Piers Morgan keep throwing out the "gun murders" number as being higher in the USA than the UK. This is true.
However, apparently Morgan only cares if people are killed by guns...he has no problem with more "benign killings" such as with clubs, or beating the victim to death, or hammers, or throwing the victim off a building.
Here are some facts re: crime statistics in the USA versus UK and some other countries, that may come handy the next time we meet our favourite low-information guy or gal.
Consider this link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...73/UK-is-violent-crime-capital-of-Europe.html
Below is an excerpt from the article above:
" A breakdown of the statistics, which were compiled into league tables by the Conservatives, revealed that violent crime in the UK had increased from 652,974 offences in 1998 to more than 1.15 million crimes in 2007.
It means there are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the UK, making it the most violent place in Europe.
Austria is second, with a rate of 1,677 per 100,000 people, followed by Sweden, Belgium, Finland and Holland.
By comparison, America has an estimated rate of 466 violent crimes per 100,000 population.
France recorded 324,765 violent crimes in 2007 – a 67 per cent increase in the past decade – at a rate of 504 per 100,000 population.
"
Another useful link is here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ry-Europe-Britain-worse-South-Africa-U-S.html
The table in the article, shown here (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/02/article-1196941-05900DF7000005DC-677_468x636.jpg) indicates the US has lower violent crime rates than all the countries in the table.
In terms of HOMICIDES per capita, there are many factors that affect the rate. These factors include the percentage of youth in the population, the overall cultural heterogeneity (diversity) of the population, what is defined as a homicide, how accurate the government numbers are, etc. This is why, for example, Japan, with an ageing population and very homogeneous culture has very low homicide rates. Switzerland, with an older population and homogeneous culture also has a very low murder rate.
Japan has draconian gun laws, Switzerland has a heavily armed civilian populace with a select fire rifle in many households.
For example check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate
By my estimate, USA murder rate is about 4.5 per 100,000 and UK is about 2. If we cater for all other factors that may influence the murder rate and take them out of the estimation, we end up with very similar homicide rates in the USA and other developed countries. The USA has a very diverse culture and population, which is relatively youthful.
It is true, that GUN murders are more in the USA, but that is only because guns are available. If guns were removed from the USA, the overall murder rate would not go down...rather it would go up...though the GUN MURDER rate would go down.
I don't think the victims care HOW they were killed.
Though some folks may say they'd rather be shot to death than beaten to death.
Bottom line:
UK is 5 times more violent than USA (where violent means crimes like rapes and beatings that can put you in hospital and change your life).
Gun murder rate in USA is much higher than UK.
Murder rate in USA is about the same as UK, once other factors have been accounted for.
Hope this helps.
However, apparently Morgan only cares if people are killed by guns...he has no problem with more "benign killings" such as with clubs, or beating the victim to death, or hammers, or throwing the victim off a building.
Here are some facts re: crime statistics in the USA versus UK and some other countries, that may come handy the next time we meet our favourite low-information guy or gal.
Consider this link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...73/UK-is-violent-crime-capital-of-Europe.html
Below is an excerpt from the article above:
" A breakdown of the statistics, which were compiled into league tables by the Conservatives, revealed that violent crime in the UK had increased from 652,974 offences in 1998 to more than 1.15 million crimes in 2007.
It means there are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the UK, making it the most violent place in Europe.
Austria is second, with a rate of 1,677 per 100,000 people, followed by Sweden, Belgium, Finland and Holland.
By comparison, America has an estimated rate of 466 violent crimes per 100,000 population.
France recorded 324,765 violent crimes in 2007 – a 67 per cent increase in the past decade – at a rate of 504 per 100,000 population.
"
Another useful link is here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ry-Europe-Britain-worse-South-Africa-U-S.html
The table in the article, shown here (http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/02/article-1196941-05900DF7000005DC-677_468x636.jpg) indicates the US has lower violent crime rates than all the countries in the table.
In terms of HOMICIDES per capita, there are many factors that affect the rate. These factors include the percentage of youth in the population, the overall cultural heterogeneity (diversity) of the population, what is defined as a homicide, how accurate the government numbers are, etc. This is why, for example, Japan, with an ageing population and very homogeneous culture has very low homicide rates. Switzerland, with an older population and homogeneous culture also has a very low murder rate.
Japan has draconian gun laws, Switzerland has a heavily armed civilian populace with a select fire rifle in many households.
For example check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate
By my estimate, USA murder rate is about 4.5 per 100,000 and UK is about 2. If we cater for all other factors that may influence the murder rate and take them out of the estimation, we end up with very similar homicide rates in the USA and other developed countries. The USA has a very diverse culture and population, which is relatively youthful.
It is true, that GUN murders are more in the USA, but that is only because guns are available. If guns were removed from the USA, the overall murder rate would not go down...rather it would go up...though the GUN MURDER rate would go down.
I don't think the victims care HOW they were killed.
Though some folks may say they'd rather be shot to death than beaten to death.
Bottom line:
UK is 5 times more violent than USA (where violent means crimes like rapes and beatings that can put you in hospital and change your life).
Gun murder rate in USA is much higher than UK.
Murder rate in USA is about the same as UK, once other factors have been accounted for.
Hope this helps.
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