Updated: May 24, 2019
Originally Published: May 24, 2019
A close acquaintance of mine endured years of harassment from a stalker while living alone. Fear for her life was a constant companion, and when legal measures, including restraining orders, failed to provide her with a sense of security, she turned to a firearm. Although she never had to use it, the mere presence of the gun offered her some solace during those harrowing times.
While I personally abhor firearms, I can empathize with her choice; after all, the desire to feel secure in one’s own home is universal. However, it’s crucial to recognize the inherent dangers that accompany gun ownership. Research indicates that having a firearm at home typically does not enhance safety. In fact, the presence of a gun can actually increase the likelihood of harm to you, your family, and your guests — and the statistics are alarming.
According to data, 67% of Americans cite “protection” as their primary reason for gun ownership, yet studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveal that a firearm in the house can elevate the risk of homicide by 40 to 170% and the risk of suicide by 90 to 460%. Additionally, adults living in homes with firearms face a 3.7 times greater chance of dying from accidental shootings compared to those in gun-free households.
In a comprehensive study analyzing fatal and non-fatal shootings across three cities, researchers found that for every instance where a firearm was used defensively, there were four unintentional shootings, seven criminal assaults or homicides, and a staggering eleven suicide attempts or completions. This means that for every one time a gun was wielded for protection, there were a total of 22 other incidents that had nothing to do with safety.
Gun culture in the United States is such that we often overlook the lethal potential of these weapons. With more guns than people in the country, and a concerning level of negligence surrounding their storage, the risks multiply. Approximately 40% of Americans either own guns or live in households with firearms, and within that group, 38% report that a gun is loaded and easily accessible at all times.
Among homes with children under 18, one-third possess firearms, and shockingly, 43% of these admit to having their guns unlocked and loaded. This is simply unacceptable. Every day, preventable shootings occur due to guns that are not stored properly.
Take the case of the Johnson family, who tragically lost their 3-year-old son, Alex, in 2012 when his father, an active-duty police officer, carelessly left a loaded firearm on a nightstand. In mere moments, Alex found the weapon and accidentally shot himself.
Or consider the heartbreaking incident in which 6-year-old Lily was fatally shot by her younger brother, who discovered their mother’s loaded gun in the car console. Another painful example involves a pregnant woman shot in the face by her own child after finding a loaded gun under her mother’s bed.
These stories are not isolated; they happen all too frequently, yet we seem to shrug them off as unfortunate but inevitable consequences of gun ownership. Many of you who have guns may believe that such tragedies could never happen to you, that you are vigilant and responsible. But remember, those families thought the same, and now they bear immeasurable grief.
The truth is, having a firearm in your home does not equate to safety. If you feel strongly about keeping a gun for protection, it is vital to store it securely—unloaded and locked away, with ammunition kept separately. Additionally, enrolling in a gun safety course and regularly practicing your shooting skills are essential steps. However, if your primary concern is the safety of your loved ones, statistics suggest that the best course of action is simply to forgo having a gun altogether.
In conclusion, the risks associated with gun ownership often outweigh the perceived benefits. Protecting your family and ensuring their safety should always come first.
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