Recent remarks by Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who claimed that 97% of murders are committed with handguns, have been fact-checked by PolitiFact. In 2017, official data from the FBI indicates that handguns were involved in 46% of all homicides, a significant share but far from Kinzinger’s assertion. More broadly, firearms were used in over 70% of all murders that year, demonstrating that while handguns are the predominant type of firearm used, they do not account for the overwhelming majority of murders as stated by Kinzinger.
PolitiFact’s analysis reveals that even when factoring in ambiguous cases where the type of firearm wasn’t specified, handguns still only contributed to 82% of firearm-related murders. This nuanced data challenges the narrative surrounding gun violence, suggesting that while handguns are indeed a major concern, they are not the sole focus for addressing overall homicide rates. The discussion highlights the importance of accurately interpreting statistics in the ongoing debate about gun control and public safety.
Read full story at www.politifact.com
