The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: JLawson on January 06, 2012, 12:53:19 PM

Title: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: JLawson on January 06, 2012, 12:53:19 PM
The United States of America is ranked #1 in the number of civilian firearms per 100 residents (given as 89).  This is from the Small Arms Survey: Research Notes #9 report published in September 2011.  Among other sources, this report references a survey from 2007 - pre-Obama - so the numbers given for US ownership are sure to be lower than current tallies.  Figure 1 of the report shows that almost 75% of all firearms in the world are owned by civilians (650 million weapons out of approximately 875 million).  Figure 2 of the report shows that civilian ownership in the US is greater than all of the other "Top 10" nations combined!

This report, and others, can be found at http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/?id=417 (http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/?id=417).  I'm not sure about this organization's political posture but their data can be food for thought... or discussion.

(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z442/JLinTX/OwnershipbyCategory.gif)

(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z442/JLinTX/CivilianOwnershipbyCountry.gif)

Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: jnevis on January 06, 2012, 01:04:41 PM
I find it interesting that India is #2 and China is #3.

The numbers may be a little misleading though:
Do guns owned by cartels, mobs, and terrorists count as "civilian arms"? ???
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: JLawson on January 06, 2012, 01:12:35 PM
Do guns owned by cartels, mobs, and terrorists count as "civilian arms"?

I'm not sure who is included, but Figure 1 does mention "non-state armed groups" estimated to own 1.1 - 1.8 million weapons.

Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 06, 2012, 01:31:16 PM
It also lists "gangs" 2-10 million.
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: MikeBjerum on January 06, 2012, 01:39:29 PM
I'm not sure who is included, but Figure 1 does mention "non-state armed groups" estimated to own 1.1 - 1.8 million weapons.



The most dangerous words to come out of a person's mouth after reading statistics - "I don't know, but ..."

Confusion is the first goal of an attack!
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: JLawson on January 06, 2012, 01:59:43 PM
No attacks here... just trying to interpret some published material.  Bouncing ideas back and forth.  If you know the answer to jnevis' question then let us know.

Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: Pathfinder on January 06, 2012, 05:37:00 PM
If I weren't so unemployed at the moment, I would be doing my best to solidify the US' lead in gun ownership!!

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: sledgemeister on January 06, 2012, 08:15:12 PM
Interestingly it doesnt have Australian Statistics in that report.
Apparently we are ranked about 25th with about 15 firearms for every 100 people (civilians).
Well I think its safe to say I have enough firearms based on that number for a couple a thousand or so fellow Australians,  ;) so screw you Rebecca Peters and the other anti gun wankers!. Bring it!
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: twyacht on January 06, 2012, 08:21:17 PM
Interestingly it doesnt have Australian Statistics in that report.
Apparently we are ranked about 25th with about 15 firearms for every 100 people (civilians).
Well I think its safe to say I have enough firearms based on that number for a couple a thousand or so fellow Australians,  ;) so screw you Rebecca Peters and the other anti gun wankers!. Bring it!


We know darn good and well sledge,....if it truly becomes a zombie apocalypse, there are more guns buried in Taz, and Aus. than one could even imagine.... I speak to enough crew on yachts that have an Uncle, or a Grandfather, that told the gun grabbers, (insert expletive).....

Ol' Beca Peters, didn't get to everyone,,....and the buggers wisely buried aplenty in the "outback".....



Good for them....
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: MikeBjerum on January 06, 2012, 08:31:08 PM
No attacks here... just trying to interpret some published material.  Bouncing ideas back and forth.  If you know the answer to jnevis' question then let us know.



Not referring to you or any others on here.  Referring to our current administration and how they handle us.

When playing football the offense tries to confuse the defense so they can make yards or score; in a war you try to confuse your enemy anyway you can so you can over run them; and in politics you confuse the public so they will won't see you taking away your freedoms.

Pie charts that look like they contain facts but only confuse matters will keep everyone uneasy with us that own guns  >:(
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: fightingquaker13 on January 06, 2012, 08:49:29 PM
I found that the correct response is "I don't doubt your math (even if you do, but if you start arguing numbers you're already playing their game). Instead ask: But what does it mean? Is this indicative of a lack of freedom in other countries? Why are the countries with the most guns, the US, India and China politically stable? What is the significance of all this"? And then let them mumble.
FQ13
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 06, 2012, 11:03:40 PM
Nothing on Switzerland either, they should be 1st  Percentage wise.
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: JLawson on January 06, 2012, 11:32:14 PM
This table provides data for all of the countries listed in the report.  It turns out that Switzerland is #3 when ranked by ownership rate.  This table provides a different view of the data than does Figure 2.  The table shows civilian ownership per 100 residents with no consideration given to country population.  Figure 2, however, shows the total of all firearms owned by civilians in each country.  So a very densely populated nation, even if it has a relatively low ownership rate, may have a larger overall total of weapons.

(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z442/JLinTX/OwnershipTable.gif)
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: Tyler Durden on January 06, 2012, 11:39:56 PM
how exactly do you do a survey of gang members and drug cartel members?

walk around in Compton with a clipboard and a pen going door to door?

Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: fightingquaker13 on January 06, 2012, 11:51:46 PM
This is where I break my first rule and question the math. Lets take Mexico. Its damned near impossible to legally own anything larger than a .22. So, how did they get their numbers? A phone survey? Same deal in Pakistan. You can't legally own a gun. The government just has a fluid agreement (aka self preservation) not to enforce it in the tribal areas. How do they know how many guns are owned? While I'm sure that in Yemen the government has just given up on gun registration, and good for them, I doubt they can track the number. Here in the US, and the European and other civilized ( :'() countries you can get data from manufacturers based on the numbers of guns sold. In these other places I'm betting it comes down to a WAG, but still, if we carry the two its math, see? ::)
FQ13
Title: Re: The USA is #1... but we already knew that
Post by: MikeBjerum on January 07, 2012, 09:59:48 AM
how exactly do you do a survey of gang members and drug cartel members?

walk around in Compton with a clipboard and a pen going door to door?



Same can be said for forum members  >:(