A recent study by the Cato Institute, led by historian Clayton E. Cramer and activist David Burnett, sheds light on the often-overlooked side of gun usage in America: self-defense cases. Their research estimates that defensive gun uses range from tens of thousands to as high as 2 million incidents per year, challenging the common narrative centered on gun-related crimes.
The study, titled “Tough Targets: When Criminals Face Armed Resistance From Citizens,” examines a sample of 5,000 cases from newspaper reports between 2003 and 2011. The authors argue that these figures likely undercount actual instances, especially those where firearms are not fired. They conclude that many violent crimes, including murders and assaults, have been prevented through armed resistance, presenting a nuanced view of gun ownership that emphasizes its potential benefits in safeguarding law-abiding citizens.
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