• Hobbes@startrek.website
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    6 months ago

    We really need a new definition for these because it doesn’t line up with how people think about them, and as a result the stats are easy to ignore.

    • Death_Equity@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      The point is to lump school shootings and terrorist shootings in with random personal dispute shootings and gang violence shootings.

      That way you hear about all these mass shootings and think that ~30,000 firearms deaths per year are mass shootings instead of ~2/3 suicides, ~500 “accidental”, ~1,500 police, and up to 80% of the remainder being hood business. Actual mass shootings are a tiny number of firearms deaths and they are the poster child for the problem.

      The majority of firearms deaths can be solved with healthcare reform, economic reform, and rebuilding the American community.

    • Katana314@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      When the language doesn’t fit the mold, I admit the first impression is to get them excluded. But even when gangs only intend to hurt each other, it’s very easy for them to kill innocent bystanders.

      I’m adamant that things like suicides should not be excluded from gun statistics. Many people who’ve attempted via knives/pills have survived, and gone on to say they regret their attempt and bounced back.