics and semi automatics . I guess not.

The words of the 2nd amendment seem to be set in stone. Even faced with multiple massacres Americans respond illogically by buying more guns.

Not so long ago the United States Government almost came to a shutdown as both Democrats and Republicans squabbled about ways in which to reduce the deficit.

Current public programs look like being slashed. along with vital infrastructure programs that would have increased productivity and provided much need jobs.

At a time when the economy needs stimulus seems like the political cycle will only grant the opposite-slash and burn. We know that some of these cuts will hurt especially those than can least afford it the lower income earners. Okay I know I have written before about this old chestnut HERE. I do here however present some new less known facts about the costs of gun violence in the United States. One of the ways in which the Government could have changed policy and saved money at the same time is gun control. Did you know that the financial cost alone for gun violence in America cost billions of dollars annually . In 2005 the figure was 37 billions alone. That right 37 billion (not million) dollars each and every year. Gun violence remains a huge tax on America's quality of life even in monetary terms. Not counting the loss in pain and suffering to family and friends.

Statistics on Gun Violence in America- A peer reviewed study by an Insurance Actuary and Academic Professor Jean Lemaire at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania discovered to his dismay that the annual costs of gun deaths and polices toward firearms cost the nation to one hundred billion dollars annually. The billions of dollars by the way does not account for the emotional and mental suffering and physical pain that being shot. As well it does not cover the costs of pain of loved ones being shot or killed. Such a calculation would send figures into the stratosphere. Handguns Kill People.

In 2000, 28,663 people in the US died from firearm injury: 16,586 from suicide,10,801 from homicide, 776 unintentional, 270 from legal intervention, 230 undetermined (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003).

Of course the impact of gun related deaths in America also has an adverse impact on the life expectancy of Americans. The US remains far behind other countries of similar levels of affluence. The figure for males is 30th for males and 29th for females from 35 countries with a similar level of economic development.

In the US, about 80% of firearm homicides (and about 70% of firearm suicides) are committed using a handgun,

The crude US measure of death by 100,000 per population dwarfs any other country. The US rate dwarfs the rate of any other industrialized country. It is 5.5 times the next highest rate that of Italy.

Policy makers looking to save money and prevent crime which is very expensive in both law enforcement terms,medical and loss of income generation and taxes paid could or rather should look at gun proliferation as a way and means of reducing public debt.

In the 2007 Supreme Court decision the argument about the 2nd amendment rights was clarified albiet not without continued dispute which ended arguing about the founding father's use of commas in the Constitution. In the case of District of Columbia v Heller the US Supreme Court found that the state had no right to restrict the use of firearms and that the 2nd amendment gave the absolute right of citizens to remain armed. Whilst the Supreme Court ended up deciding the case on the use of commas; Whether there were two or three commas in the founding document.

Surely the result is absurd having regard to the practical effect that the ruling has on modern day America. Like all Constitutions worldwide they are surely meant to be organic documents meant to serve the people.

I content the interpretation of the 2nd amendment, far from serving the public imposes a terrific toll on America's population.