An interesting paper to read
 

A long but interesting paper to read.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/...useronline.pdf

I'm particularly fond of this footnote...

(1) Those who propose to change the status quo bear the burden of proving
that change is a good idea; (2) those who propose a new policy bear the burden of
proving that the policy is a good idea; and (3) in a free society those who propose to
abolish a personal liberty passionately valued by millions bear the burden of proving
that abolishment is a good idea.

Jerry

I've just started, it takes me some time so I printed it.
It is an interesting reading, thanks a lot for sharing.

The study is from Spring, 2007 by Don B. Kates and Gary Mauser. It is a good response to all the anti-gun mantras about availability of guns and suicide. The study confirms internationally that there is no relationship. People that want to kill themselves simply find another means.

Marc

Even if firearms availability does not affect the rate of attempts, they do, however, have the greatest success rate of all the methods. Check out the Department of Justice statistics and you'll see some interesting things. It turns out that more people are killed with "hands, feet, body parts" than the dreaded "assault rifle". Statistically, one of the eleven thousand people you know will be ushered into the hereafter with a firearm.