One incident = good data set?
No. I posted a story in a guns thread about the good use of a gun.
It's no more a "good data set" than an article about an incident where guns are used to murder people is for arguing against gun ownership. You're just as quick to make the same statement when someone posts those articles, right?![]()
That angle would have some merit if there weren't 10,000 articles (exaggeration I know, maybe, maybe not - I don't have the data) about a gun being used to kill an innocent for every 1 article there is about a gun being used by a civilian to save a life.
Over the last twenty years we've established a fairly decent data set of guns being used to kill innocents, although I'd concede coverage of negative incidents is highlighted whereas coverage of incidents like the one you posted don't get the same focus, which may skew the perception - but I'd argue it would be a minor skewing.
Well, the number of published articles (if we're talking news media) is poor evidence, anyway. They aren't scientifically based and are subject to sensationalism (which, as you noted, lead to negative incidents being highlighted).
But, when you have people on the Hype (or on other sites) making statements about how concealed weapons permit holders would make situations like the one described in the article worse, I find it useful to post articles like the one I did.
I see no harm in doing so.
CWP Holder Stops Shooter
http://wspa.com/2016/06/26/several-people-hurt-in-playoffz-nightclub-shooting/
1. Bad guy gets into an argument, gets mad, and starts firing into a crowd outside a nightclub, hitting three people.
2. Good guy with a concealed weapons permit, in the same crowd, draws his gun and returns fire, hitting bad guy in the leg.
3. Bad guy stops shooting.
That about sums it up.![]()
Here's a website that tracks instances of defensive gun use:
http://bearingarms.com/category/guns-saving-lives/
If you get past the clickbait-ish headlines (the website is known to have a sense of humor/fun with their headlines,) the articles actually do link to reputable local news sources where the incidents took place. For example, that headline you highlighted went to this link (http://wjtv.com/2016/06/24/shooting-investigation-on-lewis-st-in-jackson/) and it comes from the local news station. It tells what happened rationally but without the other website's headline.(Potential) Quality of their data aside, the headlines on that site read like satirical clickbait written by a teenager. As much merit as defensive gun use may possibly have in the context of increased public shootings, I have to ask myself what kind of country the USA has become when a site like that has headlines like "Baby Mama gets Shoved, but her Granny wasn't having it" in regard to defensive gun use. Fortunately the death toll in most of these incidents is relatively low considering firearms were involved, but it's still moderately disturbing.
At some stage we'll have to cut through the anti/pro-gun bull**** and someone's going to have to ask what the **** is wrong with the country instead of deflecting onto other issues.
My problem with the "good guy with a gun" bit is that owning a gun does not automatically make on the so called "good guy." Ownership does not make someone capable to handle an active shooter situation or a crisis situation.
That's not exactly true either since there are plenty of companies/ranges/gun shops that offer training in how to use guns in a defensive manner. I know a few people who became new gun owners or were long-time gun owners that went to them.Another shooter absolutely can stop a "bad guy," but no weekend warrior who bought a pistol at Bass Pro Shop is properly equipped or trained to actually handle an active shooter situation.
I was late for work this morning and risked running through heavy traffic to cross the road outside my office.
It was fine.![]()
Well then how bout next weekend, try taking that bike out and riding around at the gun range, see if that goes as well
such a dumb, false-equivocating, unrelated-to-the-issue argument