Commentary: Gun deaths in America is all about access to them. In Japan, with about ½ our population, they average a total of 10-gun homicides per year, whereas in the U.S. there were 15,500 in 2017. Japan has stricter gun laws than we do—but it demonstrates what can be done when the access is limited. In countries like Germany, South Korea and United Kingdom their gun deaths per 100,000 people are like Japan. Even in Canada (our neighbor to the north) the homicide rate is eight times less than in the U.S.
The argument that what you need is a good guy with a gun to take care of a bad guy with a gun is total BS. A deranged teenager in Santa Fe, Texas had access to guns at his home because the parents did not secure them. Consequently, he killed eight students, two teachers and injured 13, because a girl spurned him. One of the injured was a guard, who challenged the shooter and probably prevented more deaths. However, the good guy with the gun couldn’t prevent the initial slaughter. A determined shooter with lethal weapons will generally have the advantage.
When can we begin having a serious discussion about lowering gun homicides in the U.S.?