Guns Around The World (PHOTOS)

America leads the developed world for murders committed using firearms, with a rate of 0.0279271 per 1,000 people, according to UN reports from 2000.

Here we looked at various different countries' statistics and laws. What common threads do you see? Share your comments below.

• • • • • • • • South Africa has 0.719782 gun murders per 1,000 people. Owning a gun is based upon a competency test and several other factors. Here, a member of the South African Police (SAP) checks as some of the more than 1000 illegal firearms dangle from a giant magnet prior to being crushed and melted down in Kuils River, Cape Town, on 30 September 2003.

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Comments

[Thirdpower]

Looking at it more closely, it comes from Nationmaster which cites the 7th UN survey. Ten years out of date. The current one is the 10th w/ data from '05-'06.

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/United-Nations-Surveys-on-Crime-Trends-and-the-Operations-of-Criminal-Justice-Systems.html

They've had to completely change the way they record since they improperly calculated the murder rates of several nations including Switzerland. Here's the Swiss Gov;t response when I contacted them:

"Thank you for your mail
Unfortunately, data from the UN reports are not correct. The figure of 213 refers to 'completed' and 'attempted' homicides and the figure of 127 to the attempted ones.

We apologize for the error and thank you very much for having brought it to our notice.

Kind regards

Swiss Federal Statistical Office"

[Thirdpower]

Define 'developed'.

What criteria is being used besides selectively choosing which countries are included? What are the firearm laws in the various nations? Why does the UN include a disclaimer on their crime reports warning against international comparisons due to the difference in classification?

According to an IANSA document, Mexico is considered "industrialized", is a member of the OECD, and has a higher per capita homicide rate than the US. 6+ vs 2.79. Both Brazil, Russia and South Africa are also considered "industrialized" (all are G8+5 members) but are not members of the OECD and have higher firearm homicide rates than the US. 21.07,(hom­icide around 20/100K) , 22.04.

BTW, the US has actually dropped from 3.11 over the last few years even with more firearms in civilian hands and laws becoming less restrictive.

[KIVPossum]

Wiki says there are ONLY 90 guns in America for every 100 people. We have to do something to correct this.

Maybe hospitals should check with parents to be sure they have a gun for their newborn just as they do with a car seat.

[CologneCitizen]

If the American auto lobby was as strong as the NRA, Detroit would be in better shape.

[HisXLNC]

No need for an automobile lobby. When he runs for reelection, just have Barack Obama take the same position on cars as he does on guns. Perhaps have him promise to instate a ban on any automobile with more than 4 cylinders.

[Sensiblebg]

*Opens his gu n safe to view his collection* Go d bless America!

[mcmutter]

Charleton Heston continues to r.ot in he//

[wm1066]

Come to think of it Tombstone Arizona circa 1880 had tougher gun laws then present day Phoenix. Wyatt Earp was attempting to disarm the Clantons at the OK Corral in persuant of local gun laws. But we got to see some fool walking the streets of Phoenix with a gun when the President went there a few months ago.

[escribacat]

I still don't get why that was allowed.

[mackbolan]

you don't know much about your rights do you....

[baba2nde]

By omitting the year(s) the data was compiled, this becomes a perfect case study in how to lie with statistics.

[mazzetta]

by denying reality you lie

everybody can check that that rates are real and inside well known historical trends in different countries, countries with less guns round enjoy less crime and less murders, that's beyond the obvious you can't deny it

[BlueOnBlue]

Once again, I'm weary to the bone about this issue. The gun lobby wins.

We have decided that it's OK to lose thousands of lives a year in order to perpetuate a truly stupid reading of an amendment written by men in tights and powdered wigs who were experienced only with muskets.

The argument is over. Stupid won.

[MaxPowerXP]

"Hi, my name is BlueOnBlue and I feel that governments and criminals ought to be armed exclusively, because your rights make me personally uncomforta­ble."

Wonder where that quote about sacrificing liberty for a sense of security that everyone was so fond of around 2002 went to....

[Paula Ann]

if anyone can explain how to get all the illegally owned guns rounded up in this country, perhaps gun control would work. in lieu, i reccommend harsh (capital )punishment when a gun is used (doesn't have to even be shot)in the commission of ANY crime. if we can't get rid of guns, make their use in crimes costly to the criminal.

[Johnowen]

Wouldn't it be nice to live in a country where people don't carry guns around, universal health care for all, innocent people don't get killed by a state judiciary system, people over the age of 60 can travel on buses , and use public swimming pools for free, where there is quality TV where political views have to be truly fair and balanced with no interruptions while somebody wants to sell you something. Where people are free from the paranoia that the state is going to take away perceived freedoms for the few and give it to the many.

Just sayin'

RIP Tommy Reeve http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/07/thomas-reeve-amarillo?CMP=AFCYAH who came to the States on holiday, stopped off at Amarillo, because he liked the song "Is this the way to Amarillo" and was shot while having a beer.

