Buckeye Reporter

The New York Times has introduced an online, interactive tool designed to help readers understand the importance of self-defense, particularly in the home. The tool accompanies an article titled “This Is How Close We Live to Gun Violence,” which maps every homicide involving a firearm in the United States since 2020.

According to the Times' research, approximately 47 million Americans live within a quarter-mile of these crime scenes, a significant increase from pre-pandemic figures. The report did not account for increased criminal activity during and after the pandemic or consider policies advocating for reduced police funding. It did, however, list cities with high percentages of residents living near murder scenes.

An accompanying article included interviews with emergency room doctors treating victims of gun violence. The Times suggested that increased gun ownership contributes to violent disputes becoming deadly but did not establish a direct link between lawful gun ownership and criminal activities.

Rob Morse from Shooting News Weekly noted that there is no correlation between lawful gun ownership and murder rates. He stated, “Say what you will — and the gun banners certainly will — but the data doesn’t show a correlation of gun ownership and murder rates.” Morse added that his analysis found no significant effect of civilian gun ownership on murder rates across various countries.

Background checks for firearm sales surged in 2020 to over 21.5 million from 13.2 million in 2019, coinciding with pandemic lockdowns and increased crime rates. This trend continued with millions more background checks in subsequent years.

The New York Times' interactive tool allows users to input their address to see nearby fatal shootings from 2020 to 2023. For example, entering "1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW" shows at least 794 fatal shootings in Washington D.C., highlighting the potential need for personal defense measures.

Washington D.C.'s Attorney General Brian Schwalb emphasized prevention over prosecution as a long-term safety strategy: “We cannot prosecute and arrest our way out of it.”

For residents in areas with lower crime rates, such as Bangs, Texas (which reported no fatal shootings between 2020 and 2023), this tool might still be useful for understanding local safety dynamics.

The interactive tool by The New York Times aims to provide valuable information for citizens considering self-defense options amid varying levels of community safety.

Republished with permission from NSSF.

Become a member of Buckeye Firearms Association and support grassroots efforts to defend your rights!