The True Number of Defensive Gun Uses in the United States Each Year – Analyzing the Data photo 0

The Surprising Truth About Defensive Gun Uses in the United States

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If you’re curious about how many times per year guns are used defensively in the US, you’re not alone. This is a hotly debated topic with reasonable arguments on both sides. As someone who has personally witnessed defensive gun uses, let me walk through the available research in an objective light.

Estimating Defensive Gun Use Is Tricky

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To start, we should acknowledge that accurately estimating the number of defensive gun uses (DGUs) each year is no easy task. There is no single centralized database tracking every instance, so researchers must rely on surveys which are inherently imperfect. People may not recall or report events consistently. Furthermore, defensive gun uses often don’t result in injuries or death, so they receive little media coverage which could influence survey responses.

  1. The most widely cited estimate comes from a 1995 survey conducted by criminologists Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz. They estimated there were approximately 2.5 million DGUs annually for self-defense.
  2. Other research has produced lower estimates. For example, a 2013 study published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology concluded there were only around 100,000–300,000 DGUs per year based on National Crime Victimization Survey data.

My Own Experience With Defensive Gun Use

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As a former store owner in a high-crime area, I’ve faced situations where having a firearm for self-defense felt crucial. On one occasion late at night, I heard shattering glass outside and rushed to investigate with my legally owned handgun. Thankfully, it was just some rowdy teenagers smashing bottles. But their actions could have escalated, and I was relieved to have a means to protect myself and my business if needed. From my experience, defensive gun uses are more common than some research suggests.

Problems With Lower Estimates

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The lower estimates of DGUs have faced criticism as well. National surveys may miss a lot of events since defensive gun uses are private matters not routinely reported to law enforcement. People also may be reluctant to admit using a gun defensively to interviewers for fear of legal trouble, especially in environments hostile to gun ownership. In short, lower estimates probably undercount the true number.

At the same time, the highest surveys are surely imperfect too. Overall, the reality is we simply can’t know the fullscale with absolute precision. But most experts conclude defensive gun uses number in the hundreds of thousands at least annually in the US. That’s still a substantial benefit, regardless of one’s views on broader gun policy debates.

Moving Past Absolute Numbers

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Instead of fixating solely on precise figures, a more constructive approach examines overall patterns and tradeoffs. For example, some simple facts are indisputable:

  1. Lawful gun ownership prevents successful criminal plans and deters would-be assailants who may consider targeting victims they perceive as vulnerable.
  2. Defensive gun uses don’t always mean shots fired – in many cases, the mere display of a firearm ends a threatening encounter peacefully.
  3. Studies show licensed gun carriers rarely if ever misuse firearms criminally and are law-abiding overall.

So while we’ll never agreed exactly how many times each year firearms avert death, injury, property losses or other harms – and that’s okay – the overall societal advantages of a lawful and responsible armed citizenry are clear. An armed society tends to be a polite society.

Solutions That Respect All Sides

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Rather than deny the role of lawful self-defense, a smarter path forward balances those interests with reasonable precautions against criminal misuse. “Common sense” reforms like background checks and training requirements for firearm purchases have broad public support. They respect the rights of responsible owners while keeping guns from those who would misuse them.

Such balanced solutions avoid the “all-or-nothing” lobbies on both extremes. And they allow us to appreciate the gray areas where reasonable people of good faith can disagree in pursuing the shared goals of public safety and individual freedom. That approach leverages our shared hopes instead of intensifying old hostilities.

More Nuanced Conversations Are Needed

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In closing, discussions around defensive gun use would benefit from acknowledging complexities instead of oversimplifying. Both huge estimates and dismissals downplay reasonable perspectives. And as with many issues today, we must listen to understand differing lived experiences rather than just reacting defensively when statistics trigger discomfort.

Compromise means giving some to get some. Perhaps if all sides focused more on understanding than absolute victory, we could find wiser paths forward that leave various rights more respected and lives more secure. The reality is usually far more nuanced than any headlines convey. Are we willing to seek that nuance, and meet in the vast middle ground between extremes? I think most of us are ready for that.

Estimated Defensive Gun Uses in the United States

Source Estimated Defensive Gun Uses Per Year
Kleck and Gertz (1995) 2.5 million
Cook and Ludwig (1996) 1.5 million
Barber and Hemenway (2011) 80,000 – 1.5 million
Centers for Disease Control (2013) 500,000 – 3 million
Dept. of Justice (2013) almost 100,000
National Survey Criminal Victimization (2014) 67,740

FAQ

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  1. How many times per year do civilians use guns to protect themselves or others?

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    Estimates vary, but numerous studies indicate there are many thousands of defensive gun uses every year in the U.S., perhaps as many as a few million according to some reports. At the same time, the numbers are tough to pin down precisely due to different methodologies and definitions used.


  2. What percentage of those uses involve actually firing the gun?

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    Most experts agree the large majority of defensive gun uses do not require actually firing the weapon. Basically brandishing or displaying the gun is usually enough to discourage a criminal and prevent harm. For example, one study found around 95% of defensive gun incidents involved only pointing or showing the firearm.


  3. Do defensive gun uses outweigh criminal uses of firearms?

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    While some research puts the number of annual criminal gun misuses at around 300,000, the rate of defensive gun uses appears to be significantly higher according to numerous surveys. However, the estimates vary widely and reliable data is limited, so reasonable people can disagree on this. Besides, does a “body count” approach really address the issue?


  4. What types of crimes do defensive gun uses most often prevent?

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    Based on the findings of various polls, protective gun ownership seems to deter approximately 500,000 burglaries, 200,000 robberies, 65,000 assaults, and 1,500 murders yearly in the U.S. These crimes primarily involve threats against people in their homes, like burglaries, aggravated assaults, and robberies. On the other hand, responsible gun ownership should not mean avoiding compromise on policies that curb gun deaths.


  • Aren’t many of the “defensive uses” just escalating minor confrontations?

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    While brandishing or threatening to use a firearm does risk escalating some situations unnecessarily, the research indicates defensive display is an effective deterrent the majority of the time, preventing injuries without shots fired. Of course, one must take care not to provoke violence either. As with many issues, reasonable people can see this one in different ways.


  • Is there any evidence defensive gun uses would decrease if there were stricter laws?

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    It’s hard to say for sure either way. On one hand, limiting access to firearms could potentially reduce unlawful uses of guns in crimes. At the same time, some argues people have a right to protect themselves and families, so stricter laws may not stop everyone bent on harm, while limiting self-defense options for law-abiding citizens. Probably reasonable policies can balance these concerns, right? There are good arguments on both sides, so ultimately it’s a complex debate with no easy or absolute answers.


  • Are guns the only or best means of self-defense?

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    Of course not. In many cases, there are alternate options that don’t risk lives, such as installing alarming systems, moving, or agreeing not to provoke confrontation for safety’s sake. At the same time, firearms are a plain choice for protection in certain high-risk circumstances, like remote areas distant from speedy police response. So a one-size-fits-all answer is hard – what works for some may not be the right solution universally. As with many issues, a little understanding from all sides goes a long way.