First if all Im not pro or anti gun but am very experienced in working with stats, studies, graphs etc. this is an extremely manipulative chart that does not hold up to any scrutiny. First note the categories used - they range from the very specific to the very broad - apples to oranges. Lets rake the gun category - "firearm homicides" - An interesting term that caught my attention. Does this stat include accidental deaths because some kids were playing with guns?? Or did those numbers end up in catagory 2 accidental injuries?? Note it did not say "gun related deaths or injuries" a "homicide" is very specific.
The tobacco category on the other hand is extremely vague - these are obviously not just deaths when someone kicks the bucket with a cig in the hand!! I dont smoke anything, but have looked into these numbers in the past and they are completely bogus. Includes all sorts of major assumptions and third and fourth hand deaths. I think many smokers in the audience would argue to the smoking numbers are complete bogus numbers whipped up by a very overly intrusive government conspiracy to take away our right to do what we want with our bodies - smoke.
Take also the false logic of the conclusion. Since guns are lowers on the list we should do nothing about them. This is a simple logistical error / trick in the same category as the "slippery slope" - ie first they will take away your 100 round clips and next zombies and the UN will rule the world. I debated in college and studied debate logic so it's always funny to see these embarrassing trucks being used to try and manipulate poor folks who don't know any better.
We should do nothing about firearms because they are lower on the list? Thats "bad logic". Ok then, lets not try and do anything about medical errors or drug use either - that smart? In your opinion what would be an acceptable number of gun homicides each year?
Always beware of studies and stats - I can prove just about anything under the sun with a quick graph and a few stats. BUYER BEWARE !!