[Waltfl]

North Korea is that country.

[Johnowen]

I don't think so. Read ALL of the post

[Furby2]

Canada's pretty close to being that country, except for the free buses and pools for the over 60.

[deluk]

Thats Britain, we have the free buses, but not the pools.

[MaxPowerXP]

So basically, you're saying a state where the government and criminals are armed exclusively, UHC is in place, and you can only broadcast what the government decides is "fair and balanced" is utopia eh? I suggest moving to Cuba.

[Johnowen]

Where I live the Government does not control the press. It is a free press. The TV has left wing views as well as right wing views. The Government is not popular and can be voted out. The police protect the people, but by and large they do not need protecting because there are not many people pretending to be cowboys. Tragedies do happen in my country, but I am free from the fear of someone shooting me. I do not want to live in a repressive state or in a state that where people who claim to be law abiding citizens need to carry guns

Not all socialism is bad. Not all of it is good. It is the same as capitalism. It has its good points, but there are also drawbacks. You have to have measures to assist the less able, the physical and mentally disabled and those who live in areas where there is little work. You also need incentives in order to make changes and improvements in life.

To say go and live in Cuba or North Korea is as stupid as saying go and live in a right wing country. Totalitarian states of any political hue are wrong.

[khanti]

Man's dream of an Utopian city never came true but his nigntmare of a Nuclear Holocaust is just a step from reality.

[MaxPowerXP]

...by people who learn all their science from TV miniseries, yes

[thrdr]

This slideshow is informative, but it's also a bit too broad. There is a big difference between a hunting rifle and a handgun.

Some guns can arguably have some sort of legitimate use within the context of a civil society; the real problem in the U.S. is with handguns--­comparativ­ely cheap, easy to use, easy to carry and conceal devices specifically designed to kill people. Get rid of the "right" to carry such a murder weapon and you'll see the murder rate drop.

[djcrsn]

THere is a right to selfdefense whereever you are, and handguns are efficent tools for that

[MaxPowerXP]

There is no difference whatsoever. Let me guess, you're one of those people who feel "assault weapons" are more dangerous than a deer rifle, aren't you.

I'm glad you've come up with a viable solution for this problem though; when inner city dope dealers are forced to go the black market to get their firearms, all will be peachy-keen.

Oh wait, they already do that.

[shamanbart]

The statistics under the photos seem to point to a clear reason why there are higher rates of gun violence -- countries with low rates of poverty, strong social safety net and reasonable gun control laws have fewer gun violence.

I think poverty, hopelessness, and unemployment are a much greater factor than gun laws. Look at the Mexican gun laws -- theoretically strict (probably not so much in practice, who knows? -- but their gun violence rate is higher even than the U.S. As for Europe and Canada -- gun laws vary, but their poverty rate and social structure are favorable, so much less gun murder.

2nd amendment is there to stay -- just eliminate the more extreme weapons please -- and then let's concentrate on fixing the real problem -- Capitalism.

[sherwoodforest]

No country is more poverty stricken than South Africa-

[MaxPowerXP]

Name any of the "more extreme weapons". I dare you.

[GirlFriday123]

All you have to do is look at the differences in the States.

Look at TX and VT for example, probably similar number of guns per capita (you can buy a gun at a yard sale in VT), but the crime differences are huge.

[sherwoodforest]

Yes, and VT benefits from better schools too. And it has Massachusetts with it's strict gun control laws to buffer it.
TX has nutty governors and bible belt rationality- so you are right- nothing would help them much

[randyjet]

It is amazing that the country with the most firearms, Switzerland has one of the lowest death rates by firearms. By the way, the rifle pictured is probably NOT semi-automatic. It is a full machine gun if it is used for military purposes. One would think that the more guns that crooks would be more fearful of being not only caught, but shot.

[Waltfl]

It's a full-auto SIG550, or Sturmgewehr 90 in 5,56 x 45 mm.

[vascopyjama]

Yes but Switzerland doesn't have the right to arm bears.

[Waltfl]

They do

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffengesetz_(Schweiz)

[djcrsn]

there is a very strong hunting and marksmenship tradition is Switzerland--try doing your research

[tiredofthesameoldstuff]

You are apparently unaware that those citizens who are allowed to have those in Switzerland are in the milita. They have go to drills, have no criminal record, show they have the weapons, they cannot sell them basically they have regulations up the wazoo.

The US has far more guns then people yet we have one of the highest murder rates in the world. There are as many gun shops in fact more gun shops then gas stations.

Switzerland in it's gun shops now to buy a weapon you have to a weapons permit that only allows the user to buy one gun with that permit. To buy an additional weapon they have to apply for another permit and go through all gov't regulations to get it.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,480545,00.html

[MaxPowerXP]

You want to know why? Spend less time looking at the difference between Swiss and American gun laws, and more on the effects of American drug laws and you'll have it.