Defensive gun use
Defensive gun use (DGU) is the use of a firearm in self-defense or defense of others. The frequency of defensive firearms incidents, and their effectiveness in ensuring safety and reducing crime is a controversial issue in gun politics and criminology.[1]: 64 Different authors and studies employ different criteria for what constitutes a defensive gun use, which at times leads to controversy in comparing statistical results. Perceptions of the number of DGUs dominate discussions over gun rights, gun control, and concealed carry laws.
Estimates of frequency
Estimates over the number of defensive gun uses vary wildly, depending on the study's population, criteria, and other factors. Higher end estimates by Kleck and Gertz cite between 1 to 2.5 million DGUs in the United States each year.[1]: 64–65 [2][3] Low end estimates by Hemenway cite approximately 55,000-80,000 such uses each year.[4][5] Middle estimates have estimated approximately 1 million DGU incidents.[6][1]: 65
See also
External links
References
- ^ a b c Harry L. Wilson, Guns, Gun Control, And Elections: The Politics And Policy of Firearms, ISBN 0742553485, Rowman & Littlefield, 2007.
- ^ J.N. Schulman, Guns, Crimes and Self-defense, Orange County Reg., Sept. 19, 1993, at 3.
- ^ Gary Kleck & Marc Gertz, 86 J. Crim. L. & Criminology 150 (1995).
- ^ David Hemenway, Chance, Vol 10, No. 3, 1997.
- ^ Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (Northwestern) 87 (1997): 1430.
- ^ Tom W. Smith, Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (Northwestern) 87 (1997): 1462.
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