Crime Statistics: Or why is self-defense an issue?

The next time someone tells you that the ability to defend yourself is not an important issue, tell them it is not a pointless issue to the vicitms of crime.

National Crime Victimization survey, 2003:

• 198,850 rapes/sexual assaults
• 1,101,110 Agravated Assualts
• 3,505,630 Simple Assaults
• 16,420 murders

During 2003, 76% of all violent crime incidents were committed by an UNarmed offender; 14% of crime was committed by an armed offender using something other than a firearm, while 7% was committed by an offender with a firearm. (And people still claim that guns cause crime.)

We live in a violent society, and I have the right to defend myself. But if you take away effective means, then you have taken away that right.